Just a short drive from Emerald Isle, the Rachel Carson Reserve offers one of the Crystal Coast’s most memorable wildlife experiences. A small herd of wild horses roams freely across Carrot Island, where visitors can often spot them grazing along the marshes or resting near the shoreline. Whether you arrive by guided boat tour, passenger ferry, kayak, or paddleboard, seeing these iconic horses is a highlight of any Crystal Coast vacation.
Directly across from Beaufort‘s waterfront, the Rachel Carson Reserve is a protected coastal ecosystem that spans Carrot Island and several surrounding uninhabited islands, including Town Marsh, Bird Shoal, and Horse Island. Accessible only by water, the reserve makes an easy day trip from Emerald Isle.
In this guide, we’ll cover the best ways to get there, what to expect, and tips for making the most of your visit.
The Wild Horses of Carrot Island
Carrot Island, one of the islands that make up the Rachel Carson Reserve, has been home to wild horses for generations, and perhaps even centuries. While the herd’s origins are a bit of a mystery, it’s believed that their ancestors were brought to the area hundreds of years ago as domestic livestock.
Unlike the closely documented herd on nearby Shackleford Banks, the Carrot Island horses roam free without population management. Both herds are feral, meaning they descend from domesticated horses and have returned to a wild state. You can often spot members of the small herd along the shoreline or the edges of the marsh.
As you explore the island, keep your distance and never approach or feed the horses. Ensuring these prized animals stay wild and unimpacted by humans is vital. The best way you can appreciate them is with your eyes or a camera and the best time to catch a glimpse is in early morning or late afternoon, when they tend to be most active.
Can You See the Horses Without Going to the Island?
If you want to see the horses without taking a boat to the island, you can often see the horses from Taylor’s Creek in Beaufort. Beaufort’s waterfront is another location that presents viewing opportunities, stretching the entire length of the reserve. Here, you might see the herd grazing on the long grass of Carrot Island’s and Town Marsh’s sound-facing shores.
If your schedule is tight, you have limited mobility, or you’re traveling with young children, a guided boat tour around the reserve still immerses you in the wild, windswept world of the herd, with a view from the water that can be just as memorable. The reserve slowly comes into view as sunlight dances across Taylor’s Creek, and in the distance, you spot horses grazing on the marshes.
How to Get to Rachel Carson Reserve
Option 1: Guided Boat Tour
A guided boat tour from Beaufort or Morehead City is one way to get to the island and is a fun outing for first-time visitors, families with young children, and older adults. These tours typically range between two and three hours, giving you plenty of time to see the herd, enjoy the water, and possibly spot bottlenose dolphins along the way. For little ones, seeing the wild animals for the first time often brings big eyes and delighted laughter.
Tour options vary by season, and some include time to walk the shoreline, collect a few empty shells, and learn all about the marsh ecosystem that creates a harmonious coexistence of terrestrial and marine life. Tours during the summer season can fill quickly, so reserve your spot in advance.
Option 2: Passenger Ferry
A passenger ferry from the Beaufort waterfront gives you the freedom to explore Carrot Island at your own pace. Once ashore, you can take your time strolling the island, listening to rustling marsh grass and birdsong, and find a quiet place to watch the horses. Several local ferry operators offer round-trip transportation with scheduled drop-off and pickup times. With modest pricing and seasonal schedules, we recommend checking availability before your trip.
Option 3: Kayak or Paddleboard
Launching a kayak or paddleboard at one of the public water access points in Beaufort takes you across Taylor’s Creek to Carrot Island, adding a little more adventure to the journey. Watch for herons, egrets, and dolphins as your paddle dips in and out of the water. As you approach, circle the banks in search of wild horses or pull your craft ashore and step out onto the sand, keeping your distance from the cherished animals. Then, the island is yours to explore.
Most days bring a peaceful ride through calm water, but conditions can change, so be sure to check the weather, wind, and tides before setting out. Rentals are conveniently available in Beaufort if you don’t have your own equipment.
What to Expect on the Island
Know Before You Go
Carrot Island remains largely undeveloped, with no restrooms, concessions, shade structures, or trash collection. Come prepared to pack out everything you bring in and enjoy a few quiet hours amid the island’s untamed natural setting.
