Ocracoke Island Things to Do

Since Ocracoke is part of the NPS Cape Hatteras National Seashore, a lovely little Visitor center is available on the island. There is a huge whale skull outside from a beached whale. The NPS staff never disappoints at being so knowledgable and friendly. You can purchase postcards and all things OBX in this center.

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Driving down to the OBX you will notice several different lighthouses. Each lighthouse has their own unique design. The Ocracoke lighthouse is all white, built in 1823 and is the 2nd oldest lighthouse in the US. Standing at a mere 75ft it is also the shortest and oldest of all in the OBX.

We were unable to go in and I don't think it is ever open to the public. A NPS ranger is there during the peak season to answer any questions.

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There is not much to this British cemetery, but since it was next to the campground we had a look. Many people walk to the cemetery since everything is walking distance on the island. This gravesite is also next to a private gravesite.

The cemetery has 4 graves of English soldiers whose ship(HMS Bedfordshire) was attached by a German U-boat in 1942. The ship had 33 people but these were the only bodies to wash ashore. The ship was used to escort convoys and torpedo ships but on May 11, 42 the Germans torpedoed them from 600 meters away.

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We discovered this newly developed trail while we were cruising around on our bikes. This trail leads you through some hardwoods as well as along the beach. The trail is still in progress of being developed as noted the sign states "coming soon".

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We found some interesting trails on our travels throughout the island. One of the trails is right off of Hwy 12 as you come off the ferry towards the town center. (Hammock Hill trail).

We saw some wildlife on the trail but you gotta keep your eyes open from them; I almost stepped on a frog. This trail is also good for birding.

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A great way to get acquainted with this tiny island is to bike around. Cars are actually a burden on the narrow roads, so bike travel is much quicker! BE CAREFUL some people do not know how to drive!

We rented bikes from a ice cream place. You will see many rental places once you arrive on the island. For 2 bikes, 4 hours it was $20.00.

The ponies of Ocracoke used to roam freely about the island, but they decided to pen them up to keep them from blocking the traffic on the highway and eating up all of the vegitation. The pens are huge, so I don't really think it's too much of an inconvinience for the ponies (then again, I'm not a pony, so what do I know).

Ok, so there's really not much to see here. They've got horses right next door to my grandmother's house and that's only three miles from home. I really don't need to come all the way down here to see this. Still, it's right there on the side of the highway so i figured that I might as well stop. I didn't have anything better to do anyway.

Portsmout Island, just south of Ocracoke Island, is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. This seashore, unlike it's norther neighbor, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, is remote. There are no roads leading to it, no roads on it (visitors bring their 4 wheel drive vehicles here by boat, but that's another tip...), and there aren't any facilities to speak of. Hell, even the visitors center's way back on the mainland.

Portsmouth village itself is a ghost town. It used to be a fishing village, and a long time ago it was an important unloading place for trading ships back in the colonial days. The last permanent residents left back in the 1970's. The village is now preserved and cared for by the national park service.

There are three buildings in the village that you can go in right now. Of the three, the most interesting by far is the old life saving station. There are exhibits on the first floor for you to look through, but the real treat is going up to the lookout on the third floor. From here you get a great view of the channel, the sound, and the whole of Pourtsmouth village.

Make sure you bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and bug repelent. In fact, bring *** loads of bug repelent. I've never been attacked like that before in my life (and I've been to the everglades in the summertime). The mosquitos are bad, but the green head flies are down right evil. They might not be so bad if you come out of season, but I'm not sure how easy it would be to get over to the island then.