Located just south of Beaufort and Harkers Island, this picturesque and undeveloped barrier island shoreline is a popular destination for visitors who would like to relax, take in the salt air, and enjoy the beach scene. Visitors should maintain a safe distance away from the feral Banker Ponies at all times, (50 ft. or more), as these mammals are inherently feral and are not used to human interaction. The manner in which the horses arrived is still a mystery; legend has it that these horses are descendants of Spanish Mustangs that survived a shipwreck. How To Drill A Bathroom Vent Through Brick? If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. You can get to Shackleford Banks by ferry from 2 locations: Beaufort or Harkers Island. The guide would stop every 20 feet or so to tell a long winded story and any time we provided any sort of banter (as she started the trip very light hearted and fun) we were met with digs such as this isnt the time to be funny or to be a marine. Regardless of what sport you want to try, the sheer miles of saltwater will provide a perfect playground for discovering something new. . Read more. Since there are no bridges to any of the islands you must take a vehicle ferry, which is not cheap. (4k) Shackleford Banks, North Carolina. No. This might be a good time, but do it on your own. There are no improved roads on Core Banks. At first, I thought they were great. North Carolinas barrier islands were pounded by Hurricane Florence, and then again by Hurricane Michael, causing flooding, washed out roads and damage to historic buildings. Everything is au nature, might I suggest you bring TP Kits??!! Haywood landing to Long Point Landing - 3.04 miles. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of . The horses can be viewed by boat, on aself-guided hike in the Reserve, or with one of ourlocal ecotour companies. The now-abandoned settlement of Diamond City was located on the Banks, but the last occupants had relocated by 1902. Adjacent to the dock are public use restrooms which also have reopened to the public for the first time since Hurricane Florence. We took the combo tour of Shackleford Banks and Cape Lookout the weekend after Thanksgiving. There is nothing quite like being on an uninhabited island and finding awesome sea shells in abundance. Then we visited Cape Lookout and saw the lighthouse. Their boats and operators are Coast Guard-certified for passenger transport. If you want to make sure you visit the Shackleford Banks during an upcoming Crystal Coast vacation, reserve a ticket well in advance. 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Island Express Ferry Service is located in Beaufort and Harkers Island, North Carolina. There are also cabins for rent on the islands. Market Value. No '); Perhaps the reason that this area of maritime forest goes unnoticed, (an area which in fact comprises the majority of Frisco Village), is simply because the oceanfront beaches just yards away are too alluring to ignore, and garner the lion's share of vacationers' interest. The island was eventually acquired by the National Park Service in the 1960s as part of the newly formed Cape Lookout National Seashore and has been a popular vacation destination albeit an isolated one ever since. When checking in at the ticket booth, prior to departure, the ticket booth agent will ask you what time you would like to be picked up from the island. Only dead and down wood (driftwood) may be collected for firewood. Before riding out to the banks, check the rules and locations of these access points. Just remember that this is a place dedicated to nature, so there are no bathrooms, restaurants, etc. We cannot push back pick-up times. 600 Front Street Any open flame fire such as a campfire or bonfire must be built on the beach in damp sand below the high tide line. No idea. We took the ferry which was fun. Once youve arrived on the Shackleford Banks, there are a wealth of sunny beach activities in store. 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. Still, the horses are wild animals and are not fed, watered or housedwith human interference. Staff and crew were helpful, professional and friendly with the Down East flair that keeps Harkers Island a truly unique gem here in the great United States. Scientists, historians and nature lovers alike have speculated the origins of the Shackleford horses, or "Banker ponies" -- the most popular being that the horses swam ashore after a Spanish ship exploring the new world met with a tragic fate off of North Carolina's shores. The foal followed a group of people on Shackleford Banks for two hours on March 26 with no other horses around, according to a release from the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Harkers Island, Leave the stress of the mainland behind. Visitors who want to explore a natural portion of the Cape Lookout National Seashore with little effort will want to check out the Shackleford Banks. (NPS Photo by Park VIP, Crystal Wasley) HARKERS ISLAND, Carteret County . A ferry leaves from Davis, North Carolina, to South Core Banks and from Atlantic, North Carolina, to North Core Banks. npplan.com. Both ends/sides of the island have beautiful beaches. Popular expeditions include horse tours and shelling cruises, which take visitors to the best vantage points to shell hunt or catch a glimpse of the famed banker ponies, both on and off the beach. At Shackleford Banks we saw the wild horses and walked around the shore for an hour. more, Beaufort Historic Site Old Burying Ground, Beaufort Historic Site Visitor Center and Museum, Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center. A complete set of the current rules is available on their website. (The Shackleford family traced their Virginia origins to the village of Shacklefords in King and Queen County.). This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Ride in new, fast, and comfortable ferries alongside all local experienced captains and crew. "John Shackleford at the garrison at the Shackleford Plantation to be allowed to plant Corne on said Plantation, plant, tend and gather Corne during time they keep a garrison there."