What To Bring
The landscape ranges from sandy shoreline and tidal marshes to low coastal shrubs. Closed-toe shoes are a good idea for uneven trails and marshy ground. Bring sunscreen, more than enough water, and insect repellent, especially in summer and early fall when mosquitoes are most active.
Respect the Wildlife
The most important thing is respecting the native ecosystem and wildlife. Since the horses are wild, you’ll need to keep a safe viewing distance, but binoculars or a camera can give you a closer glimpse without disturbing them or their environment.
Plan Your Trip
Most visitors spend between 1.5 to 3 hours on the island. If you’re arriving by ferry, boat, or by paddle, be sure to factor travel time into your plans for the day.
What Else to See and Do in Beaufort
Beaufort’s historic streets, waterfront restaurants, and working harbor can easily turn your trip to the reserve into a full day of fun. If your ferry or boat leaves from downtown, consider arriving early or staying afterward to soak up the town’s historic and vibrant atmosphere.
Start at the Beaufort Historic Site and Old Burying Ground, a short walk from the waterfront, where stories of Beaufort’s past come to life. From there, walk to Front Street for lunch overlooking the water, then visit the free NC Maritime Museum to learn more about the region’s seafaring history. Or wander along the harbor as the sky glows with the pink and purple shades of a Crystal Coast sunset.
For another chance to see wild horses, plan a separate excursion to Shackleford Banks. Ferries depart from Beaufort as well and take you along the eight-mile barrier island, which is home to 110 to 130 Spanish mustangs that allegedly swam ashore after a shipwreck. Beyond the horses, visitors can spend time walking the beach, shelling, or enjoying the surf before returning by ferry. Carrot Island and Shackleford Banks are different in scale and character, but both make for a worthwhile visit for any family or group looking to explore.
Planning Tips for the Trip from Emerald Isle
Spring and fall bring milder temperatures and smaller crowds, giving you more space to explore Carrot Island at your own pace. If you’re visiting in the summer, make sure to reserve your spot and plan to arrive earlier in the day, when the island is typically less crowded. This includes parking in Beaufort, where downtown lots can quickly fill on busy weekends.
You can also pair your visit with other Crystal Coast attractions. Fort Macon State Park invites you to imagine life inside a 19th-century fort, while the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores brings you face-to-face with coastal wildlife.
Come Home to Emerald Isle
After a day exploring Beaufort and the Rachel Carson Reserve, you can return to Emerald Isle for a quiet evening near the beach. With so many Crystal Coast adventures less than an hour away, Emerald Isle makes a convenient, comfortable home base. Whether you’re planning day trips or relaxing by the beach, staying nearby gives you the flexibility to experience more.
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Visiting the Rachel Carson Reserve from Emerald Isle
Are there wild horses at the Rachel Carson Reserve?
Yes, the Rachel Carson Reserve is home to a small herd of wild horses that can often be seen grazing or resting on Carrot Island.
Is the Rachel Carson Reserve free to visit?
There is no admission fee to visit the Rachel Carson Reserve. However, because it’s only accessible by water, you’ll need to book a guided boat tour or passenger ferry to reach Carrot Island, or launch a kayak or paddleboard from a public access point along Taylor’s Creek. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available in Beaufort as well.
How do I visit the Rachel Carson Reserve from Emerald Isle?
From Emerald Isle, you’ll want to travel about 45 minutes east to Beaufort or Morehead City and take a boat tour or passenger ferry to the Rachel Carson Reserve. You can also take a kayak or paddleboard from one of the public access points along Taylor’s Creek in Beaufort, though you’ll want to check water conditions before heading out.
What's the difference between the Rachel Carson Reserve horses and the Shackleford Banks horses?
The Rachel Carson Reserve is home to a smaller herd believed to be descended from domestic livestock brought to the area generations ago. The larger Shackleford Banks herd has documented Spanish ancestry, and local legend suggests the mustangs swam ashore after a shipwreck, although their exact origins remain uncertain.
Can you see the wild horses without taking a boat to the island?
Yes. Horses can often be seen from the Beaufort waterfront and along Taylor’s Creek.
What's the best time of day to see wild horses?
The horses are generally most active in the early morning and late afternoon. During summer, visiting earlier in the day also means cooler temperatures, easier parking and fewer crowds.
