wilmington nc boat tours

July 4th Henrietta Cruise

Grab a seat and celebrate the 4th of July aboard the Henrietta! Our cruise will board at 6:30 pm and depart at 7 p.m. Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and purchase cold drinks from our bar as we cruise along the scenic Cape Fear River. Relax and enjoy the cruise from our open-air upper deck or our air-conditioned dining room. After returning to the dock, enjoy the perfect view to watch the downtown Wilmington fireworks from our deck. Come and celebrate with us!

1- Hour Narrated Sightseeing Cruise

Enjoy a relaxing hour on the historic Cape Fear River, one of North Carolina’s true treasures! This tour features the scenery and history both upriver and downriver from downtown Wilmington and is perfect for an afternoon or evening.

4-Hour Black River Nature Cruise

Head up river and see parts of North Carolina that are practically impossible to explore any other way. The Black River nature tour takes you through pristine coastal environments and features expert narration from local ecologist Andy Wood.

1.5 Hour Henrietta Sunset Cruise

Take our newest Henrietta out on the river for a 1 and-a-half hour Saturday sunset cruise! The on-board bar will be open and light snacks will be available. This cruise is all about relaxing and taking in the sites of downtown Wilmington with friends and family.

50-Minute Scenic Evening Cruise

A stunning sunset cruise on the Cape Fear River is the perfect way to begin your night. You never know which evening will produce the sunset of the year, what better place to experience it than on the water?

1-Hour Cape Fear River Sightseeing Cruise

1. Eagles Island 50 minute Narrated Boat Cruise

2. Sailing Charters in Wilmington

3. Sunset Sail Tour

4. Private Charter

5. 2 Hours Cocktail Sail Aboard Bella

6. Afternoon Sail

7. Classic Yacht Charter around Wrightsville Beach

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Myrtle Beach Dolphin Cruise

Sea Screamer Cruise - 2 Hour Dolphin Watch Tour in South Carolina

Private Kayak Tour in Oak Island

Wrightsville Beach Fishing Trips

Paddle Pub at Myrtle Beach

Private Guided Sailing in Wrightsville Beach

What travelers are saying.

• Eagles Island 50 minute Narrated Boat Cruise
• Sunset Sail Tour
• Sailing Charters in Wilmington
• 2 Hours Cocktail Sail Aboard Bella
• Afternoon Sail
• Cape Fear Riverboats
• Cape Fear Adventure Company
• Sail Wilmington NC

Capt. Charlie’s Adventures

NOTICE: We No Longer Fish

Sunset & Sunrise Cruises – Island Adventures – Family Boat Rides & Tours

Wilmington, NC – Carolina Beach, NC

If We Appear Booked Up Call Capt. Charlie About Multi Boat Tour Availability!

Reservations 910-262-3474

Maximum 6  Passenger’s, Call For a Second Boat for Additional Passengers .

Wilmington NC & Carolina Beach Family Boating Adventures

Captain Charlie’s Carolina Beach Adventure Trip’s

Children’s carolina beach boat ride.

Lets visit Shark’s Tooth Island, find and collect prehistoric sharks teeth and fossils. At Sand Dollar Flats we’ll search for Sand Dollars and we may even see a few Dolphin along the way. We can cruise to many historical and interesting places.

Carolina Beach Family Boat Outings

Sunset Cruises, Nature Trips, and Bird Watching are great family trips. We can visit Masonboro Island for shelling and swimming. At Carolina Beach NC, Island Hopping and Sightseeing Trips make great family adventures.

Adult Boating Activities Carolina Beach

We can visit various beaches, take in some great scenic views, disembark for a cocktail or two, while we enjoy some of the waterfront restaurants and bars. Wine Cruises, Ladies or Couples Day Out…. “What happens on the boat – stays on the boat”.

What To Bring

Bring adequate beverages; water, Gatorade, and snacks for the kids and yourself while we are cruising. Remember sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and appropriate footwear or water shoes for your activities. Remember your towels, bathing suits and covers for your trip.

