Crystal Coast Star Party 2026: Starlight Cruise to Cape Lookout Lighthouse
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Special Event
During our annual star party, 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:
Apr 18, 2026
Time:
7:30 PM
Duration:
3 hours
Ferry cruises are weather dependent. In the event of the inclement weather, there will be astronomy programs/presentations inside.
Contact Information
BG Horvat
252-503-8079
Contact Us
Event Type
- Boat Cruise
- Campfire/Evening Program
- Partner Program
- Talk
Tags:
astronomy, night sky, stargazing, nasa, star party