A rare experience with nature you’ll never forget! Track the Wild Horses of Shackleford Banks with your experienced guide and collect North Carolina’s best shells!
Enjoy a 25-minute ferry ride over to the pristine Outer Banks Island of Shackleford Banks, which is part of Cape Lookout National Seashore There, you will have the opportunity to see the wild horses. This free roaming herd is believed to be descendants of horses that were brought to the United States roughly 400 years ago. They are one of the last isolated groups of wild horses in the United States.
You will help your guide track the horses. Partake on a rare experience with nature that you’ll never forget, as you watch the fascinating behavior of horses. Bring your camera to capture these once-in-a-lifetime moments. Ask questions about the history of Shackleford Banks, and how these horses have survived on a remote island for over 400 years!
After the tour, you will be directed to one of the best shelling beaches in all of North Carolina. Spend some time on your own shelling your way down the beach with the Cape Lookout Lighthouse off in the distance. Find unique shells at one of the best shelling locations on the East Coast. Conchs, Whelks, Queen’s Helmets, Scotch Bonnets, Olive Shells, and Sand Dollars are just a few shells found on Shackleford Banks.
This tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours. THIS IS A COMPLETE WALKING TOUR; NO VEHICLES ARE ON THE ISLAND!
Book your tour today! 252-838-1167
Highly Rated by Guests on TripAdvisor
We have seen the horses on the Outer Banks a few times, but getting out and walking the dunes and seeing them was so much more personal. Our guide/naturalist was extraordinary. So knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and engaging. The tremendous abundance of shells was the icing on the cake. We have already told a great many people to book this trip. We will definitely return.
– Robert B. • TripAdvisor
When we arrived on the island there were 8 horses to welcome us, including the 2 1/2 month old Marley. The island is beautiful and the horses are fabulous. Our guide Ashley was so knowledgeable about the horses and the area. She was so pleasant. We were very pleased with the entire experience.
– Adele F. • TripAdvisor
Tour guide was awesome! We got tons of information about the wild horses and the hike through the middle part of the island was awesome and informative. We were able to find a couple of intact sand dollars and conch shells. Highly recommend this tour!
– Debbie S. • TripAdvisor
We took the guided tour to Shackleford Island and enjoyed every minute of it! Our guide, Ashley was very knowledgeable and we learned so much. This is one of the only wild herds of horses and they have been on the Island since the 1500's! Truly amazing.
– Tori G. • TripAdvisor
This trip was amazing and breathtaking. It was everything I hoped and wanted it to be. We took the ferry over, experienced the guided tour with a very knowledgeable young lady. We got to see all of the horses too!..This was an experience we'll never forget!
– Dana C. • TripAdvisor
Cindy was a true professional! Her knowledge of the island & horses is amazing & only surpassed by her genuine love for them. Cindy’s demeanor is also professional & approachable. We felt as if we’ve known her & have been friends forever. She thoughtfully brought mosquito spray with her because the people who had been on the island the day before mentioned the mosquitoes were unbearable. Most fortunate for all of us whom she generously shared it with. My husband has several autoimmune diseases, 1 which affects his lungs & another which affects his walking, so he & I were quite a way behind our group. Cindy made a point to know where we were & that we were ok. At one point, while the group was shelling, she came back to check on us & show us the horses in that area. She didn’t want us to miss out! As if all that wasn’t perfect enough, when my husband & I met up with our family & the rest of the group to get back on our boat, Cindy had saved a loon that had been injured & rescued him! It was a most uncomfortable trip back to the mainland for her, when the loon would move & accidentally bite her. She never wavered. A true, stellar professional! When we return, we will request a day when Cindy is available to be our group’s guide!
Join Us for a Horse Safari!
Welcome to a rare experience with nature that you’ll never forget. After a quick and scenic ferry ride, you’ll have the opportunity to track the wild horses of Shackleford Banks with your experienced guide, then spend your free time collecting some of North Carolina’s best shells.
This unique safari provides the perfect morning entertainment and helps you connect more deeply with the wildlife and nature around you. Book your experience today!