Our Adventure Rates (for up to six passengers)

First hour $200

Each additional hour $125

We can also design a custom trip to fit your Specific needs…just call for details! Business meetings, island excursions, group activities, unique situations and getaways.

Reservations are required, so please call. Cash, MC, Visa accepted.

Call (910) 262-3474 For More Info!

George hanging at the dock this morning! He watches us work on our boats regularly! Good to have expert supervision! ... See More See Less

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Sundays trip with the Mershawn family produced a nice bucket full of clams and fun! And Mate Seth had a hoot teaching the adults! ... See More See Less

Thoughts on this matter! Talking with a medical scientist this week, he stated the first person to live to be 150 years old is now walking the earth! Scary, isn’t it! Blessing or boring? At my age I’m not really sure how I feel. Interesting thought though….., ... See More See Less

BB-55 Battleship NC leaving Brooklyn New York for Bayonne, New Jersey for Mothballing, then 1947 and now. ... See More See Less

Black River Cruise

Nature Lovers' Dream Cruise

Quick Details

• Clock Duration: 4 Hours
• Users Ages: All Ages

Wilmington Nature Cruise

We cruise up this wondrous river enjoying the variety of wildflowers, wildlife, and spectacular trees. Come on board and sit back and enjoy this narrated cruise. Bring your binoculars and cameras, and get ready for a memorable cruise.

The Black River is characterized by the meandering river and oxbows, artesian springs, and mature swamp forests. As tannins from decaying vegetation leach into the water, the river is stained its characteristic dark tea color.

Pack a picnic basket and enjoy lunch while cruising. The bar on The Wilmington is always open!

• Chevron down Cancellation Policy
• Individual Tickets: We offer a full refund for cancellations made at least 24 hours in advance of the departure date.
• Group Charters: We offer a full refund for cancellations made at least 2 weeks in advance of the departure date.
• We offer a full refund if we cancel due to weather.
• Patrons who are not present at the time of departure will be charged the full charter price.

Related Cruises

• Users All Ages
• Clock 1.5 Hours

Breakfast with the Birds led by Jill Peleuses of Wild Bird & Garden

Whether you’re a novice or a long-time nature lover, you’re sure to appreciate the birdlife our area has to offer.

2024 Boat Tours Guide

Bald head historic island tours.

Bald Head Historic Island Tours works in conjunction with the Old Baldy Foundation to introduce Cape Fear vacationers to the historic Bald Head Island, or “Old Baldy” lighthouse. Located on a 10-acre site on...

• Bald Head Island
• 910-457-7481

Cape Fear Riverboats

Narrated sightseeing tours, dinner cruises & private charters on the Cape Fear River. Featuring the Captain J.N. Maffitt, The John Knox, and Jacob's Run Cape Fear Riverboats is Wilmington NC’s longest...

• 910-343-1611

Cape Fear Riverboats, Inc Day Tours

Downtown Wilmington visitors will first be introduced to Cape Fear Riverboats by glimpsing the massive, three story Henrietta III - a classic riverboat cruise ship - along the central waterfront. But Cape Fear...

Captain Charles Robbins' Cape Fear River Adventures

Captain Charles Robbins' Cape Fear River Adventures is a top-rated touring company that takes explorers to the backwaters of the local Cape Fear rivers and streams where the local wildlife thrives. From basic...

• 910-620-0296

Carolina Beach Inshore Adventures

Water lovers can enjoy a full host of adventures, from fishing trips to romantic sunset cruises, with a visit to Carolina Beach Inshore Adventures. This all-encompassing fishing charter and boat tour company offers a...

• Carolina Beach
• 910-262-4002

Endless Summer Day Tours

Sail away on a fine adventure of the Cape Fear River and beyond with a lesson or charter that’s launched from Endless Summer Day Tours. Located on the edge of Downtown Southport next to the South Harbour Village...

