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.
FEES
WE ARE TIED TO THE OCEAN. AND WHEN WE GO BACK TO THE SEA, WHETHER IT IS TO SAIL OR TO WATCH-WE ARE GOING BACK FROM WHENCE WE CAME. --JOHN F. KENNEDY
H2O Captain is an authorized tour guide of the National Park Service Cape Lookout National Seashore. For your assurance, safety, and comfort, travel with H2O Captain! For a more in-depth description CLICK HERE and scroll down. H2O Captain also performs Burial at Sea.
MOST POPULAR PRIVATE EXCURSIONS
- 'Round We Go! A Private Excursion of our Waterways, including the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), Beaufort Inlet, Shackleford Banks, Beaufort, and Morehead City (2.5-3 hours)
$539 for up to 4 passengers M-Th. $569 on weekends & holidays. Passengers 5 and 6, if applicable, will be charged $30 each additional. - BWB...Repeat (Boat Walk Beach Repeat) a.k.a. Wild Horses & Great Shelling (4 hours)
$569 for up to 4 passengers M-Th. $599 on weekends & holidays. Passengers 5 and 6, if applicable, will be charged $30 each additional. - Cape Lookout Lighthouse (4.5 hours)
$669 for up to 4 passengers. $699 on weekends & holidays. $30 for each additional passenger 5 and 6. (5 hours). Please note: the Lighthouse is closed for climbing this year. :(
- Money On The Horses: A 2-Island Tour, Sand Dollar Island, and Shackleford Banks. $699 for up to 4 passengers. $729 on weekends & holidays. $30 for each additional passenger 5 and 6. (5 hours)
- Double Trouble: Shack Attack and a Lighthouse!! $799 for up to 4 passengers. $30 for each additional passenger 5 and 6. (5.5 hours)
- A 3-Island Tour: Sand Dollars, Wild Horses, and a Lighthouse!!! $899 for up to 4 passengers. $30 for each additional passenger 5 & 6. (6.5 hours)
- $679 for up to 4 passengers. Add $30 for passengers #5 and #6. Available Wednesday-Sunday.
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE VISITED SHACKLEFORD BANKS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS
- Ye Olde Cemetery & Beyond. Special pricing is $699 for up to 4 passengers. Please add $30 for passengers #5 and #6. 5 hours.
- Whale Creek Exploration: A low tide excursion and a walk to (hopefully) catch the wild horses drinking from a puddle right on the beach! From $569 for up to 4 passengers. $599 on weekends & holidays. Add $30 for passengers #5 & #6. Please call Captain Mark, 202-369-1063, before you book this excursion.
- Picnic Table right off the beach on Shackleford. A truly chillin’ afternoon at a picnic table as we can see the H2O Captain boat anchored right off the beach in turquoise water while we wait for the wild horses to come to us! Great for safe swimming in this private area on the protected and sandy sound side. From $569 for up to 4 passengers. $599 on weekends & holidays. Please add $30 for passengers #5 and #6.
- The Other Picnic Table on Shackleford! This one is hidden amidst the dunes in the middle of the island. VERY private. Please know on a hot day, this area can be 10 degrees warmer than where we land on the beach. From $569 for up to 4 passengers. $599 on weekends & holidays. Add $30 for passengers #5 and #6.
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DONE IT ALL!
- The Canals of Pine Knoll Shores and Livin’ the Dream on Spooners and Pelletier Creeks. 3 hours. From $539 for up to 4 passengers. $569 on weekends & holidays. Please add $30 for passengers #5 and #6.
- The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) heading south with lunch in Swansboro including viewing Gull Harbor and Spooners Creek. Maximum 4 passengers. Approximately 5 hours. Only $799.
- Tell Captain Mark your dreams and wishes and he'll do his very best to make them a reality!
PRIVATE EXCURSIONS FOR BOATERS
- Local Knowledge for Mariners (4 hours)
$539 for up to 4 passengers M-Th. $569 on weekends & holidays. Passengers 5 and 6, if applicable, will be charged $30 each additional. - Teaching Tuesdays $249 up to 2 hours or $499 up to 4 hours. Up to 6 passengers
GIFT VOUCHERS
- From $249
Holidays include:
2025: May 22-June 1; June 27-July 6; August 28-September 1
Discount: US Military, whether past, present or a student at a Service Academy now, shall receive 10% off the above costs with ID. Thank you for your service! Please know that Captain Mark is an Admissions Partner for the USCG Academy which trains future USCG Officers!
Payment: We gladly accept VISA, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards online.
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