Elizabeth II

Child Paragraph
The Elizabeth II representative 16th century sailing ship sailing with sails and flags raised. Clear skies and clouds in the background.

Set Sail on the Elizabeth II

Tour the Elizabeth II

Across from the downtown Manteo waterfront floats Elizabeth II at her home port at Roanoke Island Festival Park. The breeze from Shallowbag Bay cools guests as they admire the ship’s bold trim. The striking green and white Tudor flag  and the white and red Cross of St. George flag both fly in the wind and appear brilliant against the backdrop of a Carolina blue sky. The representational ship interprets one of the English merchant vessels from the Roanoke Voyage of 1585.

Board and explore Elizabeth II from every angle. Help costumed 16th century sailors set the sails, find your latitude with an astrolabe, and swab the decks. Marvel at the lines and rigging that allow the ship to sail. Enjoy the view of the water from the quarterdeck. Turn the capstan to raise the ship’s anchor, play checkers with a wily sailor, and search for surprises in barrels and boxes on board. Test out the straw and feather mattresses that gentlemen aboard the ship were lucky to sleep on.

The interpretive staff of sailors gladly answers questions about the ship, the historic Roanoke Voyages, or any other inquiry guests have about the beginnings of English-speaking America.

Elizabeth II Highlights

THINGS TO DO

Swab the Deck

Boy swabbing the deck of the Elizabeth II with a sailor at Roanoke Island Festival Park

Fire the Sling Gun

Historic interpreter firing the canon on the Elizabeth II

Explore the Ship

Boy looking for treasure below deck on the Elizabeth II at Roanoke Island Festival Park

Meet the Crew

Historic interpreters at Roanoke Island Festival Park on the Elizabeth Ii

Play Games

Boy playing 16th century games on the Elizabeth II ship at Roanoke Island Festival Park

 

Steer the Ship

Girl steering the ship below deck on the Elizabeth II at Roanoke Island Festival Park

Find Treasure

3 kids find treasure below deck on the Elizabeth II at Roanoke Island Festival Park

Cook Onboard

Boy pretending to cook below deck on the Elizabeth II at Roanoke Island Festival Park

"Our 4 year old would have stayed all day! He loved pretending to be a pirate on the Elizabeth II. The employees/characters were awesome and so patient with him. They explained how the ship worked, taught him to tie sailor knots, and let him hoist the anchor! He LOVED it!" - H. Pickell

Other Site Attractions

Directions to the Park