Shackleford Banks Photo Quest

Join us for a guided photography tour between 9:15AM to 11:3APM on Shackleford Banks. Visitors will be encouraged to photograph different objects and landscapes during the walk. Flowers crabs horses grass-covered dunes or a rising tide may be your inspiration. This prog......More

Join us for a guided photography tour between 9:15AM to 11:3APM on Shackleford Banks. Visitors will be encouraged to photograph different objects and landscapes during the walk. Flowers crabs horses grass-covered dunes or a rising tide may be your inspiration. This program is for avid photographers interested in nature photography. You will need to bring your own camera gear. The National Park Service will not provide cameras. Visitors will be walking along the beach sand dunes and in the marsh. Sturdy closed toe shoes are recommended.Difficulty: This program is considered moderate. We will be climbing dune hills walking in loose sand soundside marsh walking through shallow water and mud flats. We will walk at a moderate pace and then stop in various locations for photographic opportunities. Duration of the program will be 2 hours with a total walking distance of approximately 1-1 ½ miles.Cost: There is no cost for the Program however each participant will need to purchase a ferry ticket to Shackleford Banks leaving from Harkers Island. They must make a roundtrip ferry reservation in advance via Island Express Ferry Services.com.Amenities: There are no amenities on the East end of Shackleford Banks.Weather: The program will be canceled 24 hours in advance if the forecast calls for heavy rain or lightning.Footwear: Closed toe walking shoes (that you do not mind getting wet) are necessary to protect your feet from cacti sand spurs and oysters.Suggested items to bring:● water in a reclosable bottle● snacks● sturdy close-toed walking shoes that can get wet salty & dirty and will protect from cactus sand spurs & sharp oyster shells while wading (no flip-flops)● hat● sunscreen● bug repellent● rain jacket● Camera with zoom or telephoto len● Can-do spirit and sense of adventure

Crystal Coast Star Party 2024: ASIAIR Astrophotography Workshop

Have you ever been stargazing and wished you could create a photo to remember the night? Join us at the Harkers Island Visitor Center to learn the basic of astrophotography using ASIAIR equipment. The workshop will be taught by Dr. Robert Harrison, a NASA Solar System A......More

Have you ever been stargazing and wished you could create a photo to remember the night? Join us at the Harkers Island Visitor Center to learn the basic of astrophotography using ASIAIR equipment. The workshop will be taught by Dr. Robert Harrison, a NASA Solar System Ambassador.Visitors are welcomed to set up their telescopes and camera equipment.   

Event will take place outside the Harkers Island Visitors Center

Crystal Coast Star Party 2024: Starlight Cruise to Cape Lookout Lighthouse

Island Express Ferry Service wil be taking visitors from Harkers Island Visitor Center to Cape Lookout Lighthouse by passenger ferry. Ferry passengers will disembark from the starlight cruise for a laser-pointed tour of the night sky by a Nasa Solar System Ambassador. T......More

Island Express Ferry Service wil be taking visitors from Harkers Island Visitor Center to Cape Lookout Lighthouse by passenger ferry. Ferry passengers will disembark from the starlight cruise for a laser-pointed tour of the night sky by a Nasa Solar System Ambassador. The only lights on South Core Banks will be the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Visitors will be able to enjoy the dark sky of the Outer Banks. 

Visitors will catch the Island Express Ferry from Harkers Island Visitor Center

Crystal Coast Star Party 2024: Public Stargazing

Join us as the Crystal Coast Stargazers club lend their expertise and their telescopes for a night of star gazing and planet viewing. Dress for the weather and bring mosquito repellent (in case). Flashlights should have a red lens to protect your night vision.Have a tel......More

Join us as the Crystal Coast Stargazers club lend their expertise and their telescopes for a night of star gazing and planet viewing. Dress for the weather and bring mosquito repellent (in case). Flashlights should have a red lens to protect your night vision.Have a telescope? Bring it along and join us. Bring your own folding chair or a beach blanket/towel to use on the grass.This event is kid-friendly, but we kindly request no pets. Stargazing is weather dependent.  Please monitor the weather and/or call the Harkers Island Visitor Center (252-728-2250) before 5:00 P.M. (EDT) to confirm event status. 

Behind the Harkers Island Visitor Center

Crystal Coast Star Party 2024: Astronomy Activities for Kids

Join State Park Ranger, Paul Terry, and the Crystal Coast Stargazers for an astronomy activity. More information to come about the activity!

Returning to the Moon – Preparing for Mars

Crystal Coast Star Party 2024: Returning to the Moon – Preparing for Mars

Join Ray Lundquist, a NASA Science Engineer, to learn about the Artemis mission. The Artemis missions will feature the first woman and first person of color on the Moon. NASA is returning to the Moon to inspire astronomical exploration. Learn more about the program with......More

Join Ray Lundquist, a NASA Science Engineer, to learn about the Artemis mission. The Artemis missions will feature the first woman and first person of color on the Moon. NASA is returning to the Moon to inspire astronomical exploration. Learn more about the program with Ray Lundquist.   

