The Wild Horses and Shelling on Shackleford Banks
Shackleford Banks is an uninhabited barrier island on the coast of Carteret County, known as the Crystal Coast and the Southern Outer Banks in North Carolina. It contains a herd of wild horses over 100 strong freely roaming this 8+ mile island. Shackleford Banks once had permanent residents. The now-abandoned settlement of Diamond City was located on the Banks, but the last occupants had relocated by 1904.
The National Park Service closely monitors and studies these "Banker horses". They provide a glimpse into how horses lived in the wild before their domestication. Legend has it that these horses are descendants of Spanish Mustangs that survived several shipwrecks from the late 1500s!
Shelling – the Shackleford Banks are perhaps best known as an exceptional shelling destination, as the undeveloped and pristine beaches are completely unhabituated, with lots of shoreline to go around. In addition, the island is relatively close to the Gulf Stream and Labrador Currents and is often in the path of passing tropical systems, nor’easters, and other storms that pass through this coastline. As a result, a wide variety of seashells can be found along the beaches, including whelks, Scotch bonnets, olives, augers, sand dollars, colorful scallops, and moon snails. Beachcombers enjoy this stretch of island as well in the protected waters of the sound as its slow, and all-sand gradient beach lends itself perfectly to swimmers of all ages. A summer or seasonal storm can also produce some great finds after the storm has departed the area, and the water has calmed.
The flora represented on this island includes maritime forests, cordgrass dunes, various plants, and a lot of sand.
Birdwatching – Shackleford Banks is the perfect destination to catch a variety of shorebirds, water birds, and even migrating birds in the spring and fall months, thanks to a collection of different habitats, and a completely undeveloped landscape. Look for pelicans, plovers, skimmers, terns, ospreys, and sandpipers close to the ocean, as well as egrets, ibises, and other wading birds in the salty marsh areas found close to the soundside.
Tips and tricks for visiting Shackleford Banks
Bring along all your gear – including water, snacks, and bags for your trash.
For the best shelling conditions, aim for a fall trip. The Shackleford Banks are renowned for great shelling and fishing year-round, but the fall season brings in an array of seashells that pile up after a big tropical system or hurricane. In addition, the beaches are much less crowded after Labor Day.
Shackleford Banks are part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, and as such, all National Park Service rules apply. The Shackleford Banks are a must-see destination for any visitor who wants an introspective look at a deserted barrier island landscape. Teeming with exceptional shelling, and an abundance of wildlife, a Shackleford Banks exploration is easily within reach for visitors in Beaufort, Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle, and Morehead City.
If you want to make sure you visit Shackleford during an upcoming Crystal Coast vacation, reserve a ferry ticket or private boat excursion company well in advance online, ensuring that you have a spot reserved to visit the coastline as this is the most popular destination in the area!
Ferry Island Express Ferry Service
Boat H2O Captain Eco-Tour Private Boat Excursions
Photos: Courtesy of H2O Captain