Quick Details
Adult (Ages 12+)
$ 39.95
Child (Ages 3-11)
$ 24.95
Infants (2 & under)
Free
Senior/Active Military
$ 38.95
Shackleford Banks Horses Safari Departing from Harkers Island
Take a 15-minute ferry ride from Harkers Island, NC to see the Shackleford Banks horses’ home. Your guided tour will take you through dunes, maritime forest, and through the marsh to search for the free-roaming horses. This tour is for those seeking an adventure. Shackleford Banks features large dunes and no designated trails. Your tour guide will lead you through the dunes in hopes of finding these magical horses.
Along the tour, you will learn behaviors, history, and how these horses have survived hundreds of years. These magnificent animals are one of the last isolated groups of wild horses in the United States. You will walk through the dunes to hopefully find the wild horses grazing, drinking, or the rare sight of stallions fighting.
At the end of your tour, you will leave with a once in a lifetime memory of horses, shells, and other wildlife. Reserve your spot today, as these tours fill up quickly!
Shackleford Wild Horse and Shelling Safari has been licensed by the Cape Lookout National Seashore, the National Park Service, for over a decade and a half to conduct tours on the island. We provide unique tours and programs for visitors! This is a private tour with Shackleford Banks Shelling Safari.
Note: Ferry fare is included. This tour is not designed for shelling. If you would like to book a guided shelling tour, please book our Low Tide Shelling Guided Tour on Shackleford Banks.
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- Wild Horse & Shelling Safari is a guided tour that takes place on a wild yet beautiful island. There are no sidewalks or boardwalks on the island, and the tour is of a strenuous nature. You will walk up to two miles over soft, deep sand, up and over sand dunes and through potentially muddy salt marshes, hiking into the interior of an uninhabited, undeveloped island.
- If you have any trouble walking, or have any pre-existing conditions that affect your health in a way that would make it difficult for you to handle the terrain and physical demands described above, or if it would be dangerous for you to be far away from the possibility of emergency medical attention, then this tour is not recommended for you.
- Please book a spot for an infant. There is no charge, but we need to keep them in our count.
- Please be sure that all the members of your group are aware of the warning above, and the members of your group are not placed in danger by overestimating or overstating the abilities of the members of your group.
- Dogs are not allowed on this program.
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All ferry boats are fully U.S. Coast Guard inspected and carry all the latest required safety gear.
How long will we be on the island?
The minimum amount of time you will be on the island is two hours. You schedule your pickup time when you check in for the tour, and you are welcome to choose a later time if you want to stay past the time of the tour to enjoy swimming or exploring more of the island.
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What do we need to wear?
You should wear what you would normally wear for a day at the beach. Many people like to wear their bathing suit so that they are able to swim if they choose. You will want to wear shoes that you don’t mind getting sandy or wet. We find that the best choices are sandals with a heel strap, Crocs, water shoes, or the equivalent. You probably don’t want to wear sneakers and socks, or any type of shoe with a heel. A hat is a good idea, as there is very little shade on the island.
What do we need to bring?
You are welcome to bring as much or as little as you like with the Captain’s discretion. Since you are able to spend additional time on the island after the tour, you are welcome to bring coolers, beach chairs, umbrellas, beach bags, fishing rods, etc.
Many folks like to bring a picnic lunch and stay on the island for an extra hour or two after the tour to have lunch, spend more time looking for shells, go swimming, go fishing, or whatever else. Shackleford is a great place to spend the day relaxing and soaking up the sun. You should definitely bring some water. Other things to consider bringing: sunscreen, camera, binoculars, and snacks.
What’s on the island?
It’s important that you know there are no concessions of any kind on the island, so you will need to bring whatever you need to be comfortable with you.
Are there bathrooms on the island?
There is a flushable bathroom about .5 mile from the ferry drop off. We recommend using the restroom before departing for the ferry. Public restrooms are available in Beaufort Town Hall, at 701 Front St, Beaufort, NC 28516, and at 328 Front St, Beaufort, NC 28516.
Where does the ferry leave from?
Wild Horse & Shelling Safari from Beaufort, North Carolina. We currently do not offer tours from Harkers Island, NC.
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Reservations are required. Please reserve your tour by booking online or giving us a call.
We operate on a daily schedule. Tours are generally available during the months of mid-March through August. However, this tour will operate year-round as long as we can reach a minimum number of guests. During the months between Labor Day and Memorial Day, please call to make arrangements.
Please be sure that you’re following these directions:
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- Meet your guide before boarding the ferry
- Do not purchase separate ferry tickets, as these are included as part of your Wild Horse & Shelling Safari!
- Must Be there 30 minutes prior to departure!
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In order to receive a refund, you must cancel 48 hours before the tour. This is so we have a chance to fill your spots. If you don’t cancel 48 hours before the tour, there will be no refunds available.