Horse Sense and Survival Tours

Horse Watching on Shackleford Banks at
Cape Lookout National Seashore

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.

 

2012 Tour Dates and Times

June 19, Tuesday, Cape Point Marina
Meet by 11:15 a.m. at 1390 Island Rd, 7.7 miles after turning off Hwy 70, near the East end of Harkers Island on the right side of the road, leave at 11:30 ; catch ferry to return at3:30 p.m. and return to marina by 3:45 p.m. The round trip walk begins at 11:30 a.m. on Shackleford Banks west of Whale Creek Bay and concludes by 3:30 p.m.
Ferry Phone Number (for directions only): 252-728-6181
Ferry Fee: $10 per person.

July 13, Friday, Local Yokel Ferry
Meet by 8:00 a.m., 1st ferry on the right on Harkers Island, 516 Island Rd. 28531, leave at 8:15; catch ferry to return at 12:30 and finish by 12:45 p.m. The round trip walking tour begins at 8:30 at the east end of Shackleford Banks and returns to marina at 12:30 p.m.
Ferry Phone Number (for directions only): 252-728-2759
Ferry Fee: $15 for adults, $12 for kids 12 and under.

August 14, Tuesday, Indoor Presentation
NO RESERVATION REQUIRED. Meet at the Harkers Island Visitor Center, 131 Charles Street, Harkers Island, NC 28531. Presentation will begin at 7:00 PM in the theater.

September 8, Saturday, Waterfront Ferry Service
Meet by 8:45 a.m. in Morehead City, just west of the NC State Port entrance, 209 Arendell St., 28557, leave at 9:00 a.m.; catch ferry to return at 1:00 p.m., and finish by 1:30 p.m. The round trip walk begins at 9:30 a.m. on Shackleford at the west end dock and returns to marina at 1:00 p.m.
Ferry Phone Number (for directions only): 252-726-7678
Ferry Fee: $15 for adults, $9 for kids 12 and under.

October 27, Saturday, Cape Point Marina
Meet by 11:15 a.m. at 1390 Island Rd, 7.7 miles after turning off of Hwy 70, near the East end of Harkers Island on the right side of the road, leave at 11:30; catch ferry to return at 3:30 p.m. and finish by 3:45 p.m. Information on ferry prices, meeting locations, and tour times will be forthcoming
Ferry Phone Number (for directions only): 252-728-6181
Ferry Fee: $13 for adults, $9 for kids 9 and under.

November 17, Saturday, Outer Banks Ferry
Meet by 8:45 a.m. in downtown Beaufort across from the Maritime Museum, 328 Front St, 28516, (plan extra time to park - some parking is restricted to 1 or 3 hours); leave at 9:00 a.m.; catch ferry to return at 12:00 p.m. and return to marina by 12:30 p.m. The round trip walk begins at 9:30 a.m. on Shackleford at the west end dock and concludes there at 12:00 p.m.
Ferry Phone Number (for directions only): 252-728-4129
Ferry Fee: $15 for adults, $8 for kids 11 and under

 

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