The early settlers of Manns Harbor were strong and self-sufficient, running small farms and fishing the sounds. The first large fishing operations used seine netting and sold their catch commercially in salt-packed barrels destined for New York City’s famous Fulton Fish Market. The town of Elizabeth City, a portal to the Great Dismal Swamp and the Chesapeake Bay, was a day’s sail from Manns Harbor before powered engines made vessels more efficient and reduced transportation times to markets.

The swamps and marshy areas west of Manns Harbor originally provided good quantities of juniper which was perfect rot-resistant wood for boat building and rail fences. By the mid-1800s, Manns Harbor boat builders began building a rounded bottom vessel, approximately 8 feet wide and from 20-30 feet long, with timber sourced from the nearby swamplands. These boats would eventually be known as “shad boats.”

Manns Harbor Volunteer Fire Department

Address:
6657 U.S. Highway 64
Manns Harbor, NC  27953

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 165, Manns Harbor, NC, 27953

Contact:
Manns Harbor Volunteer Fire Department Chief Craig Burgess
252.423.3046 | info@mannsharborfd.com

Click here to view the Manns Harbor Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page.

Dare County EMS Station 8 - Manns Harbor

Address:
6677 U.S. Hwy. 64
Manns Harbor, NC  27953

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff are stationed at eight facilities throughout Dare County. The public is welcome to stop by any EMS station for a free routine blood pressure or glucose check. The duty crew will be happy to help unless they are out of the building responding to a call.

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY – DIAL 911 instead of attempting to make the trip to an EMS station.

Manns Harbor Community Building

Address:

6657 U.S. Highway 64
Manns Harbor, NC  27953

Contact:
Manns Harbor Community Center Board President Vickie Craddock
252.423.1164 | vecraddock@yahoo.com

Manns Harbor Community Center Board Members:

Vickie Craddock, President
Betty Beasley
Clyde Gard
Jennifer Gilbert
Bonny Sawyer

Manns Harbor Park

Address:
6677 U.S. Highway 64
Manns Harbor, NC 27953

Contact:
Dare County Parks & Recreation - Roanoke Island/Mainland Division
Phone: 252.475.5910 

Amenities and Features:
 - Outdoor Basketball Court
 - Playground
 - Walking Path

Manns Harbor Civic Association

The Manns Harbor Civic Association (MHCA), since its inception in 2007, is a registered 501c4 nonprofit non-commercial, non-partisan and non-sectarian organization serving the community of Manns Harbor. In its operations, it shall not practice, nor allow to be practiced, any form of discrimination based upon race, color, creed, sex or national origin of any person or persons. The general purpose of the MHCA is, through various means, to promote the interests and welfare of community citizens, residents, and property owners of Manns Harbor, North Carolina.

The MHCA meets quarterly on Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m. at the Manns Harbor Community Building.

For the latest events and notices, click here to access the Manns Harbor Civic Association Facebook page.

Current MHCA officers are:

Craig Midgett, President
Timmy Midget, Vice-President
Deanie Midget, Treasurer
Cyndy Holda, Secretary
Hilda Bayliss
Becky Basnight
Riley Shelton

Manns Harbor Marina

Address:
5227 U.S. Highway 64
Manns Harbor, NC  27953

Contact:
Manns Harbor Marina Commission President Ladd Bayliss
252.207.5894 | ladd.bayliss@gmail.com

Ladd Bayliss
Cyndy Holda
Paul Mann
Jeff James
Jonathan Oglesby
Jeddie (Troy) Outland, Jr.
Audra Shackelford 

The Manns Harbor Marina was the first-of-its kind for eastern North Carolina as a "shared-use" facility and a collaborative effort amongst state, county and community leaders. This facility is shared equally by both commercial fishermen and recreational fishermen who enjoy the use of the modern, paved boat ramps and parking areas to access the Croatan Sound.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) boat ramp was created through the use of the Waterfront Access and Marine Industry Fund. The NCWRC designed, permitted, and oversaw construction of this shared-use facility and they enforce the legal binding moorage agreement.  In addition, the NCWRC has agreed to maintain all docks and infrastructure, including dredging to provide access to the Croatan Sound.  Several other entities including Dare County government staff members, the N.C. Coastal Federation and the Manns Harbor Civic Association board members were active facilitators of this multi-year process.

