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SHACKLEFORD BANKS

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Visitors who want to explore a natural portion of the Cape Lookout National
Seashore with little effort will want to check out the Shackleford Banks.
Located just south of Beaufort and Harkers Island, this picturesque and
undeveloped barrier island shoreline is a popular destination for visitors who
would like to relax, take in the salt air, and enjoy the beach scene.







About the Shackleford Banks

The Shackleford Banks is part of three components of the 56-mile long Cape
Lookout National Seashore, and is the southeastern most region of the National
Park Service managed site. The primary island is approximately 8.5 miles long
and is roughly a mile wide at its widest point, (depending on the tide.) The
Shackleford Banks is bordered to the north by the Back Sound, and to the south
by the Atlantic Ocean, which means that it’s stocked with miles of shoreline to
go around.

In addition, its western edge is bordered by Beaufort Inlet, while its eastern
end is bordered by the much narrower Barden Inlet, which makes is a popular
destination for fishermen.

Located just a few miles away at most from both Harkers Island and Beaufort,
with a number of ferry services that depart from the heart of Downtown Beaufort,
the Shackleford Banks is arguably the easiest barrier island to reach out of the
three portions of the Cape Lookout National Seashore.







History of the Shackleford Banks

The Shackleford Banks was first acquired by a Virginia planter named John
Shackleford in 1713 who was granted several large tracts of coastal NC land,
which included the skinny barrier island.

After this initial acquisition, the island became known as “Cart Island,” which
was probably a nod to Carteret County where the land resides, and the area
remained in the Shackleford family until it was sold in 1805. By the late 1800s,
the island was home to a small community of permanent residents – a settlement
known as “Diamond City” – which, at its largest point, had roughly 500 full-time
locals. This island town, however, would not last for long, as an 1899 hurricane
persuaded virtually all of the residents to abandon the town, with the last
island dwellers leaving by 1902.

Another hurricane, the 1933 Outer Banks Hurricane, opened up an inlet on the
eastern edge of the Shackleford Banks, separating it once and for all from the
Core Banks and the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. The island was eventually acquired
by the National Park Service in the 1960s as part of the newly formed Cape
Lookout National Seashore and has been a popular vacation destination – albeit
an isolated one – ever since.







How to Get to the Shackleford Banks

Although the Shackleford Banks is only accessible by boat, reaching the
Shackleford Banks is a fairly easy venture thanks to Island Express Ferry
Service. 

NPS Ferries

Island Express Ferry Service is the only taxi service that is commisioned by the
National Park Service to provide transportation to and from Shackleford Banks.
Island Express Ferry Service has two locations to serve the public.  iThe first
location is on Front Street in Downtown Beaufort along the beautiful waterfront
docks. The second location is at the Harkers Island Visitors Center on Harkers
Island. 

Island Express Ferry Service provides trips to and from the Shackleford Banks in
15-30 minute intervals, making it easy to catch a ride to the beach and back.
The trip take 20 minutes at the very most, and is a scenic ride across the Back
Sound to reach your destination. Rates vary, but are generally in the $15 per
person range, (with reduced rates for kids), for round-trip transport.

Cruises and Tour Boats

In addition to the water taxis and ferries that provide access to and from the
Shackleford Banks, there are also a number of cruises and tours which explore
the region in-depth. Popular expeditions include horse tours and shelling
cruises, which take visitors to the best vantage points to shell hunt or catch a
glimpse of the famed banker ponies, both on and off the beach. Cruise departure
times, availability, and costs can all vary, but visitors can expect to spend
roughly 2 hours exploring the area and the outlying waters in search of wild
horses, great shells, and / or an abundance of other wildlife.

Privately Owned Vessels

In the summertime, the waters that border the Shackleford Banks are teeming with
privately owned skiffs and small vessels that anchor just offshore, and mariners
can easily hop off the boat to enjoy a day of sunning on the sand. The Back
Sound waters are shallow and calm, and are ideal for anchoring for an afternoon.
Several boat launches are available throughout the Crystal Coast, (including a
convenient one located in the heart of Beaufort along Lennoxville Rd which has
31 parking spaces), and reaching the island from the center of Beaufort is a 20
minute cruise at the very most.

Kayaks

While it’s a bit of a trek to reach the Shackleford Banks, (expect a 2 mile
paddle or a little less), experienced paddlers can make the journey from the
heart of Beaufort to the outlying barrier island shoreline. Steer clear of the
inlets whenever possible to avoid big tidal currents, and watch for maritime
traffic of all sizes that can be found within the Back Sound, which is a portion
of







the Intracoastal Waterway.

 

Things to do on the Shackleford Banks

Once you’ve arrived on the Shackleford Banks, there are a wealth of sunny beach
activities in store.

