cape lookout national seashore

If you like venturing to new found places where beaches and nature are untouched then Cape Lookout is worth a day or 2, l trip. To get there, one must take a tour boat, glass bottom, ferry, or as we did --4 boats from Virginia traveled 7 days, of course stopping overnight at different marinas , down the ICW, seeking a few days of camping out on our boats, running our generators and just exploring the beach, watching the wild ponies and the enormous sea turtles, where the only transportation around the 26 mile island is by a tractor drawn hay wagon or bike if you get one over there. The only electricity is in the Lighthouse and the story that goes with it's manned operation and how they are chosen is fascinating. There are tour guides if you book one before you leave the main land, but, riding or walking, you will experience the most beautiful and relaxing adventure and swimming on the bay side was awesome, because you can see your feet, and the fish swimming by, no matter how deep. Be sure and pack a picnic lunch and just enjoy the most beautiful scenery a beach has to offer. A heaven for boaters seeking to Camp out .

I have grown up here in Carteret county and when I need some relaxing and TLC we head to the Cape. Quiet peaceful serene . Plus while you are there in the summer there are rangers and locals there who love to tell you the history. Enjoy the fishing snorkeling camping there its the most wonderful place I have ever experienced.

Drive to the end of Harkers Island, the island being a worthwhile destination in its own right. Take a Park Service ferry from the visitor center, over to Cape Lookout National Seashore, and enjoy a pristine beach that stretches for 26 miles, all the way to Drum Inlet. After walking across the dunes on the wooden boardwalk to the beach, head up the beach, separating yourself from the "crowd" at the end of the boardwalk. After about a hundred yards, you will be all alone, dunes on the left, Atlantic Ocean on the right. The soft sand beach is wide and sparkling clean. Dogs are allowed on the beach but must be leashed. This is to protect the nesting birds and loggerhead turtles. The Park Service rangers are serious about the leash law and will issue ticket to violators. This is one of the prettiest beaches on the east coast.

Beautiful.....Serene.....Lighthouse was awesome....Staff very knowledgable.....friendly....private beaches....no large crowds when we went over to the Cape....Highly recommend making the trip...

Most places on the Outer Banks of North Carolina can be accessed by car, but Cape Lookout is different. It is composed of two barrier islands that are only accessible by boat, and thus give you a lot more of the peace and solitude that some are looking for. There are private ferries that you can purchase a ticket on for a reasonable price, and be ferried to several locations in the Park. There are 150 wild horses in several family groups on Shackleford Banks, that are quite used to seeing people, so if you see them, you will be able to observe them and get a lot of good pictures....but don't approach them....they are wild and will kick and bite. During the spring and fall, many migratory birds cross the Outer Banks, and there are always shorebirds to be seen. You may even be lucky enough to see nesting turtle tracks along the beaches, or whales, dolphins, or sharks just offshore. The lighthouse on Core Banks is climbable at certain times, and the view from "up top" is astounding. If you like to collect seashells, this is the place for you. Shackleford Banks is an east/west island where shells from the Gulf Stream are rolled ashore. For fishermen, surf fishing is very popular and productive.

The website states there is a Mule Train which is a vehicle to take people from the lighthouse where the ferry drops you off down to the point 3 miles away. We asked to purchase tickets along with 2 other people. The employee made a call and we were told they couldn't get a driver in for less than 6 people. Today (Oct 13, 2014) is a holiday and there were several visitors taking the ferries over and back. Those of us with some disabilities were unable to make the 3 mile hike to the point and therefore did not see any shells except a few broken ones. It was a long walk from the lighthouse to the ocean side of the island. However, there's a wooden walkway covering most of it. The NC Ferry service does not take passengers to the point on Cape Lookout and the other ferry services are mainly now out of business. It was a nice, short ride on the ferry with captains who were capable and pleasant.

We wanted to see the lighthouse and found out we could take a ferry from either Beaufort or Harker's Island. Since we were interested in seeing the National Park Service Visitor Center, we decided to take the ferry from there on Harker's Island. We went off season, in October, in beautiful weather. This is a ferry ride, not really a tour. It is the only ferry authorized by NPS to stop at the island. The lighthouse itself was closed for climbing, but the museum was open, as well as the small gift shop. There are bathrooms, no food service. There is a walkway to the ocean that leads to a beautiful beach, almost deserted and with lots of shells. We stayed for almost 2 hours--you tell them at the ticket booth when you would like to come back. On the way back we saw the wild ponies on Shackleford Banks. Make sure you take bug spray, a bag for shells, any food or water you need. There is also a truck tour of the island (Mule Train), that costs extra, but we decided not to do that.

Dang good beaches away from the hotels. Unbelievable! Miles of nothing but sand and surf. Bit of a drive but worth it. Fun to visit the lighthouses.