Manns Harbor Transfer Station (Dare County Public Works)

Address:
1603 Cub Road
Manns Harbor, NC 27953

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Contact:
Landfill & Transfer Supervisor Jonathan DeWeese
252.475.5888 | Jonathan.Deweese@DareNC.gov

The Manns Harbor Transfer station allows residents and commercial businesses to drop off building materials and white goods. This location also provides local residents a place where they can drop off appliances, metals, home furnishings and auto tires. There is a a truck scale weigh-in station where residents and commercial builders can have waste weighed prior to disposal at the appropriate sites. The first 500 pounds is free for residential customers, and the rest is prorated at $68.96 per ton. 

DISPOSAL OF CAMPERS

• Whole campers will not be accepted.
• Must be demolished and metals must be separated from construction debris. No exceptions.
• No assistance will be provided in unloading the camper.

DISPOSAL OF VESSELS

• All boat owners must call the landfill prior to arrival to make arrangements for disposal of the vessel.
• Smaller vessels may be accepted whole if all fuel tanks, engines, holding tanks and other metals have been removed.
• Larger vessels may require an appointment if deemed necessary by management.
• No assistance will be provided in unloading the vessel.

Bebop's Multi-Use Pier 

Address:
9220 U.S. Highway 64
Manns Harbor, NC 27953

Bebop’s Multi-Use Pier is located at the west entrance to the William B. Umstead Bridge. This is a great spot for fishing, crabbing and wildlife viewing, as well as a great photography location. It is also wheelchair accessible.

“Dean loved the outdoor treasures of Dare County,” stated Board of Commissioners Chairman Warren Judge during pier's ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 21, 2010. “Now future generations will be able to share her love of the outdoors from this new pier that will provide the public with recreational access to the scenic Croatan Sound.”

The land was donated by the Fearing family and funding for the pier was provided by the Dare County Tourism Board and the Water Resources Division of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The Manteo Rotary Club, the Coastal Purple Martin Society and the North Carolina Department of Transportation also provided support.

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge 

Image courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The community of Manns Harbor is centrally located on the Dare County mainland. The community is bordered to the west by the expansive Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge.

This 158,000-acre of natural and undeveloped area, which was established in 1984, is located on the Albemarle Peninsula in eastern North Carolina. The refuge provides prime wildlife viewing opportunities of bears, red wolves, fox, river otters and other small mammals, as well as American alligators and well over 200 species of birds and waterfowl. Many areas are open to the public, and permitted activities include kayaking, wildlife viewing and photography.

Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead of time and stop by the National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center at the north end of Roanoke Island to view exhibits and a detailed map.

For more information, visit FWS.gov/Refuge/Alligator-River.

Manns Harbor Trails & Recreational Opportunities 

To access a map of recreational opportunities including public fishing docks, walking trails, parks and kayak launches, visit www.Play.DareCountyNC.gov where you can utilize the Dare County Geographical Information System (GIS) Recreation Map. 

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Parks & Recreation Opportunities:

The Roanoke Island/Mainland Division office of the Dare County Parks & Recreation Department is located in the Lions Club Center at Westcott Park in Manteo. A variety of programs are offered for the citizens of Manteo, Wanchese and Manns Harbor. To view the latest newsletter containing upcoming Roanoke Island/Mainland Division activities and programs, click here.

The Dare County Public Works Department provides trash collection in Manns Harbor, and a sanitation fee is charged on property tax bills sent to property owners annually.

Do you want to receive a notification when collection service is delayed or cancelled due to a holiday or inclement weather? Sign up for Dare County email and/or text notifications at DareNC.gov/Subscribe.

Need a new trash can or a replacement part? Residents and property owners whose homes are located within the unincorporated areas of Dare County can purchase a trash can at Dare County Public Works, which is located at 1018 Driftwood Drive in Manteo. The cost for a trash can is $85.40 if you pick it up at Dare County Public Works or $96.08 if it is delivered to your home. To place an order for a new can or a replacement part, please call the Dare Dare County Public Works Department at 252-475-5895.

Being located adjacent to such a large national wildlife refuge, residents of Manns Harbor are encouraged to buy a bear-resistant trash can from the Dare County Public Works Department. To place an order for a new can or a replacement part, please call the Dare County Public Works Department at 252-475-5895.