• (910) 612-3279

Epic Excursons

Epic Excursions specializes in captained boat tours, sunset cruises, paddleboarding, island dining experiences & more in Wrightsville Beach, NC! All adventures are customized for one-of-a-kind experiences, and...

• wrightsville beach
• 910-239-9248

Water lovers can plot their own course, or lean back and enjoy the views while an expert captain does all the work, with a boat rental or charter from FantaSea. Featuring a wealth of Cape Fear-worthy vessels, as well as...

• Holden Beach
• 910-842-8484

Kelly Allen Sailing

Sail away on a picturesque and breezy tour of the Cape Fear River and admire all the on the-water attractions of the southern North Carolina coastline with a sailing excursion that’s lead by Kelly Allen Sailing...

• (910) 524-7245

Ocean Isle Fishing Center

Ocean Isle Fishing Center is an all-encompassing destination for anglers, water lovers, and anyone who wants to fully enjoy the coastline during an Ocean Isle Beach or Sunset Beach vacation. Perched on the edge of the...

• Ocean Isle Beach

Sail Wilmington NC

Enjoy a view of Downtown Wilmington from the middle of the Cape Fear River with a sailing tour provided by Sail Wilmington NC. This friendly sailing tour company allows visitors to catch an in-depth perspective of...

• 910-538-8884

Shallotte River Swamp Park

Shallotte River Swamp Park is an all-encompassing destination for outdoor lovers to whet their appetite for adventure via a number of wild adventures. Featuring a Zipline Tour course, an Aerial Adventure Park, and Swamp...

• (910) 687-6100

Shamrock Sailing

Shamrock Sailing offers cruises on a classic 42 ft. Sparkman & Stephens yawl. With a six passenger maximum per cruise, this is a spectacular way to see the waterways, barrier islands, and marine life surrounding...

• 919-302-3421

Southport Boat Rentals

Southport Boat Rentals offers half day, full day, and multi day rentals of their 21' Carolina Skiff 21 DLVs. These skiffs are rated at 14 passengers, but Southport Boat Rentals recommends up to 10 adults for comfort...

• 910-523-6021

Southport Marina

Travelers by sea in search of an accommodating marina with plenty of access to the local coastal North Carolina sites will feel right at home at the Southport Marina. This destination is a worthy spot to drop anchor, as...

• 910-457-9900

The Adventure Kayak Company

The Adventure Kayak Company allows visitors to explore both the wilds of the Cape Fear environment as well as the heart of the Downtown Southport region through bike tours, kayak tours, and rentals that allow patrons to...

• (910) 454-0607

Wavelength Charters

From nearshore ocean fishing to sunrise and sunset cruises, there are a lot of adventures that can be enjoyed via Wavelength Charters. This Wrightsville Beach-based charter and tour company offers a wealth of excursions...

• Wrightsville Beach
• 910-620-1784

Wilmington Water Tours

Welcome to Wilmington Water Tours and the “Wilmington” tour boat on the Cape Fear River. Experience the River on their 49 passenger motorized catamaran with a full bar and restroom. Doug Springer, his wife...

• 910-338-3134

Windy Point Nautical Adventures

There’s nothing like a customized boat tour that meets your party’s expectations and then some, and Windy Point Nautical Adventures is here to serve Holden Beach vacationers with a wide range of adventures...

• 910-616-8467

Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours

There’s a number of ways to explore the Wrightsville Beach shoreline through Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours – an all-encompassing tour company that charters adventures all along the Cape Fear Coastline...

• 910-200-4002

Wrightsville Parasailing Company

Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington visitors can enjoy a truly high flying adventure without ever leaving the Cape Fear coastline with Wrightsville Parasailing Company. Established in 1998, this locally renowned...