This can be a harsh destination due to exposure to the elements - they'll tell you that at the visitor's center where you catch the ferry to go over, altho' there is a sheltered picnic table and an air conditioned gift shop to duck into; but it is wonderful - the lighthouse and a beautiful ocean beach with an unusual and amazing feature - very good "real" restroom near the shore so you don't have to walk a mile to find one. Be sure to take bug spray with you and they advise that you wear a hat - also take your food and water as you can't buy anything on the island. It's pack in, pack out - no trash cans on island. The ferry boat driver took us by Shackleford Banks to see the wild horses on the way to Cape Lookout and on the way back. He was nice and the folks at the visitor center are nice. It's a nice visitor's center. We plan to return.

We did this on a motorcycle and the it was amazing. Fresh air, very few cars and pristine shoreline. You can't take your eyes of the ocean.

Just got back from Great Island Cabins yesterday. We took the wrong ferry and ended up at the wrong cabins but that was our fault. When we got to the Cabin Office and realized what had happened. Tom, Amy and Allison jumped into action to find out what we wanted to do. Tom called the Davis, NC Ferry Captain and told them what had happened. the Ferry Captain waited so Tom, the Cabin Officer could call the Long Point Cabins Ferry in Atlantic to see if there was another spot to go over on for that afternoon. When we found out it we did not have enough time Amy and Allison found us a generator at Davis, NC Ferry ( you can rent a generator for $25 a day ) and we then decided to stay on the Island even though Long Point Cabins are the ones with the Air Conditioners. We learned if we had not ended up at Great Island Cabins we would have been on the wrong Island to get to Cape Lookout Point, which was where we especially wanted to go. So if you want to go to Long Point Cabins you take The Portsmouth Island Ferry from Atlantic NC. If you want to go to Cape Lookout Light House and Cape Lookout Point you take Davis, NC Ferry in Davis Shore ( it will take you about 45 min to get to the Point in your 4WD truck ). Oh and if you want air conditioning at Great Island Cabins you can bring a small window unit to hook up (along with your generator ). What a great place and what great people to help you out. They couldn't have been more helpful or kinder to make our mistake the BEST GREAT ESCAPE EVER!!!! Thanks again Tom, Amy and Allison. Will saw us off the next day and he is a great guy also.

Beautiful isolated beach. Very nice. I was there in September and had the beach to my self. Nice place to spend the afternoon beach coming and shell hunting.

I am a travel writer and photographer for National Park Planner (npplan.com) and I visited Cape Lookout National Seashore in early September 2014. The park is comprised of three barrier islands on the northern coast of North Carolina: Shackleford Banks, South Core Banks, and North Core Banks. The park is just south of another National Park, Cape Hatteras National Seashore. In addition to these islands, a small section on the eastern end of Harkers Island is part of the park. Only this section, which is where the main Visitor Center is, can be reached by car. To get to the other islands you will need either a private boat or ferry.Being more difficult to reach, Cape Lookout receives only a fraction of the visitors that Cape Hatteras gets, so those wanting to take the extra effort to get there will find less crowds and more seclusion. Unlike Hatteras, where modern life is just a short drive away, once you are on the islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore, you are on your own. Only minor conveniences such as ice and water are available, and then only seasonally. You must bring everything you need with you, including food.For those with a 4-Wheel Drive vehicle, you can take a vehicle ferry to the North and South Core Banks and are thus able to carry all supplies needed for an extended stay at the island. Camping on the beach is free. For those without a 4WD, cabins are available for rent. You can bring your supplies by ferry and the National Park Service will transport you to your cabin.No vehicles are allowed on Shackleford Banks, but two passenger ferries bring visitors to either end of the island. On the west side you will find beaches, while on the east side vegetation supports a herd of over 100 wild horses. You can camp on Shackleford, but you will have to backpack and carry all supplies with you. The island can also be reached by private boat or by kayak or canoe.Cape Lookout National Seashore offers excellent fishing opportunities in the fall and spring and is a popular fishing destination. Waterfowl hunting is also allowed. For history buffs, the park is home to the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, the Cape Lookout Village Historic District, and the Portsmouth Village Historic District. Each of the villages are now “ghost towns,” though Portsmouth has had many of its buildings restored. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to reach from within the park. The best way to get to Portsmouth is from Cape Hatteras National Seashore where you can take a ferry from Ocracoke Island to the village. The park also has over 50 miles of beaches and has excellent shelling opportunities for those who collect seashells.For complete information on all there is to see and do at the park, plus over 170 quality photo, visit National Park Planner

Nice little museum area and gift shop. Covered picnic facilities availalbe in case you want to eat your lunch there, but no where to purchase food, so be sure to take your own.

Warm water, clean beach, remote, peaceful and picturesque. Do not miss the chance to visit this gorgeous island. National Park Service is friendly and helpful to visitors. Salute these guys for their service.My only regret is that I could not stay longer and explored the island more. I pray that I will be able to visit again.