Santa Maria replica ship arrives in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - A photographer in Oak Island spotted a replica of the Nao Santa Maria sailing the Cape Fear River on Wednesday morning.

Andrew Miller, owner of AEM Creative Photography, submitted the photos at the bottom of this story to WECT’s See It, Snap It, Send It page, showing the ship during its voyage toward Wilmington.

The replica of the ship sailed by Christopher Columbus in 1492 arrived in Wilmington around 11:30 a.m. and will be docked along the Downtown Riverwalk until June 13 for self-guided tours.

The full-scale replica of the Nao Santa Maria sailed into Wilmington around 11:30 this morning and will be docked downtown at London Wharf on the Riverwalk until June 13 ⛵️ pic.twitter.com/o4zyiEWc89
— Wilmington, NC (@CityofWilm) June 9, 2021

Crew members at each level can answer questions and discuss experiences traveling from port to port on the “floating museum.”

A visit to the Nao Santa Maria consists takes visitors through the 5 decks of the ship, with informative panels on the history of the ship, ornamental elements of the time and background about the lifestyle of the Spanish sailors 500 years ago.

Wilmington Harbor Enhancement Trust President Stephanie Fornes says the experience is an educational opportunity for all ages covering “one of the most important historic landmarks in the discovery of America.”

According to its website, the ship’s fiberglass and wood construction was completed in 2017 and it has sailed to more than 30 ports, commemorating the history of the Santa Maria.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for kids and $35 for families (includes up to two adults and three kids).