Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle, Beaufort boat tours wild horses shelling
Best Boat Tours Emerald Isle, Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Morehead City, Swansboro, New Bern, Crystal Coast, NC
"The Gold Standard on The Crystal Coast, and Southern Outer Banks of NC," for travel, adventure tourism, and hospitality for outdoor activities. At the intersection where Safety, Fun, Comfort, and Education meet.
- Offers Trip Protection Insurance
- Offers a Waiting List
- Join our satisfied passengers and experience the adventure that has earned us all 5-Star Reviews on Google! (Scroll to the bottom to view these reviews)
- Accredited Business maintaining an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau
- Listed in TripAdvisor's Best Tours & Activities in Morehead City
- Listed in Yelp's Best Boat Tours near Morehead City, NC
- LUXlife Magazine has awarded H2O Captain the 2025 Travel and Tourism Award for Best Boat Excursions in NC
- Listed in the 2025 Carteret Curated People's Choice Awards for Favorite Outdoor Adventure Activity
- Offers Gift Vouchers
- Tours from only $539 for the boat, including its Captain and fuel!
Exploration: the action of traveling in or through an unfamiliar area to learn about it. H2O Captain Eco-Tour Private Boat Excursions is an authorized tour operator of the National Park Service's Cape Lookout National Seashore to be able to perform boat tours and on-land guide services to view the wild horses and discover great shelling on Shackleford Banks, our MOST POPULAR excursion.
Our Eco-Tour Private Boat Excursions run 2-12 hours depending on which tours you choose. The itinerary is flexible.
• The typical departure time is 11:00 am from the peaceful waters of Coral Bay Marina in Morehead City. From this departure point, you will first ride on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) to your destination(s).
• H2O Captain offers eco-conscious terrestrial and marine life sightseeing along the Crystal Coast. From our wild horses to enjoying pods of dolphins PLUS our magical sunsets.
• H2O Captain is NOT a ferry. Passengers can see and talk with each other as well as with the Captain, and can sit very comfortably for an extended period on our premium cushioned seats. Captain Mark can even set up a dining table for your Sunset Cruise or lunch if you wish to dine on the H2O Captain Ultra Elite boat!
• To get out of the direct sun or Mother Nature's rain, we have a bimini to stand under.
• Any excursion going to discover great shelling will receive, as their keepsake, an official H2O Captain shelling bag!
Regarding safety, Captain Mark is the creator, producer, writer, and voice of the public service announcements, Boating Safety Minute heard throughout the season on FM107.1, presented by the USCG Auxiliary.
The H2O Captain boat has been examined by the USCG and shows their Annual Decal on the boat as proof, along with our National Park Service Decal on our windshield.
The best days of the week for serenity to create a delightful experience are weekdays. 
We believe in the power of bringing water and people together. This is why our excursions create compelling Instagramable memories that deliver life-changing experiences! This is a bucket list item for most visitors! Welcome Aboard, and enjoy your Nautical Adventure Travel!
"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." --Jacques Cousteau
If you do not see our 5-Star Reviews below, please CLICK HERE and scroll to the bottom.
Happy New Year! January 2026 Tours Now Available
Kick off the new year with four unforgettable winter excursions—each offered over only four days in January 2026, the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 11th. Whether you’re seeking wild horses, scenic waterways, shells, sunsets, or simply comfort and views, there’s a private tour waiting for you:
1. BWB…Repeat
Our most popular adventure! Expect to wade in up to your knees—we guarantee you’ll get wet, but the payoff is incredible. Wild horses and seashells are calling!
Learn more: https://h2ocaptain.com/mostpopular
2. 'Round We Go! Private Waterways Excursion
Enjoy a scenic ride through the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), Shackleford Banks, Beaufort, Morehead City, and wild horse territory—all from cushioned seating. No need to step off the boat—just look, point, and say “WOW!”
Learn more: https://h2ocaptain.com/mostpopular
3. Canals of Pine Knoll Shores & Livin’ the Dream
A peaceful winter favorite. Cruise slowly past stunning waterfront homes along Pine Knoll Shores, Spooners Creek, and Pelletier Creek—all from the comfort of the boat.
