The 10 Best Outdoor Activities in Beaufort, North Carolina (NC)

Come see The Crystal Coast from a perspective unlike any other! On an Air Tour with Southern Air, you'll venture out over Shackleford Banks to spot the wild horses, cruise past the location of Blackbeard's ship, and circle around the Cape Lookout lighthouse on one of the most scenic flights in the country. *Under new ownership as of May 2016.

Experience the beautiful Crystal Coast from hundreds of feet in the air, where every seat is a window seat. We offer parasailing trips that have breathtaking views of Cape Lookout, Shackleford Banks, Fort Macon, and so much more. Come fly with us! Call or check out our website to join our Flight List and book your trip today!

Exciting boat rides to Shackleford Banks, Rachel Carson Reserve and Stingray Shoal. Climb the Cape Lookout Lighthouse and visit the Keepers Quarters Museum. Search for wild horses, dolphins, seashells and sand dollars. Visit an oyster farm. Private boat charters are our specialty. An authorized tour operator of the Cape Lookout National Seashore for 10 years.

Visitors can pedal or walk through 300 years of Beaufort's history as we explore "America's Favorite Town." Your guide will entertain you with fascinating details, historical narratives and true stories that make up the rich history of this seaport town. Choose from several unique walking, bike, culinary and history guided tours. Open year-round. A Ride to Remember takes visitors to several locations in Beaufort as described in Nicholas Sparks' bestselling novels "The Choice" and "A Walk to Remember." Explore Beaufort's local restaurants on our guided culinary tours. You'll enjoy Southern culinary dishes from restaurants offering fresh, local products that support our local fishermen and farmers. You'll nosh and sip on some of the most delicious flavors on the Crystal Coast. Tour departures take place daily.

Island Express Ferry Service is the ONLY ferry service out of Beaufort and Harkers Island, NC that is authorized by the National Park Service to drop passengers off at Shackleford Banks and Cape Lookout. Shackleford Banks is the southernmost barrier island in Cape Lookout National Seashore. Shackleford Banks is a pristine island with one of the best shelling beaches in North Carolina. Famous for the wild banker horses that roam the uninhabited island, this is one of the few places in the eastern United States where wild horses can still be seen. Enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Cape Lookout, famous for the Cape Lookout Lighthouse Station. While you are there, take time to collect some of the most beautiful shells in the world. Bird watch, swim in the ocean, climb the lighthouse, or ride our famous Beach Shuttle. There is something for everyone to enjoy on this island paradise. Island Express Ferry Service is an authorized National Park Service Concessionaire. Although our name has, at times, been confused with smaller services that do not go to Shackleford Banks or Cape Lookout, there is only one ISLAND EXPRESS FERRY SERVICE. Be sure to add an S for Services when looking for us online.

Experience the Crystal Coast like you never have before… by soaring thousands of feet above it with a professional instructor from the world’s largest hang gliding school! Kitty Hawk Kites has been teaching the world to fly since 1974 and is proud to be offering tandem hang gliding in Beaufort, NC!

Inshore and offshore fishing charters for every level of angler. From family trips to highly competitive multi-day tournament angling. SPECIES: Spanish mackerel, bluefish, king mackeral, cobia, snapper, grouper, sea bass, mahi, wahoo, sailfish, white and blue marlin, blackfin and yellowfin tuna.

Destination Luxury! Welcome aboard Motor Yacht Everest where you can relax in elegance aboard our private yacht. Enjoy a cocktail cruise along the Beaufort and Morehead City waterfronts, a day at Shackleford Banks, or Cape Lookout. We recommend no less than 3 hours aboard and can stay out as long as you wish with groups up to 12.

The Charted Life (Crystal Coast Marine Consulting, LLC) aims to assist those who wish to live the Mobile Lifestyle. By assisting our clients with sailing and boating lessons including maintenance, vessel upkeep and other services including vessel delivery, charter, cleaning and instruction, we aim to give our clients the tools they need to live aboard their own vessel and travel anywhere in the world. We are based in Beaufort, NC, but we offer a fleet of vessels as well as serve international clients in both our fleet and in our clients own vessels, anywhere in the world 24 hours a day.