Rachel Carson Reserve Tours

Your 3-hour boat tour departs from the Beaufort Hotel and ventures into remote areas of the Rachel Carson Reserve not accessible by the local ferry operators. You’ll look for dolphins, turtles, and wild horses during your transit along the shores and tidal creeks of the Reserve, in addition to ospreys and shorebirds that feed and gather in this pristine ecosystem. The Reserve is located along the Atlantic Flyway and provides a resting and refueling point for numerous migratory birds. You’ll have ample opportunities to capture nature with your camera or collect seashells cast ashore with the tides. You’ll also observe the various research projects being conducted in the Reserve. Your boat tour ends at the Beaufort Hotel. (Reserve islands included with this tour: Town Marsh, Bird Shoal, Horse Island, and Carrot Island).

Personalized Experiences

Your tour guide, Miriam Sutton, is a Science Educator, Nature Photographer, certified Kayak/SUP Instructor, and licensed Boat OUPV Captain. Miriam is a member of the Rachel Carson Reserve Local Action Committee and has been sharing her passion and knowledge of Beaufort and the Rachel Carson Reserve since 1997. Her customized tours provide unique experiences with area wildlife and opportunities to explore hidden components of the Reserve.

Cost: $100/person. Maximum 2 people.

Contact Miriam directly to make your arrangements during your stay for this once in a lifetime experience.

Advance Reservations Only

Call Science by the Sea directly to book at (252) 808-7485. Be sure to tell them you are staying at the Beaufort Hotel.

Please note that these are individualized experiences so they are in high demand and book up very fast.

Locals Recommend

“We were graced with a bluebird day on Miriam’s boat. She is a wealth of information on the area and wildlife. We made our way around the Rachel Carson Reserve and even stopped at a couple of islands and sandbars to look for shells. The ecology of this area is really interesting. We saw wild horses, albacore, dolphins, and stingrays among others. The topography of the area constantly changes with storms and tides. A great way to get to know the area!

Where your Outer Banks adventure begins.

Situated on ten acres, the Beaufort Hotel is offers the privacy of a boutique hotel within minutes to some of the best experiences you’ll enjoy on the Southern Outer Banks.

During your stay, discover, experience, and explore Beaufort – named the “Best Small Town for Adventure” in America by USA Today.

The Beaufort Hotel is a private escape that’s close to every kind of adventure you can imagine. We encourage you to explore like a local, as we give you a slice of what it’s like to live here on the Crystal Coast.

Attraction Details

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Experience Beaufort North Carolina’s Attractions

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