MOREHEAD CITY BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Double Trouble on the Crystal Coast: Wild Horses and a 163‑Foot Beacon
A 5.5‑hour H2O Captain excursion from Morehead City to Shackleford Banks and Cape Lookout Lighthouse that pairs shoreline wildlife with a landmark steeped in maritime history.
Double Trouble on the Crystal Coast: Wild Horses and a 163‑Foot Beacon.
Over the course of a 5.5‑hour excursion from Morehead City, this boat tour threads the Outer Banks and Cape Lookout National Seashore: searching for the wild horses of Shackleford Banks, visiting the Cape Lookout Lighthouse and its lightkeepers’ quarters-turned‑museum and gift shop, and passing the coastal towns of Beaufort and Morehead City and the Rachel Carson Reserve.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Shackleford Banks' Wild Horses
A primary goal of the excursion is to find the wild horses of Shackleford Banks as they move among the dunes, with the Cape Lookout Lighthouse often forming the visual backdrop to sightings.
Cape Lookout Lighthouse
The tour visits the iconic Cape Lookout Lighthouse, a 163‑foot‑high beacon that flashes every 15 seconds, is visible at least 12 miles out to sea, operates even during daylight, and was fully automated in 1950.
Boardwalks, Museum Rooms and Coastal Towns
Visitors walk the boardwalk to touch the lighthouse, explore the lightkeepers’ quarters now a small museum, visit the National Park Service gift shop nearby, and on return pass through Beaufort, Morehead City and the Rachel Carson Reserve; flush toilets are available at the lighthouse area.
What the day feels like
How the Day Unfolds
This 5.5‑hour private excursion moves between open ocean and protected waters with the single aim of pairing natural history and coastal culture: a search for Shackleford Banks’ horses, time on the Cape Lookout boardwalk and in the lightkeepers’ quarters museum, and a scenic return that threads Beaufort, Morehead City and the Rachel Carson Reserve.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this outing and who should adjust expectations.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The excursion runs for 5.5 hours.
Flush toilets are available at the lighthouse stop; the lightkeepers’ quarters houses a small museum and the National Park Service gift shop is a short walk away.
Depending on conditions the operator may transit either the North Atlantic Ocean or the protected waters of Back Sound en route to the islands.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the excursion?
The excursion is 5.5 hours in duration.
Will I see wild horses?
The operator’s goal is to find the wild horses of Shackleford Banks among the dunes, and the itinerary is built around that search.
Can I climb the Cape Lookout Lighthouse?
No; the lighthouse is closed for climbing in 2025.
What are the notable facts about the Cape Lookout Lighthouse?
The lighthouse is 163 feet high, flashes every 15 seconds, is visible at least 12 miles out to sea, operates during the day, and was fully automated in 1950.
Are there restroom facilities on the stop at the lighthouse?
Yes; flush toilets are available at the lighthouse area.
What towns does the return route pass through?
On the return the tour goes through the town of Beaufort, Morehead City, and the Rachel Carson Reserve.