Cruise past Shackleford Banks and watch fireworks after a Cape Lookout stop
2.5 hours
Cruise from Harkers Island past Shackleford Banks and spend about an hour at Cape Lookout lighthouse. Wrap up your evening with fireworks shows from several towns.
This is a special holiday trip and is nonrefundable.
Begin boarding at 6:30 PM.
No. This special holiday trip is nonrefundable.
1800 Island Road in Harkers Island.
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.
Fantastic and each captain brings their unique stories.
Kim Amos
July 3, 2026
Fantastic and each captain brings their unique stories.
Kim Amos
July 3, 2026
Join a Naturalist to track wild horses and find shells on Shackleford Banks
Beaufort ferry to Shackleford Banks with frequent summer departures
Take the authorized ferry straight to Cape Lookout Lighthouse
Enjoy a narrated sunset cruise with dolphin spotting and an hour on Shackleford Banks.
Rent a 4-seat 4WD UTV and explore more of Cape Lookout
Visit Shackleford Banks and Cape Lookout Lighthouse by ferry from Harkers Island