Shelling – the Shackleford Banks are perhaps best known as an exceptional
shelling destination, as the undeveloped and pristine beaches are completely
unhabituated, with lots of shoreline to go around. In addition, the island is
relatively close to the Gulf Stream and Labrador Currents, and is often in the
path of passing tropical systems, nor’easters, and other storms that skate past
the coastline.

As a result, a wide variety of seashells can be found along the beaches,
including whelks, Scotch bonnets, olive shells, augers, sand dollars, colorful
scallops, and moon snails. Beachcombers will have the best luck close to the
inlets, after a high or a low tide. A summer or seasonal storm can also produce
some great finds after the storm has departed the area, and the waters have
calmed.

Fishing – Like shelling, fishing is a very popular pastime on the Shackleford
Banks due to the island’s isolation as well as its sound and ocean bordering
beaches. Depending on the specific time of year, surf fishermen can expect to
target Spanish and king mackerels, croaker, cobia, pompano, spot, trout, sea
mullet, and even the occasional shark. Red drum and puppy drum also make
seasonal appearances, especially in the spring and fall months when they are
making their migratory cruise along the shoreline.

Surfing, kayaking, and other watersports – Because the Shackleford Banks borders
both the Atlantic Ocean and the Back Sound, visitors can enjoy a wealth of
watersports throughout the coastline. The oceanside waves are generally gentle
enough for beginner surfers, and are enticing throughout the summer months for
swimmers, body boarders, and even skim-boarders. Meanwhile, the sound waters are
perfect for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and additional watersports that
are at their best when there are miles of clear and calm waters in all
directions. Regardless of what sport you want to try, the sheer miles of
saltwater will provide a perfect playground for discovering something new. Just
use caution – there are no lifeguarded beaches on the isolated Shackleford
Banks.

Banker Pony and Wildlife Watching – The Shackleford Banks are famed as an island
home to the Cape Lookout National Seashore’s “Banker Ponies” – feral horses
whose ancestors are believed to be shipwrecked Spanish Mustangs from the late
1500s. In addition to the feral horses which freely roam the beaches, shrub
thickets, and maritime forests, the Shackleford Banks is also home to an
assortment of fascinating critters – including ghost crabs, gray foxes, otters,
blue crabs, and more – that will allure wildlife lovers of all ages.

Birdwatching – The Shackleford Banks is the perfect destination to catch a
variety of shorebirds, water birds, and even migrating birds in the spring and
fall months, thanks to a collection of different habitats, and a completely
undeveloped landscape. Look for pelicans, plovers, skimmers, terns, and
sandpipers close to the ocean, as well as egrets, ibises, and other wading birds
in the salty marsh areas found close to the soundside.

Tips and tricks for visiting the Shackleford Banks

 * Bring along all your gear – including water, snacks, and bags for trash.
   There are no public restrooms or any facilities along the Shackleford Banks,
   so come prepared to enjoy a desolate island shoreline at its truest
   definition.
 * If you want to make sure you visit the Shackleford Banks during an upcoming
   Crystal Coast vacation, reserve a ticket well in advance. Many ferry or water
   taxis that depart from Beaufort – like Island Ferry Service – allow
   passengers to book well ahead of time online, ensuring that you have a spot
   secured to visit the coastline.
 * For the best fishing and shelling conditions, aim for a fall trip. The
   Shackleford Banks are renowned for great shelling and fishing year-round, but
   the fall season brings in annual migratory runs of drum and other species, as
   well as a mess of shells that pile up after a big tropical system or
   hurricane. In addition, the beaches are generally less crowded, which means
   there’s more room to explore.
 * Feel free to admire the Banker Ponies, but keep your distance. Visitors
   should maintain a safe distance away from the feral Banker Ponies at all
   times, (50’ ft. or more), as these mammals are inherently feral and are not
   used to human interaction.
 * The Shackleford Banks are part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, and as
   such, all National Park Service rules apply. In short, visitors shouldn’t
   litter, should keep pets on a leash at all times, and respect the local
   wildlife. Beach driving is not allowed on the Shackleford Banks, but it is
   permitted on the other portions of the National Seashore – the North Core
   Banks and the South Core Banks.

The Shackleford Banks are a must-see destination for any visitor who wants an
introspective look at a deserted barrier island landscape. Teeming with
exceptional shelling, fishing, and an abundance of wildlife, a Shackleford Banks
exploration is easily within reach for visitors in Beaufort, and throughout the
Crystal Coast.



























































































 








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OUTER BANKS MAP


OCRACOKE WILD HORSES

Seasoned visitors to Ocracoke Island love to soak in its rich heritage and
culture which dates back to the 1500s, and features some legendary and
longstanding residents. Some of the most popular Ocracoke locals are the Wild
Ponies...

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