Living adjacent to the national wildlife refuge, it is important to note that properly disposing of trash is helpful in discouraging racoons, bobcats, red wolves and even alligators from becoming a nuisance.

For helpful tips on living responsibly with bears, please visit BearWise.org.

In addition to Manns Harbor Park, located behind Dare County EMS Station 8, Manns Harbor is fortunate to have a first-class public marina with boat ramps for the general public—Manns Harbor Marina—and BeBop's Multipurpose Fishing Pier for fishermen or people visiting the site to view the summer population of migrating purple martins along the underpinnings of the Old Manns Harbor Bridge.  
 
The neighboring Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (158,000 acres) is filled with coastal wildlife. The refuge has a small population of endangered red wolves, as well as black bears, waterfowl and American alligators. Venture to Murphy Peterson Wildlife Drive, where locals compete to see who can count the most black bears in one evening. There are also two half-mile, universally accessible wildlife trails in beautiful, quiet and secluded places. 

To access a map of recreational opportunities, including public fishing docks, walking trails, parks and kayak launches, visit www.Play.DareCountyNC.gov to utilize the Dare County Geographical Information System (GIS) Recreation Map. 

Parks & Recreation Opportunities:

Building permits must be obtained from the appropriate inspection office for the geographical location of the construction project. Sub-permits for mechanical, plumbing or electrical work may be obtained at any of the offices regardless of the construction location. For more information about building permits and inspections in Dare County, click here.

Contact:
Keil Twiford, Dare County Building Inspector
252.475.5867  |  Keil.Twiford@DareNC.gov 
(Serving unincorporated portions of Roanoke Island, including Wanchese and the mainland areas of Dare County encompassing East Lake, Manns Harbor, Mashoes and Stumpy Point.)

The Outer Banks SPCA operates the Dare County Animal Shelter (378 Airport Road in Manteo, NC), an open admission animal shelter serving all of Dare County. The shelter receives approximately 1,500 animals a year, including many strays. In addition to filing a lost report, we strongly recommend you visit the shelter in person to check for any missing pets.

Click here to view the Dare County, NC Code of Ordinances- Chapter 91: Animals.

Contact:
OBX SPCA Shelter Manager
252.475.5620  |  info@obxspca.org

Manns Harbor is qualified as District 9. As of July 2025, the Dare County tax rate is $0.2632, the volunteer fire department rate is $0.0804 and the sanitation rate is $0.0842 for a total tax rate of $0.4278.

You can pay your Dare County real estate taxes via mail, phone, online or in person. Learn more by visiting DareNC.gov/Tax.

Looking for information about your personal property taxes? Click here. 

Dare County is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners that conducts public meetings throughout the year on a regularly scheduled basis. Meetings are generally held on the first Monday of the month at 9 a.m. This schedule is occasionally adjusted to accommodate holidays. Meetings are held within the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting room at the Dare County Administration Building, which is located at 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive in Manteo.

To view the names, contact information and biographies for the current Dare County Board of Commissioners, please click here.

On Election Day, the Manns Harbor polling precinct will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Manns Harbor Community Building (6657 U.S. Highway 64, Manns Harbor, NC).

Click here to learn more about Dare County Elections.

“Safe and sane” fireworks are the only types of fireworks that are allowed in North Carolina. These devices include caps, snakes and glow worms, smoke devices, trick noise-makers, snappers, sparklers and other sparkling devices, such as fountains, which do not leave the ground.

Any firework devices that leave the ground and have a report or make a "bang" are illegal in North Carolina. Examples of these illegal fireworks include bottle rockets, mortars, roman candles, firecrackers and M80s. Violators of North Carolina's fireworks law face a class two misdemeanor charge that is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or imprisonment of up to six months.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that fireworks caused an estimated 31,302 fires in 2022, including 3,504 structure fires, 887 vehicle fires, 26,492 outside fires, and 418 unclassified fires. These fires caused an estimated six civilian deaths, 44 civilian injuries and $109M in direct property damage. 

Please protect our beloved area by refraining from using illegal fireworks.

Tideland Electric Membership Corporation
(800)637-1079
Report an outage: (800)882-1001 or text OUT to 85700

Dominion Energy
866-366-4357
Report an outage.