• (910) 232-1235
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Boat Tours by Town

Cape Fear & Brunswick Islands

• 1. Sunset Beach
• 2. Ocean Isle Beach
• 3. Holden Beach
• 4. Oak Island
• 5. Southport
• 6. Bald Head Island
• 7. Kure Beach
• 8. Carolina Beach
• 9. Wilmington
• 10. Wrightsville Beach

Battleship North Carolina

The USS Battleship North Carolina is an unmistakable site in Downtown Wilmington. Taking up a large portion of the waterfront docks, this historic World War II moveable landmark is a must-see for Cape Fear vacationers.

• 910-399-9100

Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park

There’s an ocean of adventures waiting for visitors at the Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park. Featuring a full range of entertainment options including a water park, mini golf course, go karts, arcade, and so much more, veritably every visitor under the sun can enjoy an active excursion or just a day of splashing around at this all-encompassing amusement center.

• 910-791-0666

Victory Beach Vacations

Visitors who are on the hunt for the postcard-perfect vacation rental in the heart of the Carolina Beach or Kure Beach area will find an enticing selection and plenty of friendly customer service when they rent through Victory Beach Vacations. Based in Carolina Beach in the coastal Cape Fear region, Victory Beach Vacations has more than 100 vacation rentals in all shapes and sizes to ensure that every vacationing family can find their dream home away from home on the beach.   When you book your Cape Fear getaway with Victory Beach Vacations, the fun doesn’t end when you leave the beach, it continues with an array of privately-owned properties outfitted with all of the amenities needed for a fabulous beach vacation.   Jenna Lanier, General Manager, explains that her family first opened the rental and property management business in 2002. At the forefront of Victory Beach operations is Lanier’s mother, Caroline Meeks. Meeks is both the Broker in Charge and co-owner with husband, Buck Meeks, who manages the Field Services team with Lanier’s husband, Scott.   For nearly 20 years, the Victory Beach team has worked tirelessly to establish a network of top-of-the-line rental properties for Cape Fear visitors to enjoy. “As far as our properties go,” explains Lanier, “they are all updated, well-furnished and appointed. “We have always performed post-cleaning inspections and since the pandemic, have put freshly laundered duvets over all of the comforters between rentals.”   Lanier emphasizes how important the guests experience is “we strive to give our guests a relaxing, stress free, memorable vacation.” This emphasis on customer service has led to Victory Beach Vacations having a 4.8 Google rating with over 300 reviews by happy owners and guests.In addition to Victory Beach’s superior sanitation practices, the company offers properties for every type of visitor. Choose from luxury oceanfront houses and condos to more reasonbly priced 2nd row properties with oceanviews. Many properties include pools and hot tubs as well, perfect for outdoor entertaining, and many are dog friendly.   Lanier also notes that all properties are within walking or driving distance to Pleasure Island’s main attractions – Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. The former, as described by Lanier, is the more commercialized of the two destinations and features a boardwalk, outdoor dining options and a plethora of weekly activities including fireworks, live music, amusement park pop-ups, and movies under the stars. Kure Beach offers a more residential feel with its fishing pier, intimate restaurants and family favorite, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.More water fun awaits, too. “There is a harbor and a canal that feed into the intercoastal. We have several properties on the harbor so guests can bring their boat, kayak, [or jet ski] and travel between islands,” says Lanier.   A stay with Victory Beach Vacations is an annual pilgrimage for most. “A large percentage of guests are previous guests. Some even reserve the same property for the next year as they’re checking out,” Lanier says. “It’s almost like it’s their personal vacation home.”   Even before guests arrive at their vacation destination, the Victory Beach Vacations’ website greets them with a live beach cam and exquisite aerial footage of both Carolina and Kure Beaches. See for yourself by scanning the QR code and call Victory Beach Vacations at 910.458.0868 to book your Cape Fear getaway. Start making your memories today! —Grace Silipigni

• 910-458-0868

Masonboro Island Coastal Reserve

Situated on the edge of the Cape Fear Coastline in between the bustling towns of Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach, the Masonboro Island Coastal Reserve is a unique slice of undeveloped and natural barrier island shoreline that’s an important habitat for countless coastal species. Hard to reach but wonderfully isolated, visitors who make a trip to this literal deserted island will be rewarded with great shelling, beautiful landscapes, and miles of beaches to go around.

