The best shelling is when the tide is going out. There is a primitive bathroom, but no water. The Shackleford Banks is a key part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, a national park that averages about 33,300 visitors a month. [3] You may want to look at Sand Dollar Island though. Bring what you need! The horses were allowed to roam the entire site and eventually became feral. Date: July 2, 2019 Contact: Nate Toering, 252-838-8909 Harkers Island, NC Cape Lookout National Seashore is pleased to announce that the dock on Shackleford Banks has reopened to ferry traffic for the first time since Hurricane Florence. Outer Banks Map. You may picnic anywhere in the park. Read more. The shelling is fantastic - more than we've ever seen elsewhere on the North Carolina coast. If you want shells, go early or on the first boat after high tide. Ferry service is more sporadic in the off season, too. The Back Sound waters are shallow and calm, and are ideal for anchoring for an afternoon. For any additional information, please contact the park directly at (252) 728-2250 ext. Many ferry or water taxis that depart from Beaufort like Island Ferry Service allow passengers to book well ahead of time online, ensuring that you have a spot secured to visit the coastline. At first, I thought they were great. Used for exploration, the horses became indispensable in the New World. There are no public restrooms or any facilities along the Shackleford Banks, so come prepared to enjoy a desolate island shoreline at its truest definition. While their exact arrival is woven into history, extensiveresearch and genetic testing indicate that these wild horses are of certainly of Spanish origin and have been discussed in local folklore for centuries. Are There Toilet Facilities? The Shackleford Banks was first acquired by a Virginia planter named John Shackleford in 1713 who was granted several large tracts of coastal NC land, which included the skinny barrier island. I went there yesterday with some friends..we walked over to the ocean side. We took a ferry from the park service to Shackleford Banks and to Cedar Point. [5] This tract on the early maps was known as Sea Banks. We overslept and they graciously moved our tour to the following day. Do not use the wood from shipwreck timbers or cut any standing dead trees, specifically on Shackleford Banks. Everything is au nature, might I suggest you bring TP Kits??!! Cape Lookout, and the lighthouse, is over on Core Banks, the next island to the north and east. This is the perfect adventure for kids and adults alike. Steer clear of the inlets whenever possible to avoid big tidal currents, and watch for maritime traffic of all sizes that can be found within the Back Sound, which is a portion of. Fires must not be greater than 3 feet in diameter. Before leaving, you will schedule your pick-up time at the ticket booth. As a result, a wide variety of seashells can be found along the beaches, including whelks, Scotch bonnets, olive shells, augers, sand dollars, colorful scallops, and moon snails. shackleford shells beaufort sand beach cactus bathroom waves forest helmets mud ankle pile miles breeze fee 4.5 234 reviews Excellent 186 Very good 32 Average 9 Poor 4 Terrible 3 reddobie USA422 contributions 1 Didn't see any horses unfortunately.but lovely island Aug. 2022 At Shackleford Banks we saw the wild horses and walked around the shore for an hour. In the summertime, the waters that border the Shackleford Banks are teeming with privately owned skiffs and small vessels that anchor just offshore, and mariners can easily hop off the boat to enjoy a day of sunning on the sand. But be aware that fishing regulations including seasons, size limits and licensing requirements are set by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. (NPS Photo by Park VIP, Crystal Wasley) HARKERS ISLAND, Carteret County . CAPE LOOKOUT LIGHTHOUSE IS CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR CLIMBING, Americas Favorite Town by Travel+Leisure Are there bathroom facilities? Beaufort: