There’s an unspoken pull from Beaufort’s waterways, where the gentle swell of the Atlantic and the salt-sweet breeze invite you to launch a kayak or paddleboard toward Carrot Island. Floating through these clear, shifting channels feels less like traversing water and more like gliding through a living mirror, where the sky and sea merge seamlessly. Here, the wild horses roam fiercely, their manes flicking in the wind, embodying untamed spirit beneath the sun’s steady watch.

Carrot Island itself sits quietly, accessible only by boat or paddle, a quiet island refuge where the horses have thrived for centuries. The waters around it require respect: currents shift unpredictably, pushing and pulling as if daring you to read their language right. Paddlers should prepare for a route of roughly 3 miles round trip from Beaufort harbor, passing through shallow marshes and deeper channels.

This is no casual float. The boats you choose must be sturdy and responsive. Life vests are mandatory; currents may grow stronger around the island’s narrow points, demanding focused navigation. Plan your trip around low tide to avoid the thickest marsh grasses and ensure safer passage. Early morning launches reward you with calm water and a chance to catch the horses at their most active, grazing and moving with the island’s steady rhythm.

Keep your pace steady. The horses are skittish but curious; approach quietly and give them space to decide whether you’re just a ripple in their world or a threat needing cautious distance. The island’s wild landscape offers more than horses — birdcalls hover in the salt air, and the marshes pulse with other life. A paddle trip here is practical, rewarding, and intimate, offering a rare view of nature that’s equally breathtaking and demanding.

Bring waterproof bags to protect supplies, a hawk’s patience, and an eye for details in the water’s subtle shifts. The adventure of Carrot Island means navigating this intersection of water, wind, and wild, respecting each force as a partner in your journey.