• 910-962-2998

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Wilmington NC - coastalnc-wilmington.com

Vacation Planning and Real Estate Guide to Wilmington, NC Hotels, Resorts, Motels, Vacation Rentals, Golf Courses, Golf Packages, Shopping Weddings, Dining, Attractions, Real Estate

The Henrietta III Riverboat Cruise

Cape Fear Riverboats offers a unique venue for weddings, wedding receptions, anniversaries, birthdays and family reunions. Great for school, church, and club outings, as well as corporate functions. Have an evening of fun or romance on one of our dinner cruises, or take in the sights along the beautiful Cape Fear River in Wilmington, NC on one of our narrated sightseeing cruises… many options for a memorable event, suitable for any occasion.

“Welcome Aboard” is the motto of HENRIETTA III’s Captain Carl Marshburn and crew as they strive to offer the finest in Southern hospitality. A favorite for locals and visitors, HENRIETTA III is “the place” for special occasions in Wilmington, NC

Check Out Wilmington Magazine

Azalea Festival Juried Spring Art Show and Sale: April 3rd- 11th

Over 100 North Carolina and national artists present fine paintings and 3D art creations at the …

Continue Reading about Azalea Festival Juried Spring Art Show and Sale: April 3rd- 11th

NC Aquarium’s Race for the Planet: April 18th

Registration is now open for the 2021 Race for the Planet hosted by the N.C. Aquarium at Fort …

Continue Reading about NC Aquarium’s Race for the Planet: April 18th

Read the March Issue of Island Life NC!

The March Issue of Island Life NC is Available Now! Island Life NC Magazine highlights the lifestyle …

Continue Reading about Read the March Issue of Island Life NC!

Herb & Garden Fair: March 27th

29th Annual Herb & Garden Fair March 27 & 28, 2020 Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM • Sunday, …

Continue Reading about Herb & Garden Fair: March 27th

Wilmington Riverfront Farmers Market

  Opening day is March 27, 2021 We are excited to bring you an amazing lineup of Farmers and …

Continue Reading about Wilmington Riverfront Farmers Market

Historic Home Night Tours

Experience colonial nightlife at the Burgwin-Wright House every first Friday of the Month. Join in …

Continue Reading about Historic Home Night Tours

Try Our Beach Walk Scavenger Hunt

Walking on the beach is a great way to get some exercise, soak up some Vitamin D, and spend time …

Continue Reading about Try Our Beach Walk Scavenger Hunt

UNCW’s Curbside Cinema

UNCW Office of the Arts, Cucalorus, StarNews, and WHQR Public Media are excited to bring drive-in …

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Visit The Wilmington NC Store

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[email protected]

910-777-7917

Adventure is out there... You just have to paddle to it.

Experience hidden gems throughout the Cape Fear Region that are only accessible by boat.

•••UPDATE•••

Members of the Cape Fear Professional Paddlesports Association and New Hanover County officials have come to an agreement allowing us to resume our Shark Tooth Hunting and Campfire Sunset Paddles.

However, one of the biggest concerns the county has is with the limited parking available within the parks. That being said, we kindly ask our guests who attend our tours to carpool whenever possible and to park respectfully, in order to reduce our impact on the limited parking situation.

See you on the water!

Salty Shark Boat Tours offers a variety of kayaking excursions throughout the Cape Fear Region, along with group & private kayaking instruction. Our expert guides and instructors are ACA Certified.

Tour Schedule

Dec 11 - Dec 17

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Oyster Farm Tour & Tasting

Quick Details

• Tags Activity Type: Public
• Hour Glass Duration: 3 Hours
• User Ages: All ages

Call for Private Experiences

Come aboard and join us for the full experience of visiting a local oyster farm and sampling freshly shucked oysters harvested by Middle Sound Mariculture on one of our uninhabited islands. This Epic tour will include a sampling of raw and steamed oysters that are served locally in the best Wilmington NC restaurants around. Enjoy complimentary wine selected to pair with the oysters, and feel free to bring along any other beverage of choice. Hosted by Middle Sound Mariculture and Epic Excursions.

