Free Concierge Service
    Text or call 1-877-GREET-WELL
    Ask AIAI
    Ask AIAI
    1. Local experiences
    2. /Things to do in Beaufort…
    3. /Airport and Transfer Services
    4. /Ferries
    5. /Ride a Ferry to Shackleford Banks & Cape Lookout
    Why travelers choose Greetwell

    Curated by our team

    Every experience is hand selected and approved by Greetwell.

    Personal concierge

    Real humans available to help before, during, and after your booking.

    Intimate & authentic

    Including unique in-home experiences you won't find anywhere else.

    Easy booking & cancellation

    Reserve in minutes with free cancellation on most experiences.

    Greetwell

    Experiences that stay with you long after the trip

    Greetwell curates authentic local experiences and provides personal concierge support in over 500 destinations, helping you explore confidently wherever you go.

    About

    • Our Story
    • For Experience Providers
    • For Hospitality Partners
    • For Developers

    Resources

    • Travel Guides
    • Experience Gift Cards
    • Help Center
    [email protected]1-877-GREET-WELL

    Safe & Secure Payments

    © 2026 Greetwell, Inc. All rights reserved.
    Privacy PolicyTerms
    Product image 1
    Gallery image

    Ride a Ferry to Shackleford Banks & Cape Lookout

    Visit Shackleford Banks and Cape Lookout Lighthouse by ferry from Harkers Island

    4.8 stars• 2K reviews

    Includes

    Ferry ride to two islands

    Highlights

    Take a combo ferry trip from the Harkers Island Visitor Center to Shackleford Banks and the Cape Lookout Lighthouse area. Enjoy time on both islands with set return pick-up times.

    • Depart from Harkers Island Visitor Center and ride the ferry to two islands
    • Explore Shackleford Banks at your own pace
    • Stop at Cape Lookout Dock for Cape Lookout Lighthouse area access
    • Follow fixed return pick-up times from each island
    • Bring up to two carry-ons per person at no extra cost
    • Add pets on leash with a separate pet ticket

    What's Included

    • Ferry ride to two islands
    • Two free carry-ons per person

    Things to know

    This trip cannot accommodate wheelchairs at this time. Missing your island pick-up may result in a $150 fee for a ferry pickup.

    Cancellation Policy

    Cancel at least 24 hours prior to departure for a refund. If Island Express Ferry Service cancels due to inclement weather, you can reschedule or receive a full refund. No refunds on Special Events & Holiday Trips.

    Product ID: GYXQ52

    FAQs

    Arrive 30 minutes before departure. Pick up your actual tickets at the ticket booth when you check in.

    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 pick-up times from the islands cannot be changed. Arrive at the pick-up point at least 15 minutes early.

    Meeting details

    Beaufort, NC

    Experience provided by Island Express Ferry Service

    Related locations

    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 1-877-GREET-WELL

    Report an issue

    Adult

    $37.09

    Round-Trip Price | Ages 12+

    0

    Child

    $25.49

    Round-Trip Price | Ages 3 to 11

    0

    Infant

    $0

    Ages 2 and Under | Must be included for headcount

    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
    2K 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 3
    5/5

    The boat service was great and the staff was great too.

    Photo of Chris Roehm

    Chris Roehm

    September 2, 2026

    Review 1 of 1
    5/5

    The boat service was great and the staff was great too.

    Photo of Chris Roehm

    Chris Roehm

    September 2, 2026

    Nearby activities

    Ride a Ferry to Cape Lookout Lighthouse From Beaufort
    Ferries

    Ride a Ferry to Cape Lookout Lighthouse From Beaufort

    Take the authorized ferry straight to Cape Lookout Lighthouse

    Take the authorized ferry straight to Cape Lookout Lighthouse
    4.8 • 2K reviews
    $72/ person
    Ride a Round-Trip Ferry to Cape Lookout Lighthouse
    Ferries

    Ride a Round-Trip Ferry to Cape Lookout Lighthouse

    Quick round-trip ferry to Cape Lookout Dock, with summer departures every 30 minutes

    Quick round-trip ferry to Cape Lookout Dock, with summer departures every 30 minutes
    4.8 • 2K reviews
    $30/ person
    Round-Trip Ferry Ride to Shackleford Banks
    Ferries

    Round-Trip Ferry Ride to Shackleford Banks

    Ride the ferry from Harkers Island Visitor Center to Shackleford Banks

    Ride the ferry from Harkers Island Visitor Center to Shackleford Banks
    4.8 • 2K reviews
    $30/ person
    Beaufort Ghost Walk
    Ghost and Haunted

    Beaufort Ghost Walk

    Walk Beaufort after dark with researched ghost stories and pirate legends

    Walk Beaufort after dark with researched ghost stories and pirate legends
    4.8 • 535 reviews
    $29/ person
    Wild Horse & Shelling Safari on Shackleford Banks
    Wildlife Safaris

    Wild Horse & Shelling Safari on Shackleford Banks

    Join a Naturalist to track wild horses and find shells on Shackleford Banks

    Join a Naturalist to track wild horses and find shells on Shackleford Banks
    4.8 • 86 reviews
    $92/ person
    Sail to Cape Lookout for Beach Time & Lunch
    Sailing

    Sail to Cape Lookout for Beach Time & Lunch

    Sail to Cape Lookout for beach time, catered lunch, and lighthouse views on a stable catamaran

    Sail to Cape Lookout for beach time, catered lunch, and lighthouse views on a stable catamaran
    5.0 • 1.5K reviews
    $168/ person