Shackleford Banks Shelling & Wild Horse Expedition, Beaufort

About Shackleford Banks Shelling & Wild Horse Expedition

Shackleford Banks Shelling & Wild Horse Expedition offers guided walking tours across Shackleford Banks, part of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Visitors take a 25-minute ferry to the island, then walk with an experienced guide to track the free-roaming wild horse herd, believed to be descendants of horses brought to North America roughly 400 years ago. The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours and involves no vehicles on the island. After observing the horses and learning their history from the guide, visitors spend time shelling on one of North Carolina's best shelling beaches, with the Cape Lookout Lighthouse visible in the distance. Shells commonly found here include conchs, whelks, queen's helmets, scotch bonnets, olive shells, and sand dollars. This walking tour suits visitors interested in wildlife observation and beachcombing, located in Beaufort, North Carolina. Daily departures are available, and reservations are required.