Cape Lookout National Seashore
This stretch of seashore is one of the most scenic to be found anywhere. There are several ferries that you will take you to the many islands that make up this seashore, reachable only by boat. See this link for more info: www.nps.gov/calo/
Ferries to Cape Lookout National Seashore: South Core Banks, Great Island from the Town of Davis
Two different ferry services operate in Davis, from April through November, to this remote stretch of seashore on the Atlantic Ocean, popular with fishermen and sunbathers, as well as numerous birds.
The Cape Lookout Cabins & Camps Ferry Service is located two blocks from the Pelican Coastal Cottage at the end of Horseshoe Road, at 125 Grady Davis Lane, (252) 729-9751, http://cape-lookout-ferry-davis-nc.com. This ferry service also operates a large store at its ferry site, stocking ice cream, soft drinks, beer, some groceries, fishing supplies and souvenirs. The view from the back porch is spectacular, especially at sunset. In addition to the car ferry, available services include a passenger skiff, as well as rentals of kayaks and a Kubota. You can take your four-wheel vehicle to the Core Banks and drive the 21 miles on the beach or the back road, from New Drum inlet all the way to the bight at Cape Lookout.
The Davis Shore Ferry is located at 148 Willis Rd., (252) 727-3474, www.davisferry.com and operates a car ferry and sells some supplies.
Fish House
A fish house in Davis provides fish and shrimp for Core Sound Seafood, the cooperative that delivers fresh seafood and fish throughout the year to Boone, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh. The fish house is located approximately a half-mile away from the Pelican Coastal Cottage, down Highway 70 on the way to Cedar Island, at South Harbor Road. This wholesale operation is located in a white/gray building and will sell you what the fishing fleet has caught. The fish is inexpensive and fresh, but you will have to clean it yourself. The fleet goes out from Sunday through Thursday. Fish is to be had usually from Monday through Friday but you may be able to purchase some on Saturday morning.
Harker’s Island
Cape Lookout National Seashore: Historic Lighthouse, Village and Cape Lookout Bight, www.nps.gov/calo/.
Harker’s Island Visitor Center has exhibits, a park film and nature trails.
There is ferry service from Harker’s Island to Cape Lookout. On your trip, you may see wild horses. Once you arrive, you can either sunbathe on the sound side or the ocean side. You can climb the Cape Lookout Lighthouse after acquiring a ticket. Operating at times is a mule-train ride (a truck) that will take you through the historic nearby village and out to the Cape Lookout Bight, where the shelling is often good.
Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center, also at the end of Harker’s Island, celebrates the culture and life of the small fishing villages that make up the Down East area of North Carolina. In addition to numerous exhibits, there is also a lookout tower with wonderful views and a walking trail. Many community events are held throughout the year. For information, call (252)728-1500 or go to: www.coresound.com.
Historic Beaufort
This historic town is an easy 20-minute drive from Pelican Coastal Cottage, and was built in the 1700s and is a yachting center. You will see many historic houses, an old cemetery and numerous boats. There are many fine-dining restaurants, a fudge shop and numerous shops and boutiques. The North Carolina Maritime Museum traces the area’s maritime history and is the official repository for artifacts from Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge, which ran aground near Beaufort in 1718. Wooden boatbuilding classes are available. You can sign up in town for boat tours, ghost walks and pirate shows, as well as horse-drawn carriage rides and a double-decker narrated bus tour. www.historicbeaufort.com.
Morehead City
This working port is full of fishing boats, restaurants and shops, and sits just west of Beaufort, https://moreheadcity.nc.gov/. There is music in the summer in the public park by the water. One outstanding high-end restaurant is The City Kitchen, known for its spectacular toffee pudding (call ahead to reserve yours, (252) 648-8141, www.citykitchenfoods.com).
Atlantic Beach/Emerald Isle
From Morehead City, you cross the bridge and arrive in Atlantic Beach where you will find Fort Macon State Park and its beach on the Atlantic Ocean. Emerald Isle is also located across the bridge.
Fort Macon State Park includes an attractive beach, as well as a Civil War fort constructed of brick and stone, www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/foma/main.php.
Atlantic
This is an active fishing village to the north of Pelican Coastal Cottage with many old white wooden houses. The Morris Marina Ferry Service takes visitors out to the North Core Banks (Long Point) section of Cape Lookout National Seashore. This ferry service is located at 1000 Morris Marina Road, www.portsmouthislandfishing.com, (252) 225-4261. It also offers special Portsmouth Village vehicle tours with guide (4-10 people), available with two- week notice.
Cedar Island
This small fishing village on Pamlico Sound is the point of departure for the Ocracoke Island ferry. The Driftwood Motel operates a restaurant here with fresh fish, and there is also a gift shop. The village has a well-stocked convenience store but no gasoline so make sure you have enough for your return trip. The beach is broad and the water is quite shallow.
Ocracoke Island
The ferry to Ocracoke leaves from Cedar Island, and makes a good day-trip if you are staying at the Pelican Coastal Cottage. You can take your car or your bike or walk onto the ferry. Ocracoke has an expansive beach, quaint shops, and a number of restaurants including the Flying Melon Café, (252) 928-2533. There is also a historical lighthouse. You can arrange for a trip to Portsmouth Island from here as well.
Portsmouth Island
This island is home to a ghost village with a post office, school house, church and life-saving station. The nearby beach is secluded and excellent for shelling. The island is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Austin Boat Tours offers tours twice a day in season, (252) 928-4361 or (252) 928-5431, www.portsmouthnc.com, with reservations recommended.
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