Getting here
Compare airports and driving routes to Beaufort, NC, then find downtown parking and authorized passenger ferries to Cape Lookout and Shackleford Banks.
Arrival, ferry docks, and Crystal Coast approaches
EWN near New Bern is the closest commercial airport in this guide. Beaufort is reached by road through Morehead City, while Cape Lookout and Shackleford Banks require authorized passenger ferries and current-condition checks.
Second Star gear guide
Road Trip Essentials
Road-trip packing list
Phone mounts, coolers, emergency kits, chargers, packing pieces, and glovebox backup for scenic drives and weekend routes.
Car Phone Mounts
$26.99
Road Trip Coolers
$275.00
Car Emergency Kits
$69.95
Road and air
Nearest airport
EWN near New Bern is the closest commercial airport in the site's airport set, about 33 miles from Beaufort in straight-line terms. Check current road mileage, rental-car hours, and flight options before booking.
More flight options
ILM is roughly 78 straight-line miles away and RDU roughly 144. Both require a longer drive than EWN, but may offer schedules or fares that justify the extra road time.
Driving
Beaufort sits east of Morehead City on the Carteret County coast. Confirm current traffic and bridge conditions, then use your lodging's exact parking instructions rather than assuming downtown curb space.
Passenger ferries
Island Express Ferry Service is the authorized NPS concessioner for passenger trips from Beaufort and Harkers Island. Beaufort departures serve the west end of Shackleford Banks and Cape Lookout Lighthouse area; Harkers Island departures serve the east end of Shackleford and the lighthouse area. Schedules are seasonal and weather dependent.
Official resources
Keep exploring
We will add a coastal North Carolina handoff when another nearby destination guide is live.
