Milky way above lighthouse and building. Sand in the foreground. Lighthouse light is on.

Starlight Cruise to Cape Lookout Lighthouse

Cape Lookout National Seashore

Special Event
  • May 16, 2026 at 7:30 PM
  • Fees apply
Join a park ranger for a starry night beside the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. The park ranger will give a program about different constellations, stories about using the stars for navigation, and more. Enjoy the first International Dark Sky Park on the East Coast. Visitors will experience the night skies with the sound of the waves crashing along the shore.
 
Island Express Ferry Service will be taking visitors from Harkers Island Visitor Center to Cape Lookout Lighthouse by passenger ferry. Ferry passengers will disembark from the starlight cruise for a laser-pointed tour of the night sky by a park ranger.
 
Visitors should bring chairs, bug spray, jackets, and red-light flashlights. The program will be around the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, where chairs are not available. Restrooms are available at the Light Station Visitor Center and at Harkers Island Visitor Center.
 
This program is weather dependent. If rain or wind is predicted, the event will be canceled.

Fees

Starlight cruises are reservation only. The ferry service is run by Island Express Ferry Service. For reservations call 252-728-7433.

Location

Visitors will catch the Island Express Ferry from Harkers Island Visitor Center

Latitude and Longitude 34.685654, -76.526238

Schedule

Date:

May 16, 2026

Time:

7:30 PM

Duration:

3 hours

Ferry cruises are weather dependent. In the event of the inclement weather, this event will be canceled.

Contact Information

Sabrina Godin
(252) 838-8906
Contact Us

Event Type

  • Boat Cruise
  • Campfire/Evening Program
  • Partner Program
  • Talk
Tags: astronomy, night sky, stargazing