Your tour starts with a guided boat ride aboard our 24ft Carolina Skiff, the Epic Explorer, to the Middle Sound Mariculture Farm where you will learn how these delicious oysters are raised from seed to harvest. You will learn the ideal conditions for oysters to reproduce, and learn the stages of growing from a tiny seed into an adult oyster.

Next we will head over to one of the beautiful barrier islands where we will share oyster tales over drinks, toss back some oysters, and soak up the natural beauty of the island. If you’re up for it, we will even teach you how to shuck your own oyster!

*All Wilmington, NC Oyster Farm Tours and Tastings include a guided cruise to the oyster farm with a USCG licensed captain, great music, complimentary wine pairings with oysters, and a cooler with ice for any other beverages you prefer to bring. You may BYOB! *

Related Activities

Curated events by epic excursions.

Check here for upcoming events created and hosted by Epic Excursions! Or call to create your own!

• Hour Glass 3 Hours
• Tags Island Dinners

Chef Dinner Experience with True Blue Butcher & Table

Cruise with us to an uninhabited island where a culinary experience awaits. Experience panoramic views of water and nature as a chef from True Blue Butcher & Table prepares dinner on an open fire.

Catered Island Seafood Boil

A boat cruise from Wrightsville Beach to one of the barrier islands where you will find a table set up with seating for your “catered” seafood boil dinner!

Wilmington and Southport named among South's most beautiful coastal towns

W hile Wilmington residents are well aware of the city's beauty, the Port City has also garnered acclaim from a well-known publication. Southern Living recently ranked Wilmington second among a list of " The 15 Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in the South. "

"Discover a tale of two waterways," the Southern Living description of Wilmington reads, noting that the Port City is tucked between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. "You'll have not one but two waterways -- with two entirely different feels -- to enjoy."

Wilmington's 1.75-mile-long Riverwalk, seafood restaurants, and views lend to its high ranking, according to Southern Living.

More: Two Wilmington-area towns named as prime offseason beach trip locations by Visit NC

"A tiny bit outside of town, get to (know) Wilmington's Atlantic side through its three beach communities: Kure Beach, Carolina Beach, and Wrightsville Beach," the description reads.

Wilmington is runner up only to Fairhope, Alabama -- a town located on the coast of the Mobile Bay.

Another local gem ranked number six on the list -- Southport, North Carolina.

Southern Living titles Southport a "certified nautical-themed dream," specifically mentioning the 9-acre Waterfront Park as one of the best places to enjoy the scenic views from a swing, bench, or fishing pier. Ferry access to Brunswick Islands -- including Bald Head Island and Oak Island -- also add to the city's appeal.

More: PHOTOS: Southport named one of the 7 friendliest towns in NC by World Atlas

More: This Brunswick County town is one of the friendliest in NC, according to World Atlas

The other 12 towns included on the list are:

• Ocean Springs, Mississippi
• Beaufort, South Carolina
• St. Michaels, Maryland
• Charleston, South Carolina
• Rockport, Texas
• Cape Charles, Virginia
• Beaufort, North Carolina
• St. Augustine, Florida
• Norfolk, Virginia
• Georgetown, South Carolina
• Tarpon Springs, Florida
• Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

All of the towns included in the list "have all the hallmarks of great vacation destinations," the article reads. "Charming downtowns, excellent waterfront dining, gracious places to stay, and scenic vistas unite for one winning combination."

Southern Living previously ranked Wilmington as the No.1 South's Best City on the Rise in March of 2024 -- with the city earning the 10th spot on the same list just three years prior.

Tara Massouleh McCay delved into greater detail about Wilmington attractions in  a feature-length article detailing her travel experiences.

