A good strategy for the off-shore route is to dock or anchor at Beaufort or Morehead City overnight and then go out Beaufort Inlet Channel on an ebb or slack tide, at first light, if possible. Beaufort Docks is good place to dock, easy in and out, but arrive/depart at slack tide to avoid a lot of drama. Same with Morehead. Tide runs strong on the south or ICW side at the city docks, don't recommend it. On the other side of the highway is a nice marina, the Morehead City Yacht Basin.
With calm seas and a tail or beam wind, the sail from Beaufort to Masonboro Inlet is pleasant and takes about 10-12 hours. So, to get in Masonboro Inlet before dark, leave Beaufort early. Once out Beaufort Inlet, go out far enough, maybe 20 miles, to avoid the military zone off Camp Lejeune at the New River. It's on your chart. Don't sail through the marked zone or the Marines will get very perturbed. You will hear from them on 16.
At Masonboro, turn right once in the inlet and enter Banks Channel. Follow it up to just south of the Wrightsville Beach Bridge for a nice, large anchorage close to restaurants on the beach side. To dock, turn left before the bridge into Motts Channel. Seapath Yacht Club on the right is very nice, or continue over to the ICW and you'll find several small marinas just south of the draw bridge. Our favorite is The Bridge Tender Marina, which you can usually just slide up to the wharf and tie up for the night. One of the best restaurants in Wrightsville is right there, The Bridge Tender.
If you go down the ICW, Scott mentioned Casper's Marina at Swansboro. Very nice, well-run but small marina. Good restaurants within walking distance. As Scott said, check out the Waterway Guide for marinas and reviews. There are others, but depths are often an issue.
Also, if you want to continue south from Wrightsville, it's only five hours or so to the Cape Fear River via the ICW where our favorite stop is the Bald Head Island Marina near the Cape Fear Inlet to the ocean.
Good sailing.
