The area surrounding Beaufort was inhabited by the Coree Indians when the settlers arrived in the 16th century. Shell Mounds were discovered around the area dating back today over 1000 years. It's believed the Shell Mounds were seasonal subsistence camps. The mounds contained mostly oysters shells. Fish bones, stone tools and human remains were also found in the mounds. The mounds indicate the Coree were hunter - fishers - gatherers. Research shows the Coree built shell causeways to the outer islands. Shell Point on Harkers Island was described in 1931 as being 10 feet tall and 300 feet across.

History is not clear what language the Coree spoke. Most believe it was a local dialect of the Iroquois and Algonquian languages.

By 1701 only 125 members of the tribe existed. The Tuscarora War of 1711 seems to have done away with the Coree. Their genetics were absorbed into the local American and African American populations.

Seavisions Charters has been an authorized guided boat tour operator at the Cape Lookout National Seashore since 2008.