THE DIAMOND LADY
& HER PONIES
cape lookout lighthouse
shackleford ponies
The Cape Lookout Lighthouse is one of seven statuesque beacons that sprinkle North Carolina's coastline and the second lighthouse to light up our coastline. She was built to replace the original lighthouse on Cape Lookout National Seashore, which was too short, and has been shining since 1859. Found three miles off the shore of Beaufort, you’re greeted by the tall “Diamond Lady,” stretching 188 steps into the sky. The island, which touches both the inlet and the wide-open Atlantic Ocean, is perfect for shelling, swimming and camping.
Since the 16th century, this herd has roamed the barrier islands. Foraging and digging underground for fresh water, this herd of over one-hundred ponies survives with limited human interaction. It is thought that the blonde tufted ponies are descendants of the Viking ponies that were shipwrecked here, with the rest coming from Spanish explorers.
Ferry services Harkers Island Fishing Center (252) 728-3907 Lookout Cruises (252) 540-SAIL
Cape Point Marina (252) 728-6181 Island Ferry Adventures (252) 728-4129
Local Yokel Ferry and Tours (252) 725-2759
sea turtle protection PICK UP TRASH Especially plastic bags, which the turtles think are jellyfish - one of their main food sources.
RETURNING HOME Sea turtles nest on the same beach they were born. They can live to be over 50 years old. Only about 1 in 1,000 babies will live to have hatchlings.
TURTLE VOLUNTEERS
FILL WHERE YOU DIG Digging in the sand is great fun, but be sure to fill in all of the holes and tear down your sand castle before you leave the beach. Mother turtles will get stuck or injured in them.
We have a Sea Turtle Protection Program with over 100 volunteers that walk the Emerald Isle (12.5 mi) & Atlantic Beach (4.5 mi) shores early every morning searching for evidence of sea turtle nests. Join their efforts at eiseaturtlepatrol.org
REMOVE BEACH ITEMS
SPOTTING A NEST
KEEP OUTSIDE LIGHTS OFF
The nest sites are marked by flagged tape and a large yellow post with the nest number. Since these are an endangered species, the program is not permitted to advertise the nest locations.
Any lights on the oceanside should be kept to a minimum. They are a distraction to mother turtles and can keep hatchlings from reaching the water. Their instinct is to head toward the light, which should be the moon over the ocean. Lights can send them in the wrong direction.
HATCH TIME Around the time of hatching, volunteers dig a trench 2 feet wide to help guide the baby sea turtles to the ocean. Please do not disturb these trenching areas. The baby loggerheads will come up from under the sand in groups going towards the brightest thing they see. At night, they are guided by the moon shining on the ocean.
Tents, toys, chairs, and other beach gear should not be left out overnight. They can be hazardous to mother turtles nesting and new hatchlings.
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE If you happen to find a mother turtle nesting or a nest hatching, stay back at least 30 feet, turn off your flashlight, avoid camera flashes, turn off your cell phone ringer, and stay very quiet.
(252) 354-1410 | BluewaterSalesNC.com
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