Taking a Day Trip
Whenever you are visiting Emerald Isle on your next vacation, you might consider taking a day trip to one of three nearby islands that are part of the Crystal Coast. These islands are Harkers Island (an inner bank island,) and Shackleford and Core Banks, barrier islands along the southern Outer Banks. Each island has its own charm, attractions and a shared history that is traced back to the 1890's.
Harker’s Island is the closest to Emerald Isle and is accessible by car, which makes it a great place to start your adventure. Harkers Island got its start when hurricanes in the late 1890's drove residents from Diamond City on Core Banks to seek safer ground to resettle. It is also home to the Cape Lookout National Seashore Visitors Center a federal park service facility that provides a good introduction to all three islands and their unique flavor. An interactive map about the park, children’s ecology exhibits, and seasonal ranger adventure programs provide great opportunities to learn about the area around you. More recently, Harker’s Island has become known for its extensive community of decoy carvers that live there. The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum details the tradition of decoy carving and gives a great view of the waterfowl found along the national seashore.
Moving south via water, and only by water, you arrive at Shackleford Banks. Shackleford is thebarrier island just east of Bogue Banks. It remains undeveloped and is accessible only by the ferry systems that run between Beaufort, Morehead City and Harker’s Island to its shores. This barrier island is best known for its more than 110 wild horses that live there, descendants of Spanish horses that swam to shore from shipwrecks in the 16th century. The horses survive on native vegetation and freshwater pools and are protected by federal legislation to ensure their continued presence on the Banks for years to come. Life as an Outer Banks horse is not for the faint of heart.
And finally no trip to the National Seashore would be complete without a visit to Cape Lookout and the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Built in 1859, Core Banks is another island area best experienced by ferry which lands within site of the lighthouse. The park service has guided tours of the facility including the keeper’s quarters, mid-May through late September during certain week days so it’s important to plan ahead for a guided experience.
When your travel plans bring you to Emerald Isle and you want to explore more of the Crystal Coast, a trip to Harker’s Island, Cape Lookout and Shackleford Banks should be in your bucket list. Visit my website, www.EIHomesforSale.com to receive my Gide to Living in Emerald Isle or text your email address to 919-308-2292.
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