For an island adventure, hop a ferry from Beaufort to the isolated and undeveloped islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Highlights include Shackleford Banks, an uninhabited sandbar with spectacular seashells and herds of wild ponies, and the diamond-patterned Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Primitive camping is allowed in some areas – the coolest place to sleep is on Portsmouth Island, where you can wander an abandoned 18th-century settlement and sleep on the beach. Bring bug spray – the mosquitoes are notorious..
The park has visitor centers in five different locations, with varying opening hours. Check online for a complete list.
