Horse Sense and Survival Tours

Horse Watching on Shackleford Banks at
Cape Lookout National Seashore

 

NPS Image by Felicia Nawn

Join a Park Ranger for a glimpse into the world of the wild horses of Shackleford Banks.

Reservations & information: Cape Lookout [phone] ext. 0 and by e-mail. Call for more complete driving directions, a park site bulletin with a map, and answers to your questions.

Reservation Required with Cape Lookout National Seashore. The park will make your ferry reservation for you. Ferry fees will be collected by the ferry service immediately before or after your trip. Fees are priced per round trip. A limited number of spaces are available. Please be on time.

 

2013 Tour Dates and Times

June 15, Saturday, Island Ferry Adventures
Meet by 7:45 am at 610 Front St, Beaufort, NC 28516, diagonally across from BB&T Bank and Inlet Inn. (Leave extra time to find parking; some spaces have time limits.) The ferry leaves at 8:00 am. Catch the ferry to return at 11:20 am and finish by 11:45 am. The walking trip begins at 8:25 am on Shackleford Banks at the west end dock and concludes at 11:20 am.

Ferry Phone Number: [phone]
Ferry Fee: $15 for adults, $8 for kids 12 and under
** PARTICIPANTS NEED TO CALL THE FERRY and give credit/debit card information to secure a spot.

July 19, Friday, Cape Point Marina
Meet by 7:45 am at 1390 Island Rd, Harkers Island, NC 28531, 7.7 miles after turning off of Hwy 70 on the right side of the road. The ferry leaves at 8:00 am. Catch the ferry to return at 12:15 pm and return to the marina by 12:30 pm. The walking tour begins at 8:15 am on the east end of Shackleford Banks and concludes by 12:15 pm.

Ferry Phone Number (for directions only): [phone]
Ferry Fee: $15 for adults, $10 for kids 9 and younger

September 22, Sunday, Local Yokel Ferry
Meet by 8:45 am at 516 Island Rd, Harkers Island, 28531, the first ferry on the right on Harkers Island. Ferry leaves at 9:00 am. Catch the ferry to return at 12:30 pm and finish by 12:45 pm. The walking tour begins at 9:15 am at Whale Creek Bay (mid-island) and concludes at 12:30 pm.

Ferry Phone Number (for directions only): [phone]
Ferry Fee: $15 for adults, $10 for kids 10 and younger

October 19, Saturday, Calico Jack's
Meet by 10:30 am at 1698 Island Rd, Harkers Island, NC 28531, on the right side of the road on the far East end of Harkers Island. The ferry leaves at 10:45 am. Catch the ferry to return at 3:00 pm and finish by 3:15 pm. The walking tour begins at 11:00 am on the est end of Shackleford Banks and ends at 3:00 pm.

Ferry Phone Number (for directions only): [phone]
Ferry Fee: $10 per person

November 6, Saturday, Outer Banks Ferry
Meet by 8:45 am at 328 Front St, Beaufort, NC 28516, across from the Maritime Museum. (Leave extra time to find parking; some spaces have time limits.) Ferry leaves at 9:00 am. Catch the ferry to return at 12:00 pm and return to marina by 12:30 pm. The walking tour begins at 9:30 am on Shackleford Banks at the west end dock and concludes there at 12:00 pm.

Ferry Phone Number (for directions only): [phone]
Ferry Fee: $15 for adults, $8 for kids 11 and younger

 

Private Boat Transportation: If you have your own boat, there is no charge for the program. Be sure to note the Shackleford Banks meeting time & location for your trip. You must have a reservation with Cape Lookout National Seashore to participate.

Waiting Lists are kept - and used. If you have a reservation and cannot participate, please call as early as possible so someone else can have your spot.

Young People under 10 or 12 may get bored with our long periods of standing and watching and may need you to take them exploring on their own.

Leaving the Group part way through the trip to explore on your own is possible. Please tell the leader when you leave. Be ready to take yourself back to the ferry departure spot on time.

Walking Shoes: Be prepared to walk through deep sand & wet marshes and climb dune hills. The horses roam far and wide and so we'll be walking to find them.

Weather: No rain dates are scheduled; we plan to go unless the weather is too bad to boat out. You may call Cape Lookout National Seashore before 4:30 p.m. the day before your trip if the weather is chancy. In summer, be prepared for very high heat indexes -- dress in loose fitting clothes and bring extra water.

Closed Toe Walking Shoes That Can Get Wet are recommended. The horses roam far and wide so we'll be walking to find them. Be prepared to walk through deep sand, wade in salt water (in the marsh and /or from boat to shore), wade in fresh water (in rain puddles), and climb steep dune hills. You'll need protection from cactus, sand spurs, and oysters/sharp shells. Closed toe shoes are strongly advised (no flip-flops). Walking barefooted in the water is not advised. In colder months, a small towel to dry feet when changing footwear between (possibly multiple) wading episodes is helpful; you'll be carrying the 2nd pair of shoes. (You may want a change of footwear back at the car for the drive home.) We'll be pushing through prickly needlerush; between this and the bugs, some participants prefer long pants.

Staying Past the Program End may be possible; arrange your pickup time with the ferry operator the morning of the trip.

Remember to bring:

• lunch & snacks
• water and other drinks in a re-closable bottle
• hat
• sunscreen
• bug repellent
• rain jacket (also for spray in the boat)
• binoculars
• camera, telephoto lens desirable
• daypack/bag to carry these items (hard sided coolers are too heavy to carry)
• sturdy walking shoes -- that can get wet, salty & dirty and will protect from cactus, sand spurs & sharp oysters while wading (please, no flip-flops)
• some participants prefer long pants against bugs and needlerush
• in colder weather, a towel to dry feet when changing footwear between wading episodes