Event will take place inside the Harkers Island Visitors Center

Crystal Coast Star Party 2024: Starlight Cruise to Cape Lookout Lighthouse

Island Express Ferry Service wil be taking visitors from Harkers Island Visitor Center to Cape Lookout Lighthouse by passenger ferry. Ferry passengers will disembark from the starlight cruise for a laser-pointed tour of the night sky by a Nasa Solar System Ambassador. T......More

Island Express Ferry Service wil be taking visitors from Harkers Island Visitor Center to Cape Lookout Lighthouse by passenger ferry. Ferry passengers will disembark from the starlight cruise for a laser-pointed tour of the night sky by a Nasa Solar System Ambassador. The only lights on South Core Banks will be the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Visitors will be able to enjoy the dark sky of the Outer Banks. 

Visitors will catch the Island Express Ferry from Harkers Island Visitor Center

Crystal Coast Star Party 2024: Public Stargazing

Join us as the Crystal Coast Stargazers club lend their expertise and their telescopes for a night of star gazing and planet viewing. Dress for the weather and bring mosquito repellent (in case). Flashlights should have a red lens to protect your night vision.Have a tel......More

Join us as the Crystal Coast Stargazers club lend their expertise and their telescopes for a night of star gazing and planet viewing. Dress for the weather and bring mosquito repellent (in case). Flashlights should have a red lens to protect your night vision.Have a telescope? Bring it along and join us. Bring your own folding chair or a beach blanket/towel to use on the grass.This event is kid-friendly, but we kindly request no pets. Stargazing is weather dependent.  Please monitor the weather and/or call the Harkers Island Visitor Center (252-728-2250) before 5:00 P.M. (EDT) to confirm event status. 

Behind the Harkers Island Visitor Center

Shackleford Banks Photo Quest

Join us for a guided photography tour between 12:15PM to 2:30PM on Shackleford Banks. Visitors will be encouraged to photograph different objects and landscapes during the walk. Flowers crabs horses grass-covered dunes or a rising tide may be your inspiration. This prog......More

Join us for a guided photography tour between 12:15PM to 2:30PM on Shackleford Banks. Visitors will be encouraged to photograph different objects and landscapes during the walk. Flowers crabs horses grass-covered dunes or a rising tide may be your inspiration. This program is for avid photographers interested in nature photography. You will need to bring your own camera gear. The National Park Service will not provide cameras. Visitors will be walking along the beach sand dunes and in the marsh. Sturdy closed toe shoes are recommended.Difficulty: This program is considered moderate. We will be climbing dune hills walking in loose sand soundside marsh walking through shallow water and mud flats. We will walk at a moderate pace and then stop in various locations for photographic opportunities. Duration of the program will be 2 hours with a total walking distance of approximately 1-1 ½ miles.Cost: There is no cost for the Program however each participant will need to purchase a ferry ticket to Shackleford Banks leaving from Harkers Island. They must make a roundtrip ferry reservation in advance via Island Express Ferry Services.com.Amenities: There are no amenities on the East end of Shackleford Banks.Weather: The program will be canceled 24 hours in advance if the forecast calls for heavy rain or lightning.Footwear: Closed toe walking shoes (that you do not mind getting wet) are necessary to protect your feet from cacti sand spurs and oysters.Suggested items to bring:● water in a reclosable bottle● snacks● sturdy close-toed walking shoes that can get wet salty & dirty and will protect from cactus sand spurs & sharp oyster shells while wading (no flip-flops)● hat● sunscreen● bug repellent● rain jacket● Camera with zoom or telephoto len● Can-do spirit and sense of adventure

Shackleford Banks Photo Quest

Join us for a guided photography tour between 9:15AM to 11:3APM on Shackleford Banks. Visitors will be encouraged to photograph different objects and landscapes during the walk. Flowers crabs horses grass-covered dunes or a rising tide may be your inspiration. This prog......More

Join us for a guided photography tour between 9:15AM to 11:3APM on Shackleford Banks. Visitors will be encouraged to photograph different objects and landscapes during the walk. Flowers crabs horses grass-covered dunes or a rising tide may be your inspiration. This program is for avid photographers interested in nature photography. You will need to bring your own camera gear. The National Park Service will not provide cameras. Visitors will be walking along the beach sand dunes and in the marsh. Sturdy closed toe shoes are recommended.Difficulty: This program is considered moderate. We will be climbing dune hills walking in loose sand soundside marsh walking through shallow water and mud flats. We will walk at a moderate pace and then stop in various locations for photographic opportunities. Duration of the program will be 2 hours with a total walking distance of approximately 1-1 ½ miles.Cost: There is no cost for the Program however each participant will need to purchase a ferry ticket to Shackleford Banks leaving from Harkers Island. They must make a roundtrip ferry reservation in advance via Island Express Ferry Services.com.Amenities: There are no amenities on the East end of Shackleford Banks.Weather: The program will be canceled 24 hours in advance if the forecast calls for heavy rain or lightning.Footwear: Closed toe walking shoes (that you do not mind getting wet) are necessary to protect your feet from cacti sand spurs and oysters.Suggested items to bring:● water in a reclosable bottle● snacks● sturdy close-toed walking shoes that can get wet salty & dirty and will protect from cactus sand spurs & sharp oyster shells while wading (no flip-flops)● hat● sunscreen● bug repellent● rain jacket● Camera with zoom or telephoto len● Can-do spirit and sense of adventure