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    5. Ride a Round-Trip Ferry to Shackleford Banks
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    Ride a Round-Trip Ferry to Shackleford Banks

    Beaufort ferry to Shackleford Banks with frequent summer departures

    4.8 stars• 1.9K reviews
    From$30/ personincl. taxes and fees

    Duration

    15 Minutes

    Includes

    Round-trip ferry ticket

    Highlights

    Take a quick ferry ride from Beaufort to Shackleford Banks with a round-trip ticket. Plan ahead for check-in, return pickup times, and carry-on limits.

    • Ride a 15-minute ferry each way between Beaufort and Shackleford Banks
    • Choose a round-trip ticket with summer departures every 30 minutes
    • Arrive 30 minutes early to pick up your tickets at the booth
    • Bring up to 2 carry-ons per person at no extra charge
    • Keep pets leashed at 6 feet or less while on the island
    • Stay at least 50 feet from the wild horses for safety

    Things to know

    Return pickup times from the island cannot be changed. Missing your pickup may result in a $150 fee for a ferry to come get you. Additional carry-ons cost $5 each.

    Cancellation Policy

    Cancel at least 24 hours before departure to receive a refund. If Island Express Ferry Service cancels due to inclement weather, you can reschedule or receive a full refund.

    FAQs

    Arrive 30 minutes before departure. If you miss your departure time, you forfeit your scheduled time and go on standby for the next available ferry; late arrivals are non-refundable.

    No. Return pickup times from the island cannot be changed. Arrive at the pickup point at least 15 minutes early.

    If you miss your pickup time, there is no guarantee of space on a later pickup. If you cannot get on a later pickup, you will be charged a $150 fee to have a ferry come out and get you.

    Meeting details

    Beaufort, NC

    Experience provided by Island Express Ferry Service LLC
    Experience provided by Island Express Ferry Service LLC

    Perfect for

    • Beach day seekers wanting quick island access from the mainland
    • Families with pets looking for a pet-friendly island getaway
    • Solo travelers or small groups exploring the Outer Banks coast

    How can we help?

    We are here to assist with special requests, large groups, last minute needs, and any questions you may have.

    Call or text (650) 414-7338

    Report an issue

    Reference #882NBE

    Adult

    $30.12

    Round-Trip Price | Ages 12+

    0

    Child

    $22

    Round-Trip Price | Ages 3 to 11

    0

    Why book through Greetwell?

    • No Added Fees

      No booking or service fees, ever

    • Concierge Support Included

      Real humans ready to help with timing, questions, or special requests

    • Free Cancellation Available

      Most experiences can be cancelled for a full refund

    Discover what we've curated for you

    Review summary

    4.8
    Excellent
    1.9K reviews•Google Maps
    1,588
    208
    43
    13
    25

    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.

    What people are saying

    Review 1 of 4
    5/5

    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.

    Photo of Masked Ninja

    Masked Ninja

    May 19, 2026

    Review 1 of 1
    5/5

    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.

    Photo of Masked Ninja

    Masked Ninja

    May 19, 2026

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