Mile Hammock Bay

Mile Hammock Bay is a large, deep anchorage tucked along the Intracoastal Waterway near New River Inlet in North Carolina, making it a go-to overnight stop on the Great Loop. You're dropping anchor on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune land, so don't be surprised if you hear military training exercises in the distance — it's part of the surprisingly wild charm of this spot. The holding is reliable and the bay offers solid protection, giving you a calm night before pushing on.