Sneads Ferry is a historic commercial fishing village on the New River — home to the annual Shrimp Festival since 1971, fresh-off-the-boat seafood, and a tight-knit community rooted in generations of working waterfront heritage.
Sneads Ferry, North Carolina is an unincorporated fishing community in Onslow County (ZIP 28460) with a core population of approximately 2,548 and over 12,500 residents in the broader area. Named for Robert Snead, who operated a ferry across the New River starting around 1759, the community remains one of the most active commercial fishing villages in Onslow County — landing roughly 385 tons of shrimp, 25 tons of flounder, and 493 tons of other seafood annually. The annual Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival, running since 1971, is one of the region's most beloved community events, generating enough revenue to build a 14-acre community park and a 7,200-square-foot community building.
Whether you're looking for the freshest shrimp straight off the boat, a fishing charter captain who knows every inch of the New River, or a contractor experienced with waterfront properties — this page features the best locally-reviewed businesses serving Sneads Ferry and the surrounding Topsail area communities.
Video reviews of the best-rated local businesses in Sneads Ferry, NC.
The best-rated businesses serving Sneads Ferry and the Topsail Island area, organized by category.
Sneads Ferry's commercial fishing fleet brings in hundreds of tons of shrimp, flounder, and other seafood every year, and the waterfront fish houses sell it directly to the public — often within hours of being pulled from the water. This is some of the freshest seafood you can buy anywhere on the North Carolina coast. The fish houses along the New River waterfront are the heart of the community, operated by families who have fished these waters for generations. Buy whole or cleaned shrimp, fresh flounder fillets, live blue crabs, and seasonal oysters.
Fresh-off-the-boat shrimp from local trawlers
Flounder, blue crab, oysters & seasonal catches
Casual waterfront dining with locally-caught fish
Live bait, tackle & fishing supplies
As a working fishing village, Sneads Ferry has a concentration of marine services you won't find in other Topsail-area communities. Boat repair shops, marine mechanics, dock builders, and bait and tackle stores serve both the commercial fishing fleet and recreational boaters. Fishing charter captains operating from Sneads Ferry Marina offer inshore trips on the New River targeting red drum and flounder, plus nearshore and offshore excursions for king mackerel, wahoo, and tuna.
Inshore, nearshore & offshore guided trips
Marine mechanics, fiberglass & engine service
Boat slips, launch access & fuel
Explore the New River by water
Sneads Ferry's mix of waterfront properties, military family homes, and rural residential areas creates diverse contractor needs. Many residents are active-duty Marines stationed at Camp Lejeune or military retirees who have settled in the area permanently. Contractors serving Sneads Ferry handle everything from waterfront home maintenance and dock repair to standard residential HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and landscaping work. The community draws contractors from both the Topsail corridor and the Jacksonville market.
Renovations, waterfront construction & repair
Heating & cooling installation and service
Lawn care, tree service & property maintenance
Mechanics & vehicle services
Sneads Ferry has a small but essential collection of local services — gas stations, convenience stores, barber shops, salons, and small retail stores that serve the daily needs of residents. Many families also travel to Jacksonville (15 minutes) or Surf City for broader shopping and dining options. Military-adjacent services like off-base housing, storage facilities, and moving services are also part of the local business landscape given the proximity to Camp Lejeune.
Sneads Ferry has a quiet but genuine arts scene anchored by the Thurston Art Gallery and the creative community that the waterfront setting inspires. The annual Shrimp Festival (since 1971) is the cultural centerpiece of the community, bringing together live music, local food vendors, arts and crafts, and family activities in a celebration of fishing heritage that has funded community infrastructure for over five decades.
Sneads Ferry is on the mainland side of the New River, north of Topsail Island. Take NC-210 from US-17, or access from Jacksonville via NC-172. The drive is approximately 40 minutes from Wilmington and 15 minutes from Jacksonville. Camp Lejeune's MARSOC compound is accessed from NC-210 nearby. The nearest commercial airport is Wilmington International Airport (ILM), about 45 minutes south.
Sneads Ferry is named for Robert Snead, who began operating a ferry across the New River around 1759. The ferry — at one point propelled by a remarkable woman named Caroline Pearson — served as a vital river crossing until it was replaced by a bridge in 1939. For over 260 years, Sneads Ferry has maintained its identity as a fishing community. Today it remains one of the most active commercial fishing villages in Onslow County, with local boats bringing in hundreds of tons of shrimp, flounder, and other seafood annually. The Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival, running since 1971, has become the community's signature event.
The Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival has been held annually since 1971, typically in the fall. It features fresh local shrimp, seafood, live music, carnival rides, arts and crafts, and family activities. The festival is one of the most popular community events in Onslow County and has generated enough revenue over the decades to fund a 14-acre community park and a 7,200-square-foot community building.
The best seafood in Sneads Ferry comes directly from the waterfront fish houses where local commercial fishermen sell their daily catch — often within hours of being pulled from the water. The community lands approximately 385 tons of shrimp, 25 tons of flounder, and 493 tons of other seafood annually. Buy fresh shrimp, flounder fillets, live blue crabs, and seasonal oysters right off the boats at the marina area, or dine at casual waterfront restaurants.
Yes, local charter captains offer inshore trips on the New River targeting red drum, flounder, and speckled trout, plus nearshore and offshore Atlantic trips for king mackerel, wahoo, mahi-mahi, and tuna. Many captains are lifelong local fishermen with generational knowledge of these waters. The Sneads Ferry Marina provides boat slips and launch access for both charter and private boats.
Sneads Ferry is served by contractors from both the Topsail corridor and the Jacksonville/Onslow County area. With many residents being active-duty Marines or military retirees from Camp Lejeune, there is steady demand for home maintenance, renovation, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, landscaping, and general contracting. Marine-related services like boat repair and dock building are also available given the community's waterfront character.
Sneads Ferry is in Onslow County, North Carolina. It is an unincorporated community with no town government — services are provided by Onslow County. The ZIP code is 28460, shared with North Topsail Beach. The core community has about 2,548 residents, with over 12,500 in the broader ZIP code area. Sneads Ferry sits on the mainland along the New River, close to Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base.
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