Wrightsville Beach was also previously mentioned by Southern Living, ranking ninth of their list of the best waterfront towns by state earlier this year. The area was named among the " South's Best Beach Towns " as well in 2022.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington and Southport named among South's most beautiful coastal towns

Biden, after meeting with families of officers killed in NC, says the nation is grieving with them

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — President  Joe Biden  said Thursday he was praying for loved ones and all those left behind after he met privately with the families of law enforcement officers shot to death on the job. The visit came just a week after he sat down with the grieving relatives of two cops killed in upstate New York.

“The entire nation is grieving with these families,” he said from his second stop of the day in Wilmington, North Carolina, where he was announcing new measures to cut lead pipes from the water supply.

Biden detoured to Charlotte for the visit that took place with little fanfare behind closed doors, as the White House wanted Biden to be seen as respecting the privacy of grieving families and avoiding the appearance of using their grief for political purposes. He also met with officers wounded during the shooting, and wished them a fast recovery.

The president took a short motorcade across the airport to the North Carolina Air National Guard base to meet  the group, which included elected officials . The location was an alternative to traveling into the city and was chosen as the least taxing one for local law enforcement officers who are still reeling from the deaths but who would have a hand in securing the president’s trip.

“The men and women of law enforcement, you represent the best of us,” he said from the podium at the second stop.

Once again, Biden was seeking to be an empathetic leader for a community reeling from gun violence, while also calling  for stricter rules around firearms  and more money for law enforcement on the front lines.

Four officers were killed this week in North Carolina, when a wanted man opened fire on a joint agency  task force  that had come to arrest him on a warrant for possession of a firearm as an ex-felon, and fleeing to elude capture. They were: Sam Poloche and William Elliott of the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Officer Joshua Eyer; and Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks.

Four other officers were wounded in the gunfire; the suspect was killed. An AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, a 40-caliber handgun and ammunition were found at the scene.

An AR-15 is among the weapons most  often used in mass shootings, and it’s the type of gun Biden is talking about when he says the U.S. should ban "  assault weapons .” Congress passed the most  comprehensive gun control legislation in decades  in 2022, after a horrific school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. But it didn’t go far enough, Biden often says.

And as he campaigns for the 2024 election, Biden has made curbing gun violence a major campaign platform,  elusive to Democrats even during the Obama era , as he fends off attacks from Republican challenger  Donald Trump that he is soft on crime  and anti-police.

“We have to get them the resources they need to do their job,” Biden said of law enforcement. “And keep the weapons of war” out of the wrong hands.

The violence came just about two weeks after another  fatal shooting of law enforcement officers  in Syracuse, New York; Lieutenant Michael Hoosock and Officer Michael Jensen were killed while looking for a driver who fled a traffic stop. After his speech, Biden met relatives of both of the officers’ families.

Biden had already been scheduled to come to Syracuse to celebrate  Micron Technology’s plans to build a campus of computer chip factories , but the local police union said officers were still coming to terms with the deaths and weren’t happy with the president’s trip and had hoped he would delay.

On Thursday from Wilmington, Biden announced his administration was providing states with an additional $3 billion to replace lead pipes across the country, building on $5.8 billion for  water infrastructure projects around the country  announced in February.

“There’s no safe level of lead exposure,” he said. “None. The only way forward is to replace every lead service line that connects clean water.”

Money for the pipe replacement comes from one of the administration’s key legislative victories, the  $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law  that  Biden  signed in 2021. The infrastructure law includes over $50 billion to upgrade America’s water infrastructure.

The new round of funding will help pay for projects nationwide as Biden seeks to replace all lead pipes in the country.

“We’re going to get it done,” he said.

EPA estimates that North Carolina has 370,000 lead pipes, and $76 million will go to replace them statewide. Biden also will meet with faculty and students at a Wilmington school that replaced a water fountain with high levels of lead with money from the law.

Associated Press writers Zeke Miller, Matthew Daly and Josh Boak contributed to this story.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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