Learn more: https://h2ocaptain.com/livingthedream
4. Sunset & Dolphin Cruise
Bundle up! After the sun dips, the air turns crisp—but the views are spectacular. Enjoy a breathtaking sunset over Emerald Isle and keep an eye out for dolphins.
Learn more: https://h2ocaptain.com/sunsetcruise
Limited availability. Reserve your eco-tour private boat excursion today at https://h2ocaptain.com.
Looking to go out in 2025, we will be running tours through November 5, 2025. Sign up today! :)
From the Financial Times: "The US tourism slump that never happened." The Big Read Travel & Leisure Industry. Stephanie Stacey in Morehead City, North Carolina, and Mari Novik and Clara Murray in London.
Published Aug 22, 2025 https://on.ft.com/4lBHUBb
Supermoon Sunset Cruise 05Nov. Sign up today for your Private Boat Excursion
Departing at 2:15 on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, we will be going out for a 3+ hour special Super Moon Sunset & Dolphin Cruise. See the sun set in one part of the sky, while the supermoon rises in another. Spectacular!
CLICK HERE to reserve your private boat excursion on SuperMoon/Sunset & Dolphin Cruise.
Information on the Beaver Moon Supermoon.
A "Beaver Moon Supermoon" refers to a full moon, in this case the November full moon (the Beaver Moon), that occurs when the Moon is at its perigee, or closest point to Earth, during its orbit. This coincidence makes the full moon appear slightly larger and brighter in the sky than a typical full moon, an event also known as a supermoon.
Supermoon
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What it is: A full moon that coincides with the Moon's closest approach to Earth, its perigee.
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Why it happens: The Moon's orbit around the Earth is an ellipse, not a perfect circle, so its distance from Earth varies.
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What it looks like: The Moon appears larger and brighter than a standard full moon.
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How often: Typically, there are three or four supermoons in a year.
Beaver Moon
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What it is: A traditional name for the November full moon.
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Why it's called the Beaver Moon: It's the time of year when beavers were known to be particularly active, preparing for winter by building dams and stocking food.
Why are they combined?
A Beaver Moon Supermoon is a full moon that is both named "Beaver Moon" for its timing and appears larger and brighter because it's also a supermoon.
Photos: from 2024's Supermoon and Sunset Excursion. All photos by Captain Mark
Cape Lookout Lighthouse Renovation Set to Begin
Release Date: August 8, 2025
The restoration work will address the repair or replacement of the metal stairs, handrails, landings, glass panes, windows, doors, and other materials. The lighthouse will be stripped to bare brick, and the signature black-and-white diamond pattern will be repainted with breathable paint to help stabilize the moisture content of the bricks. Stone and Lime Historic Restoration, Inc., a nationally recognized firm specializing in historic masonry and lighthouse restoration, will lead the project work.
Public Access During Construction
For the safety of visitors and contractors, the Lighthouse and the immediate surrounding area will be closed to the public during the renovation period until sometime in the 2028 season. Although there will be many times when the Contractor will allow visitors into the Lightkeeper's house just in front of the Lighthouse.
Visitors are encouraged to explore the rest of the park, like the scenic beach on the undeveloped, unpopulated barrier island of Shackleford Banks where you can find the famous wild horses as well as discovering great shelling, which will remain open to the public.
Fortunately, H2O Captain, with over 125 5-Star Google Reviews and its A+ BBB rating, offers eco-tours on its private boat excursions to Shackleford Banks. Captain Mark of H2O Captain has a very high percentage of locating the wild horses and will assist you in identifying the beautiful shells that wash up onto its shores.
Image above: AI rendition of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse under renovation
Photo below: "Girls just wanna have fun," on the H2O Captain boat, photo by Captain Mark
Copyright © 2020-2025 by H2O Captain LLC Eco-Tour Private Boat Excursions. All Rights Reserved. Made with ❤ in North Carolina.