Shackleford Banks, NC

Travel Guide

Wild Horses of Shackleford Banks
Wild Horses of Shackleford Banks
The Wild Horses of Shackleford Banks
The Wild Horses of Shackleford Banks
"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
$93 nightly
The price is $104 total per night from Feb 14 to Feb 15
$104 total
Feb 14 - Feb 15
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Atlantic Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,532 reviews)
Other than one of the front entrance doors and one of the elevators being broken it was a good stay. The staff on the restaurant and bar are amazing. We had lots of laughs with them

Reviewed on Jan 25, 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
$93 nightly
The price is $104 total per night from Feb 9 to Feb 10
$104 total
Feb 9 - Feb 10
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Morehead City. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
Decor, helpful staff and great location

Reviewed on Feb 3, 2026

Bask Hotel at Big Rock Landing
Hotel Alice At Atlantic Beach

Hotel Alice At Atlantic Beach

3 out of 5
118 Salter Path Road Pine Knoll Shores NC
$84 nightly
The price is $94 total per night from Feb 9 to Feb 10
$94 total
Feb 9 - Feb 10
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this golf hotel in Atlantic Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,315 reviews)
wonderful staff, great location, clean and big rooms

Reviewed on Feb 5, 2026

Hotel Alice At Atlantic Beach
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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
Book a stay at this family-friendly apartment in Atlantic Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Triple S Marina and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (287 reviews)
Nice area and amenities, all with beachfront access.

Reviewed on Jan 24, 2026

A Place at the Beach
Spectacular Direct Oceanfront 2BR Condo in Emerald Isle NC Ocean Reef 7B1

Spectacular Direct Oceanfront 2BR Condo in Emerald Isle NC Ocean Reef 7B1

Emerald Isle NC
Book a stay at this beach condo in Emerald Isle. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Flatwaters Paddling and 3rd Street Park ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (207 reviews)
The condo was absolutely beautiful with a wonderful and clear view of the beach and ocean. Even saw a whale breech the waves one day- A first for me down here! The newly changed oceanfront windows were perfect when it was too cold, windy, or rainy to sit on the porch. And when I could, I wrapped ...

Reviewed on Jan 19, 2026

Spectacular Direct Oceanfront 2BR Condo in Emerald Isle NC Ocean Reef 7B1
OCEAN FRONT WITH THE BEST OCEAN VIEWS. HEATED POOL & HOT TUB ALL YEAR

OCEAN FRONT WITH THE BEST OCEAN VIEWS. HEATED POOL & HOT TUB ALL YEAR

Atlantic Beach NC
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Atlantic Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Circle Regional Beach Access ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (130 reviews)
Lovely beach front property! We stayed here for a long weekend and had the best time. The home is the perfect beach cottage with tons of space to spread out and enjoy vacation. Our family enjoyed to hot tub, pool and fun game room. Winter sunsets are amazing-we spotted dolphins sitting on the back ...

Reviewed on Jan 10, 2026

OCEAN FRONT WITH THE BEST OCEAN VIEWS. HEATED POOL & HOT TUB ALL YEAR
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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

JB3E24 Cape Lookout National Seashore

Atlantic Beach

Shackleford Banks Horses Grazing

Harkers Island

JJ5H41 View from Cape Lookout Lighthouse above white sand beach of Crystal Coast shoreline in North Carolina's southern outer banks, beautiful blue water.

Cape Lookout

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