Ferry Service & Cruises Departing From Beaufort & Harkers Island, NC

The only authorized concessionaire to drop off at Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Shackleford Banks!

Starting May 4th, the dock at Cape Lookout is open for our ferries to load and unload.

Our summer schedule starts on 05/03. We run every 1/2 hour, starting at 8:15am from Harkers Island and 8:30am from Beaufort.

If you are taking the Ferry from Harker's Island, please factor in extra time and depart earlier due to road construction.

CAPE LOOKOUT LIGHTHOUSE IS CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR CLIMBING

We provide park visitors with great service while facilitating visitor understanding and appreciation for the park.

  • Ride in new, fast, and comfortable ferries alongside all local experienced captains and crew.
  • Experience the beauty of the Crystal Coast with sparkling clear waters and pristine beaches.
  • Treasure hunt for shells–Whelks, Scotch Bonnets, Conchs and many more!
  • See the wild horses of Shackleford Banks or go hiking, fishing, and swimming.
  • Fun for the WHOLE family! Leave the stress of the mainland behind.

Camping at Cape Lookout? Island Express Ferry is your official connection to camping areas on Cape Lookout National Seashore!

Birders - Island Express is your connection to the best bird watching and photography areas on the Crystal Coast.

NPS Enthusiasts - Island Express' Harkers Island location is adjacent to the Cape Lookout Visitors Center. Take a short ride to the Cape Lookout Lighthouse and get your NPS Passport stamp.

Based in the town of Beaufort, and offering departures from both Beaufort and nearby Harkers Island, Island Express Ferry Service serves as the link between the communities of the Crystal Coast and the spectacularly beautiful and isolated barrier islands of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Accommodating passengers who want to explore the miles of pristine beaches, exceptional fishing and shelling, wild horses, and the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, Island Express Ferry Service serves as the gateway for one of the most unforgettable adventures along the North Carolina coast.

Island Express Ferry Service

Island Express Ferry Service

The Cape Lookout National Seashore is only accessible by a boat or privately run ferry, and Island Express Ferry Service has been named one of the best service providers for day trips to this desolate shoreline. Each crossing takes less than an hour, and once on the shore, visitors can take in gorgeous beaches and vistas in every direction. Reservations can be made online before a trip, and passengers will cross in comfortable and spacious covered vessels that are designed to make a smooth trek across the sound. Breathtaking from start to finish, a ride onboard the Island Express Ferry Service opens up a whole new perspective of the gorgeous and isolated Crystal Coast shoreline.  

Island Express Ferry Service

Island Express Ferry Service

Island Express Ferry Service hatchlings race toward the surf

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Activities
Mac Daddys

Mac Daddys

Located on the southern end of Emerald Isle, and easy to reach for visitors staying throughout the Crystal Coast, Mac Daddy’s is the destination of choice for countless fun-seeking vacationers of all ages who want a big dose of entertainment off the sand. Featuring a bowling alley, sports bar, arcade, and a sister miniature golf course – (the Golfin’ Dolphin) - visitors can expect plenty of good times when they make an outing to this all-around fun amusement center.

Lookout Cruises

Lookout Cruises

Visitors can enjoy the Crystal Coast’s most coveted and hard-to-reach shorelines, or just embark on a breezy cruise of the open waters in search of dolphins and sunsets, with a trip that’s guided by Lookout Cruises. This local tour company that calls the central town of Beaufort its home port offers a far-reaching range of adventures that will have coastal fans of all ages soaking up the sun and enjoying the best of the Southern Outer Banks.

Crystal Coast Lady Cruises

Crystal Coast Lady Cruises

Crystal Coast Lady Cruises is a 100 ft. custom yacht that can effortlessly provide a number of family-friendly expeditions to vacationers who want to enjoy this delicate chain of barrier islands and coastal territory to its fullest. Based out of Beaufort, the Crystal Coast Lady is specifically built for the purpose of sightseeing and dolphin watching. Visitors can enjoy exploring the beautiful downtown beaufort are, plus unbeatable perspectives of the region’s vast array of wildlife, shorelines, and on-the-water views. The Crystal Coast Lady is equipped with a restroom onboard.