South Core Banks, part of Cape Lookout National Seashore
South Core Banks is the middle barrier island of the three that make up Cape Lookout National Seashore. It runs in a northeast to southwest direction and stretches for 21 miles. The east side faces the Atlantic Ocean while the west side faces Core Sound.
As with the other barrier islands in the park, South Core Banks can only be reached by boat. Driving is allowed on the beaches, and if you have a 4-Wheel Drive vehicle, you can take a ferry from Davis, North Carolina. Prices start at around $130, so it is not cheap to get your vehicle across. While there are no rules against taking a 2-Wheel Drive, don’t do it. You will get stuck in the sand. You also might want to think twice about All Wheel Drives unless they have high clearance.
South Core Banks is the most popular destination in the park, for day-trippers flock to the southern end to visit Cape Lookout Lighthouse, the Cape Lookout Village Historic District, and the beaches. A convenient passenger ferry departs from the Harkers Island Visitor Center and takes guests to a dock right near the lighthouse. This makes visiting the historic areas, as well as shelling and swimming on the beaches near the lighthouse, feasible for those without a 4-Wheel Drive. A ferry also leaves from Beaufort, North Carolina, but the travel time is much greater and there are limited departure and return times.
Cape Lookout Lighthouse Complex
Cape Lookout Village Historic District
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Last updated on March 25, 2024
