




Enjoy a narrated sunset cruise with dolphin spotting and an hour on Shackleford Banks.
2 Hours
Sunset cruise, Shackleford stop
Enjoy a narrated sunset cruise from Beaufort to Shackleford Banks and back. Watch for wild horses and dolphins, with one hour on the island.
Arrive 30 minutes before departure; late arrivals may be moved to a later ferry and are nonrefundable. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 ft, and stay at least 50 ft from the wild horses. This special cruise is subject to a minimum of 10 adult fares. Each person is allowed two free personal items (carry-ons), and any additional pieces of luggage beyond those two can be added for an extra cost.
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure to be refunded or rescheduled. If the operator cancels due to weather, you may reschedule or receive a full refund. No refunds on Special Events & Holiday Trips.
Product ID: ZC89AR
Arrive 30 minutes before departure. If you arrive late, you may be moved to a later ferry if there is room, and late arrivals are non-refundable.
Yes. You must pick up your actual tickets at the ticket booth when you check in.
Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, water, snacks, comfortable shoes, and beach towels (depending on how long you plan to stay).
Island Express Ferry Service LLC - Beaufort, 600 Front Street, Beaufort, NC 28516
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 boat service was great and the staff was great too.
Chris Roehm
September 2, 2026
The boat service was great and the staff was great too.
Chris Roehm
September 2, 2026
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