


Beaufort ferry to Shackleford Banks with frequent summer departures
15 Minutes
Round-trip ferry ticket
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.
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.
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.
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.
Beaufort, NC
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