Island Express Ferry Service carries you to the unspoiled beauty of North Carolina’s Crystal Coast with ease and local charm. As the only ferry authorized to land at Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Shackleford Banks, they turn simple ...
Island Express Ferry Service carries you to the unspoiled beauty of North Carolina’s Crystal Coast with ease and local charm. As the only ferry authorized to land at Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Shackleford Banks, they turn simple ...
The staff really stands out here, with everyone from the ticket counter to the boat captains getting consistent praise for being friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about the islands. Reviewers describe this as an "old school business" with reasonable prices and genuinely nice people, which seems increasingly rare. Several visitors mentioned crew members going above and beyond, like coming early to pick up passengers when weather turned bad or helping out when travel plans got complicated. The destinations themselves, Shackleford Banks and Cape Lookout, are clearly the main draw with their wild horses, excellent shelling, and serene beaches. Travelers rave about spotting horses along the shoreline and feeling like they have the island to themselves. A couple practical tips from recent visitors: bring serious bug spray since mosquitoes can be intense, and watch out for parking enforcement near the dock since signage isn't great. Overall, this comes across as a straightforward, well-run operation staffed by people who genuinely care about giving visitors a good island experience.
The trip and tour to Shackleford Banks was very great. The tour guide for the horses, Mary-Ann I believe was her name, was very knowledgeable and fun. Overall, we saw a total of 6 horses.
Masked Ninja
May 19, 2026
The trip and tour to Shackleford Banks was very great. The tour guide for the horses, Mary-Ann I believe was her name, was very knowledgeable and fun. Overall, we saw a total of 6 horses.
Masked Ninja
May 19, 2026
