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| Horse & Waterfront Cruise | Videos | Helpful Information | Directions | Links | |
| Trip Routes | Surf & Turf Cruise | Pictures | Reservations | Parking | Contact Us |
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CPR & First Aid Trained Personnel.
All the necessary safety equipment.
Knowledgeable
and personable crew
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National
Park Service Permitted. Coast Guard Certified Captains. U.S. Coast Guard Inspected for 20 - 16 - 14 Passengers.
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We provide: The nicest & cleanest ferry boats.
Bags for shells.
Fresh water rinse hose.
Safe and comfortable rides.
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| PASSENGER FERRY SERVICE | SCENIC
TOURS |
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Shackleford Banks - Carrot Island
Sand Dollar Island - Bird Shoal |
Horse & Waterfront Cruise Surf & Turf Cruise |
Across
from The Inlet Inn
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(252) 728-7555 |
HISTORIC BEAUFORT, NORTH CAROLINA
SHELLING - WILD MUSTANGS
SWIMMING - HIKING - SURF FISHING
BIRD WATCHING - PICNICKING
PHOTOGRAPHY - SURFING
While in Carteret County, come discover some of the hidden treasures of our Crystal Coast. Relax and enjoy our warm sandy beaches, pristine waters, gentle Atlantic breezes, maritime forests, descendants of shipwrecked horses and unparalleled shelling. Come visit one of the few remaining undeveloped coastal barrier island systems in the world. Observe the natural beauty, wind shaped sands and maritime influences on these uninhabited islands. There are no lines and no traffic jams, so enjoy your ride with us and leave the crowded beaches to others.
We begin at 9:00 a.m., weather permitting, seven days a week (in season). Departures are on the top of the hour. You are transported to and unloaded at your choice of one of our unique, uninhabited island locations. Stay a minimum of 1 hour or as many complete hours as you wish. Overnight camping is allowed at Shackleford Banks with an additional ferry fee. Bring necessities including water, snacks and sun block. Chairs, umbrellas and coolers are allowed. Don't forget your swimsuit and towel for swimming. Most small lap dogs are welcome on our ferry boats. Sorry, no large dogs allowed.
Departures are on the top of the hour beginning at 9:00 a.m.
7 days a week, weather permitting.
RESERVATIONS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED JUNE, JULY & AUGUST!
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Our
ferry service operates appx. mid-March to mid-October. Be safe and call for early and late season availability. |
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Cape Lookout National
Seashore - 15 minute ride
RATED
#1 DESTINATION BY BARRIER ISLAND VISITORS!
THE
#1 SHELLING LOCATION ON THE CRYSTAL COAST! |
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wide variety of shells
• 120+ descendants of historic, shipwrecked Spanish mustangs
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Ocean and sound beaches • Cape
Lookout lighthouse visible from a distance
• Swimming • Hiking
• Sunning
ADULT $15. CHILD $8.
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SAND DOLLAR ISLAND |
Sandbar - 15 minute ride
This size of this sandbar has been greatly reduced the last few years due to storms & tides.
You will probably be dropped off in ankle/knee deep water rather than on the beach.
It is now only accessible 1 hour before low tide until 1 hour after low tide.
A small sandbar approximately the size of a football field
There are no trees, dunes or trails
Known for its many sand dollars close to low tide.
Please help us preserve this natural resource by taking ONLY the DEAD white sand dollars.
Swimming - Some small shells
ADULT $15. CHILD $8.
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CARROT ISLAND |
Rachel Carson Reserve - 5 minute ride
Directly across from the Beaufort waterfront
1/2 mile nature trail
Wildlife and bird habitat
40+ horses
Few shells
For the nature lover and NOT the shell or beach enthusiast!
ADULT $10. CHILD $5.
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BIRD SHOAL |
Back side of Carrot Island - 10 minute ride
1 mile of un-crowded beach
40+ horses.
Some small shells
Some sand dollars
Swimming
ADULT $13. CHILD $7.
| Prices are Round Trip | Adult | Child (Under 12) |
| Shackleford Banks (West End) | $15 | $8 |
| Sand Dollar Island | $15 | $8 |
| Bird Shoal | $13 | $7 |
| Carrot Island | $10 | $5 |
| Group Rates - Passenger Minimums Required - MC/VISA | ||
Shaded seats are available as you REMAIN on the
boat during this 1-1/4 hour narrated trip. This scenic cruise rides you along the entire 3-mile
shoreline
of the Beaufort waterfront, while also showing you Blackbeard's residence,
DEPARTURES: 10:00AM - 1:15PM
ADULTS $18. CHILD $10.
CALL FOR POSSIBLE EARLY/LATE SEASON LARGE GROUP AVAILABILITY.
This 1-1/2 hour cruise gives you one hour on the water and half an hour on the land. It combines the best of both our narrated cruise and our passenger ferry service into one trip. You see, hear and enjoy all the benefits and information of our Horse & Waterfront Cruise plus you will be DROPPED OFF at Shackleford Banks for approximately 30 minutes to learn history of the island, collect sea shells and get possible closer photos of the historic wild mustangs. You may also remain on the boat to sun or sit in the shade and enjoy the cool Atlantic breezes and waterfront sights. This trip is for those that want to disembark on an island but not have to stay several hours. After returning to the boat we will continue our narrated tour back into historic Beaufort. Sightings of dolphin, sea turtles, and other land and marine life may occur during this adventure. (Route may vary during inclement weather/water conditions.)
DEPARTURES: 11:30AM - 2:45PM
ADULTS $20. CHILD $12.
