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    5. Quick Ferry to Shackleford's Wild Horses
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    Quick Ferry to Shackleford's Wild Horses

    Ride a 15-minute ferry with frequent summer departures and round-trip service

    4.8 stars• 1.8K reviews
    From$24/ person

    Duration

    15 Minutes

    Includes

    Round-trip ferry, Two carry-ons

    Highlights

    Take a 15-minute round-trip ferry from Beaufort to Shackleford Banks. In summer, departures run every 30 minutes for easy planning.

    1. Pick up tickets at the booth before boarding
    2. Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure
    3. Keep your assigned return time and be at pickup 15 minutes early
    4. Bring sunscreen, water, snacks, and insect repellent
    5. Leash pets and stay at least 50 feet from wild horses
    6. Pack out all trash to help protect the islands

    What's Included

    1. Round-trip ferry transportation
    2. Two carry-ons per person

    Things to know

    Return pickups are fixed and space on later ferries is not guaranteed. Some areas have rip currents; follow crew guidance. Trips are subject to minimum fares to operate. Each traveler is allowed two free personal items (carry-ons), and any additional luggage beyond these free items can be added for an extra fee.

    Cancellation Policy

    Cancel at least 24 hours before departure to be refunded or rescheduled. No refunds for Special Events & Holiday Trips. Late arrivals are non-refundable. If Island Express Ferry Service cancels due to inclement weather, you may reschedule or receive a full refund.

    Meeting details

    600 Front Street Beaufort, NC 28516

    Perfect for

    • Beach day seekers wanting quick island access from the mainland
    • Families with pets looking for a pet-friendly island getaway
    • Solo travelers or small groups exploring the Outer Banks coast
    Experience provided by Island Express Ferry Service LLC
    Experience provided by Island Express Ferry Service LLC

    How can we help?

    We are here to assist with special requests, large groups, last minute needs, and any questions you may have.

    Call or text (650) 414-7338

    Reference #882NBE

    Adult

    $24.66

    Round-Trip Price | Ages 12+

    0

    Child

    $17.47

    Round-Trip Price | Ages 3 to 11

    0

    Why book through Greetwell?

    • No Added Fees

      No booking or service fees, ever

    • Concierge Support Included

      Real humans ready to help with timing, questions, or special requests

    • Free Cancellation Available

      Most experiences can be cancelled for a full refund

    Discover what we've curated for you

    Review summary

    4.8
    Excellent
    1.8K reviews•Google Maps

    The staff really stands out here, with everyone from the ticket counter to the boat captains getting consistent praise for being friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about the islands. Reviewers describe this as an "old school business" with reasonable prices and genuinely nice people, which seems increasingly rare. Several visitors mentioned crew members going above and beyond, like coming early to pick up passengers when weather turned bad or helping out when travel plans got complicated. The destinations themselves, Shackleford Banks and Cape Lookout, are clearly the main draw with their wild horses, excellent shelling, and serene beaches. Travelers rave about spotting horses along the shoreline and feeling like they have the island to themselves. A couple practical tips from recent visitors: bring serious bug spray since mosquitoes can be intense, and watch out for parking enforcement near the dock since signage isn't great. Overall, this comes across as a straightforward, well-run operation staffed by people who genuinely care about giving visitors a good island experience.

    What people are saying

    Review 1 of 2
    5/5

    Everyone was super nice, helpful and shared interexting information about Shackleford Banks. We weren't scheduled for the return ferry for another hour, but it started raining and they came early. Thank you!!!

    Photo of Jan Miller

    Jan Miller

    November 7, 2025

    Review 1 of 1
    5/5

    Everyone was super nice, helpful and shared interexting information about Shackleford Banks. We weren't scheduled for the return ferry for another hour, but it started raining and they came early. Thank you!!!

    Photo of Jan Miller

    Jan Miller

    November 7, 2025

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