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    1. Local experiences/
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    5. Beaufort Sunset Wild Horse & Dolphin Cruise to Shackleford Banks

    The very best experiences curated by local experts

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    Beaufort Sunset Wild Horse & Dolphin Cruise to Shackleford Banks

    Enjoy a narrated sunset cruise with dolphin spotting and an hour on Shackleford Banks.

    From$32/ person

    Duration

    2 Hours

    Includes

    Sunset cruise, Shackleford stop

    Highlights

    Enjoy a narrated sunset cruise from Beaufort to Shackleford Banks and back. Watch for wild horses and dolphins, with one hour on the island.

    1. Cruise at sunset with narrated commentary
    2. Watch for wild horses on Shackleford Banks
    3. Look for dolphins along the route
    4. Spend one hour exploring the island
    5. Return to Beaufort after your island time

    Things to know

    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.

    Cancellation policy

    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.

    Meeting location

    600 Front Street Beaufort, NC 28516

    Perfect for

    • Couples seeking a romantic coastal evening with wildlife viewing
    • Families with kids wanting accessible island exploration
    • Pet owners looking for leash-friendly outdoor adventures
    Experience provided by Island Express Ferry Service LLC
    Experience provided by Island Express Ferry Service LLC

    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

    Reference #ZC89AR

    Adult

    $32

    Round-Trip Price | Ages 12+

    0

    Child

    $20

    Round-Trip Price | Ages 3 to 11

    0

    Additional Luggage or Oversized Luggage

    $5

    Ex. Beach wagons

    0

    Additional Luggage – Surfboard

    $10

    0

    Handpicked for you, so you can book with confidence

    • Best local prices

    • Flexible cancellation

    • Private and secure

    Each booking directly supports small businesses in our community.

    4.8 stars• 1.8K reviews

    Review summary

    4.8
    Excellent
    1.8K reviews•Google Maps

    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 2
    5/5

    Everyone was super nice, helpful and shared interexting information about Shackleford Banks. We weren't scheduled for the return ferry for another hour, but it started raining and they came early. Thank you!!!

    Photo of Jan Miller

    Jan Miller

    November 7, 2025

    Review 1 of 1
    5/5

    Everyone was super nice, helpful and shared interexting information about Shackleford Banks. We weren't scheduled for the return ferry for another hour, but it started raining and they came early. Thank you!!!

    Photo of Jan Miller

    Jan Miller

    November 7, 2025

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