"To meet the goal of science literacy, students must be actively involved in hands-on experiences." ​​
​(American Association for the Advancement of Science, Project 2061)

Shackleford Banks Adventure

The Eastern End of Shackleford Banks is a special place.  Steeped in history, rich in marine life, remarkable in its beauty, this is one of the most unique locations on the grand coast of North Carolina.  This end of the Shackleford Banks is bordered by hundreds of acres of salt marsh teeming with life.   Banker ponies are found grazing in higher numbers here than anywhere else in the state.   A short distance across the inlet stands the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, a beacon for over 160 years.   We chose this location as an inspiring setting for learning and discovering, for viewing living history and encountering the wonders of coastal life.  Activities include netting marine life in the salt marsh, crabbing, and beach explorations.  Fishing can be included seasonally by choosing to do our four hour version of this program.
  • Choose this program to encounter dolphin and banker ponies, for catching and studying marine life and to visit a very remote and scenic beach
  • Offered as either 3 or 4 hour program
  • Suitable for all grades
  • Departs from Harkers Island, NC​  (Harkers Island is 30 minutes east of Beaufort)  ​
Shackleford Banks and Core Banks are part of
Cape Lookout National Seashore

​Cape Lookout Discovery

Visit one of the most scenic locations on the Carolina coast during this excursion to Core Banks and the Cape Lookout lighthouse. During this program we explore tidal flats, study pristine beaches, and visit the 163' high Cape Lookout lighthouse!  The lighthouse has been guiding mariners around North Carolina's treacherous shoals since 1859.   The geography, water and beaches of Cape Lookout are remarkably beautiful.   This program departs from the charming coastal community of Harkers Island.
  • Choose this program if you are interested in combining maritime history with coastal science
  • Offered as either 3 or 4 hour program 
  • Suitable for all grade levels 
  • Departs from Harkers Island, NC  (Harkers Island is 30 minutes east of Beaufort)

 Island Hopping the Outer Banks

Two islands in one field trip!   We offer this program to both Cape Lookout and Shackleford Banks in one five-hour incredible field trip!    In addition to visiting the Cape Lookout lighthouse, this program includes an exploration of the remote eastern point of Shackleford Banks where banker ponies are commonly found.
  • Choose this program if you are interested in combining science, culture and history as an extended-day outing
  • Offered as a 5-hour program
  • Suitable for 4th grade and above
  • Departs from Harkers Island, NC  (Harkers Island is 30 minutes east of Beaufort)

​Island & Sound Exploration

Our oldest and most popular program, this excursion takes your class to the beautiful deserted beaches of Masonboro Island.   Masonboro is the largest undeveloped island on North Carolina's southern coast and is preserved just for education, research and traditional uses.  Activities can include crabbing, investigating the life found in a salt marsh and exploring one of the best shelling beaches in our state.
  • This is one of our most educational and hands-on programs 
  • Offered as either 3 or 4 hour program 
  • Suitable for all grades
  • Departs from Carolina Beach, NC

 ​Ocean Ecology Cruise

A trip on the open ocean connects us to the life, energy, and scale of Earth's largest and most important environment.  This adventure offers the best fishing of any of our half-day trips as we travel to 3 miles offshore to fish for sea bass, porgies, blues and an assortment of other species. Vertebrate and invertebrate studies also take place with marine life collected in a shrimp trawl.   The fish the students catch become the subject matter for the study of ecology, adaptations, and other natural science topics.   This is a great trip for sighting bottlenose dolphin!​
  • Choose this program for our most "at sea" experience and for exciting fishing. 
  • This is also our most educational program for covering the middle school curriculum.
  • Offered as either 3- or 4-hour program
  • Suitable for all grades 4th and above.
  • Departs from Calabash, N.C.

​Pier into the Ocean

Fish, search for fossils, hunt for mole crabs and do hands-on food web studies at the historic Kure Beach Pier. This program also includes a pizza lunch for your group's convenience. 
  • Choose this program for affordability, fishing, and the convenience of having lunch included. 
  • This is a 2-hour program with an extra 30 minutes for lunch
  • Suitable for all grades.
  • Takes place in Kure Beach, NC
  • Kure Pier is just minutes away from the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

Estuary-quest at Fort Fisher Lagoon

Nature and history are beautifully intertwined at the Fort Fisher estuary.   Students explore  different aquatic systems as well as discovering the region’s Civil War and lighthouse history.  Now part of the Zekes Island Preserve, these waters team with life and movement.  Activities can include crabbing, shelling, and salt marsh collecting as well as investigating the remains of Battery Buchanan.   Two of our state’s 8 lighthouses are within view. 
  • Choose this program for combining studies of estuaries and N.C. history in a hands-on adventure!  This is also our most affordable program.
  • Suitable for all grades.
  • Located at Federal Point on the southern tip of Fort Fisher
  • Offered as a 2.5 – 3 hour program.
  • Schools may decide to extend the fun by taking the conveniently located Fort Fisher Ferry to Southport after the program; this 35 minute ferry ride cruises through the exceptional scenery of the Lower Cape Fear River estuary.

​Gulf Stream Nature Excursion

Traveling to the Gulf Stream is like traveling to an undiscovered realm for many people. It is a place of crystal blue water and magnificent marine life. Flying fish, 300-pound sea turtles, and dolphin are often observed. Students catch and learn about reef fish during this full day offshore trip. Students also take part in oceanographic studies.
  • Choose this program for exposure to an environment few students have ever visited, for high level content, and outstanding fishing.
  • Full day (10 hour) excursion
  • Suitable for grades 9th and above.​