CALL FOR POSSIBLE EARLY/LATE SEASON LARGE GROUP AVAILABILITY.
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Horse & Waterfront Cruise and Surf & Turf Cruise operate approximately June, July & August. Call for possible early/late season large-group availability. |
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PRIVATE CHARTERS |
We are available for any type of customized trip to fit your specific needs. Our narrated tours are over daily at 4:30pm which would be the most opportune time to book a private charter. We welcome any type occasion including family, business, birthday, wedding, school, church or memorial. Personal coolers, beverages and food are allowed. Rates vary depending on destination, length and the number of passengers. Trips to the Cape Lookout Lighthouse are also available when scheduling permits. Each trip requires a rate minimum.
Located across from The Inlet Inn.
Corner of Front & Queen Streets
We are located beside the large catamaran, Lookout Cruises.
FROM MOREHEAD CITY: Take Hwy. 70E across two bridges into Beaufort, continue straight and take a right at the fifth street (Queen St.), go straight 3 blocks to the Waterfront (Front St.) and we will be 100 feet on your left. (If you did turn at the stoplight at Turner St. then when you get to the waterfront take a left and we will be 2-1/2 blocks on your right.)
FROM ATLANTIC BEACH: Cross the high-rise bridge into Morehead City and take the first right turn onto Hwy. 70E, then follow our map and the above Morehead City directions.
FROM EMERALD ISLE: Take either Hwy. 24E or Hwy. 58E (beach road) to Hwy. 70E in Morehead City, then follow our map and the above Morehead City directions.
FROM JACKSONVILLE: Take Hwy. 24E thru Swansboro to Hwy. 70E in Morehead City, then follow our map and the above Morehead City directions.
FROM WILMINGTON: Take Hwy. 17N to Jacksonville then follow the above directions from Jacksonville.
FROM NEW BERN: Take Hwy. 70E to Morehead City, then follow our map and the above Morehead City directions.
FROM "DOWNEAST": Go straight thru the stoplight at Live Oak and Cedar Streets (don't turn right on Hwy. 70W towards Morehead City), go straight three blocks to the Waterfront, turn right on Front St., go 2 1/2 blocks and we're on your left.
LOOK FOR OUR TICKET BOOTH AND AMERICAN FLAG ON THE DOCK!
Please note that Front Street in front of our ticket booth has restricted 3 hour parking. Don't let a $20. parking ticket ruin your vacation. The 800 block of Front St.(1-1/2 blocks past us, starting at Marsh St.), is 5 hour parking. The side streets and the two blocks over, Ann St. & Broad St., are all day free parking. Please click on the "STREET PARKING AVAILABLE" bookmark above to see a Beaufort street map and parking restrictions.
Ferry departures are on the top of the hour.
Scheduled pickups from Shackleford Banks are :20 after the hour you select. Our other island pickups times vary.
If you want to be picked up at an earlier hour, check with out boat captain at the pickup location (based on availability). Or you may call our ticket booth to check on availability.
If you miss your scheduled pickup, you ride back on the next AVAILABLE ferry, which could be several hours.
Please ride back on our ferry boats. If you ride back with a different ferry company or a private boat, please let us know. This will avoid an after-hours search by the Coast Guard, National Park Service and Island Ferry Adventures.
Shackleford Banks has an outhouse facility on the soundside which is a 15-20 minute walk from our ferry landing.
Sorry, no large dogs are allowed on our boats. Some small lap dogs are allowed on the ferry but not on our scenic tours.
The National Park Service at both Shackleford Banks and Core Banks South (Cape Lookout Lighthouse) prohibit metal detectors and unleashed dogs. Trash containers are not provided so all your trash should be brought back with you.
Overnight camping is allowed at Shackleford Banks and Core Banks South. There is an extra ferry fee for campers.
During mild rain storms, we pick you up at your scheduled pickup time. In long-lasting rains or quick developing thunderstorms, our policy is to try to pick you up earlier than your scheduled departure and before lightning reaches the area. If we are unable to pick you up before lightning arrives, please get out of the water, stay low and pickups will begin after the storm. You are actually safer on the island during a lightning storm than in our boats on the water.
Wind and waves may sometimes cause slightly rough rides that could produce some sea spray. They may also cause discomfort and if severe enough, even injury. Buffeting from waves can cause new injuries or aggravate existing conditions. Therefore, proceed with caution. Seats closer to the back of the boat offer a more comfortable ride.
Reservations are highly recommended in June, July and August for ALL of our trips.
Reservations for our ferry are taken ONLY for departure times, while pickup times are scheduled when you check in with us and are based on availability. On occasion, your preferred pickup time MAY NOT be available.
A charge card or cash payment IS REQUIRED for advance reservations for ALL seats on our ferry service and narrated scenic tours.
No-shows or cancellations not made at least 12 hours prior to your scheduled departure will be charged full price for you reserved seats remaining un-sold to other customers. If there is a substantial decrease in your number of passengers that show up compared to the number of reserved seats you had, you will be charged for those missing people.
It is necessary for reserved seat holders to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled departure to prevent your seats from being sold to waiting, walk-up customers.
Phone reservations left on our voice mail are not guaranteed until personally speaking with a member of our staff.
(252) 728-7555 Ticket Booth - Information - Reservations
Physical location: 610 Front Street, Beaufort, NC
www.islandferryadventures.com
U.S.C.G. Masters Captain Steve Bishop
Email: islandfa2013@gmail,com
CALL US AT 252-728-7555!
Thank you! Have a great day!
Captain Steve!
