The Outer Banks at their best! No hotels, flip flop shops, surf shops, bars or crowds.
Shackleford Banks is part of the National Park Service and can be reached by Island Express Ferry Service from downtown Beaufort or the visitors center on Harkers Island. The trip takes less than 30 minutes on a well-maintained, up-to-date boat that's open on all sides, has a roof and bench-style seating along the sides.
If you want to see the horses and walk along the beautiful beaches, you will need about three hours on the Banks. If you're lucky, you may find a stallion with his herd of brood mares. Otherwise, the horses are scattered across the Banks in pairs or solo. The Banks are covered with gullies and small valleys separated by sand dunes. The horses graze on the grass that grows at the bottom of the gullies and valleys. The best way to find them is to walk along the crest of the sand dunes so you can get a better view of the surrounding terrain. Once you spot a horse, it's best to walk quietly in their direction, making sure they get a chance to see you. They're used to seeing humans, but it's best to stay about 15-20 yards away from them. You can still get good pictures from that distance, and you won't bother the horse. Remember, the Banks is their home, and you're a visitor in their house.
If you just want to spend the day on the beach, flip flops and sandals are okay. If you want to search for the horses, you'll need a good pair of shoes as the terrain is full of low to high sand dunes.
No matter how you spend your time on the Banks, it's a great place to experience.