Shackleford Banks Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

"Beauty and Beast" Image of wild horses captured at Shackleford Banks in North Carolina during an overnight camping trip at nearby Cape Lookout Island. To get to this island, you have to take a ferry from Harkers Island (or take your own boat to the island if you have/rent one). The ferry is pretty reasonable and in the summer, they operate relatively long hours. I'd advise going early before the sun is too high and on days that the humidity is low, as there is no shade on the island whatsoever. Carry plenty of water with you in any case, as the island is very long and you might have to walk a fair distance before you come across the wild horses. Other than the horses, there's really nothing else on this island. There is wild camping permitted on the island, so you could make it an overnight trip and have the ferry pick you up the following day. If so, carry food and anything else you might need as there are no facilities on the island. Also carry bug spray as the no see ums will be out in murderous numbers at sundown. The Harkers Ferry also offers options to combine a trip to Cape Lookout and to Shackleford Banks, so you could cover two locations in one trip. I've heard this place can have magical sunsets/sunrises. On this trip, didn't have much luck with either. But was lucky to stumble across these horses just chilling in the mid morning sun. If you do visit the island, please exercise caution as these horses are wild. They are used to seeing humans around but getting close to them or feeding them is not advisable. This image was taken with a telephoto lens from quite some distance away. Also watch out for cacti - they are around and you run into em when you least expect em. Thank you for stopping by. #NC #USA #Horses #WildHorses #ShacklefordBanks #colorful #blue #camp #weekend #bestof5 #hiking
"Beauty and Beast" Image of wild horses captured at Shackleford Banks in North Carolina during an overnight camping trip at nearby Cape Lookout Island. To get to this island, you have to take a ferry from Harkers Island (or take your own boat to the island if you have/rent one). The ferry is pretty reasonable and in the summer, they operate relatively long hours. I'd advise going early before the sun is too high and on days that the humidity is low, as there is no shade on the island whatsoever. Carry plenty of water with you in any case, as the island is very long and you might have to walk a fair distance before you come across the wild horses. Other than the horses, there's really nothing else on this island. There is wild camping permitted on the island, so you could make it an overnight trip and have the ferry pick you up the following day. If so, carry food and anything else you might need as there are no facilities on the island. Also carry bug spray as the no see ums will be out in murderous numbers at sundown. The Harkers Ferry also offers options to combine a trip to Cape Lookout and to Shackleford Banks, so you could cover two locations in one trip. I've heard this place can have magical sunsets/sunrises. On this trip, didn't have much luck with either. But was lucky to stumble across these horses just chilling in the mid morning sun. If you do visit the island, please exercise caution as these horses are wild. They are used to seeing humans around but getting close to them or feeding them is not advisable. This image was taken with a telephoto lens from quite some distance away. Also watch out for cacti - they are around and you run into em when you least expect em. Thank you for stopping by. #NC #USA #Horses #WildHorses #ShacklefordBanks #colorful #blue #camp #weekend #bestof5 #hiking
Crystal Coast Oceanfront Hotel

Crystal Coast Oceanfront Hotel

3 out of 5
511 Salter Path Rd Atlantic Beach NC
The price is ₹8,354 per night from 15 Jan to 16 Jan
₹8,354
₹9,419 total
15 Jan - 16 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Atlantic Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,519 reviews)
everything 10/10! Love this place!

Reviewed on 12 Jan 2026

Crystal Coast Oceanfront Hotel
Bask Hotel at Big Rock Landing

Bask Hotel at Big Rock Landing

3.5 out of 5
814 Shepard Street Morehead City NC
The price is ₹8,354 per night from 16 Jan to 17 Jan
₹8,354
₹9,419 total
16 Jan - 17 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Morehead City. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
The room was nice, bed was comfortable, loved the breakfast delivered to my door every morning.

Reviewed on 13 Jan 2026

Bask Hotel at Big Rock Landing
DoubleTree by Hilton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront

DoubleTree by Hilton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront

4 out of 5
2717 W Fort Macon Rd Atlantic Beach NC
The price is ₹8,059 per night from 22 Jan to 23 Jan
₹8,059
₹9,086 total
22 Jan - 23 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Atlantic Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
After reading reviews I was nervous to stay here but we had a great stay. Although the hotel isn’t updated, the pools and the whirlpool inside the room were very clean. The staff were all very nice and helpful. The view is beautiful and the access to the beach and pier are top tier.

Reviewed on 29 Dec 2025

DoubleTree by Hilton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
A Place at the Beach

A Place at the Beach

2.5 out of 5
1904 E Fort Macon Rd Atlantic Beach NC
Stay at this family-friendly apartment in Atlantic Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Triple S Marina and Les and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (279 reviews)
The staff was amazing! The outdoor waterslide pool was closed for the winter. Overall we had a great experience and are lookin forward to returning to another unit at A Place at the beach,

Reviewed on 7 Jan 2026

A Place at the Beach
Atlantic Beach Resort, a Ramada by Wyndham

Atlantic Beach Resort, a Ramada by Wyndham

3 out of 5
715 W. Fort Macon Rd. Atlantic Beach NC
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Atlantic Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,270 reviews)
This is our 2nd. Time here wonderful just steps from the beach ⛱️ rooms were very clean 👍 and as for the kitchen has everything you need to cook. Just bring the food 😊 can't wait to make plans for next year. I give it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Reviewed on 31 Dec 2025

Atlantic Beach Resort, a Ramada by Wyndham
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Cities near Shackleford Banks

Atlantic Beach

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