We are vetting licensed captains and vessels in Outer Banks now. Tell us your preferred date and we will contact you as soon as a captain is available, or choose a nearby city with boats today.
Nearby on the Southeast & Mid-Atlantic
What to expect in Outer Banks
Your captain meets your group at the dock, takes you to the scattering spot, and gives you time for words, music, flowers or silence. Afterward, the captain records the coordinates of the scattering so your family always knows where it took place. Biodegradable urns and flowers can be ordered from our memorial store and delivered before your service.
Scattering rules in Outer Banks
Captain license
Not settled
None specific to scattering found; possible overlap with funeral service license
Inside Outer Banks waters
Allowed with conditions
Atlantic Ocean via Oregon Inlet or Hatteras Inlet; Albemarle, Roanoke, Croatan and Pamlico Sounds
Ocean
3+ nautical miles from land
Federal rule. Report to the EPA within 30 days.
Sounds are public waterways where state law allows scattering. Cape Hatteras National Seashore requires a park permit for scattering ashes on park land and waters (call Park HQ 252-473-2111); Pea Island NWR and Wright Brothers NM are federal too. Monitor National Marine Sanctuary (wreck site ~16 nm off Cape Hatteras) bans anchoring, stopping or drifting without power inside it - do not hold a ceremony there. Navy danger zones and Harvey Point restricted area in Albemarle/Pamlico Sounds (33 CFR 334.410, 334.412) and Marine Corps danger zones in Pamlico Sound (334.420). Gulf Stream is close off Hatteras, so 3 nm is a short run from the inlets. Dare County (Hyde County for Ocracoke).
Full North Carolina guide: permits, paperwork and sourcesLast checked October 15, 2026. A summary, not legal advice.
Questions families ask about Outer Banks
Are there burial at sea boats in Outer Banks?
We are vetting licensed, insured captains in Outer Banks, NC now. Tell us your preferred date through the contact page and we will reach out as soon as a captain is available, or choose a nearby city with boats today.
How far out do boats go for a burial at sea from Outer Banks?
In the ocean, ashes are scattered at least 3 nautical miles from land under the federal EPA rule, at any depth. From Outer Banks, boats head out to the Atlantic Ocean via Oregon Inlet or Hatteras Inlet. No permit is needed in advance; the captain reports the scattering to the EPA within 30 days.
Can ashes be scattered in the bay or harbor at Outer Banks?
North Carolina allows scattering from a boat over public waterways such as the sounds, rivers and the Intracoastal Waterway, once the ashes are out of their container. Some places, such as Cape Hatteras National Seashore, need their own park permit.
What do I need to bring for a burial at sea in North Carolina?
The ashes and the crematory release receipt. Your captain will confirm anything else they need before the day.
What can we put in the water with the ashes?
Only things that break down naturally: the ashes, loose flowers or petals, and a biodegradable water urn if you would like one. No plastic, balloons, wreath frames or glass. Biodegradable urns and flowers can be ordered from our memorial store before your service.
How do I book a burial at sea in Outer Banks?
Contact us with your preferred date and group size and we will let you know as soon as a captain in Outer Banks is available. Nearby cities with boats are listed above.