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Pro
Small, Intimate & Historical Island
Con
Way too much tourism for that tiny island in peak season
In a nutshell
just go and check :-)
xdescendx Says: You can easily find a spot on the beach to make a small fire. It can be very ropmantic. Due to the lack of "cuttable" wood on the island, you'll have to buy a bundle of wood for about 6 bucks. You can't beat it :)
Visit the Visitor Center - National Seashore
Shihar Says: 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...
Shihar Says: 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...
Shihar Says: 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...
Hike a trail! Springers Point trail
Shihar Says: 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".
Hike a trail! Hammock Hill Trail
Shihar Says: 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...
Howard's Pub: You Have to go by the Pub!
JillPotter Says: This is a must go to place when you are on Ocracoke. There is something for everyone. You can get a great burger, fresh fish and seafood, fantastic chicken and steak meals, and everything in between. Howard's is open all year long and there is always a smile waiting for you...
Captain Ben's Restaurant: Fresh Seafood at it's finest !
initfrfn Says: Great fresh seafood. Nice atmosphere, great and quick service. We enjoyed dinner here twice during our stay in Ocracoke. Even the sides were fantastic. The baked potato was creamy as though it was mashed and even the limas were tasty. Nice variety of warm rolls and hush...
Ocracoke Pizza Company: The Best Pizza anywhere
MimiZepp Says: Best Pizza I've ever eaten. The ingredients are fresh and the crust comes two ways, thin & crusty. Hubby and I plowed thru a 16" Vegetarian and just could not believe how great it was. You can call in and pick up or have it delivered. Sorry no dining in but what does it...
Pony Island Restaurant: Great Pony Potatoes
NCCruiseGurl Says: Pony Potatoes are named after the ponies of Ocracoke, now penned at the northern end of the island. Vince has named his specialty dish after these equine animals. They are hash browns topped with salsa, melted cheddar cheese and sour cream. Man, are they good! Best served...
The Pelican Restaurant: If You Love Shrimp
NCCruiseGurl Says: Every afternoon between 3:00-5:00 PM you can get 15 cent shrimp at the Pelican. Eat in the courtyard with umbrellas over each table, you order your shrimp in counts of 25. A cool beer is just great since the shrimp are seasoned with Old Bay. In cooler weather, the bar is...
NCCruiseGurl Says: Ocracoke: a wonderful hiding place. To get there, you can fly, though not commercial flights or go by the North Carolina State Ferry System. If arriving from the northern end, the Hattaras ferry (free) will leave every 1/2 hour in the summer and on the hour in the winter...
Shihar Says: The only way to get to Ocracoke is by a ferry. There are several different places in NC to board the car ferry. We picked it up on the Hatteras inlet. The total time was 40 minutes one-way. In off season, the ferries run from this location every hour; peak season every half...
Shihar Says: One of the main reasons that I was looking forward to visiting Ocracoke is to hear the native dialect. I took to a Language and Culture class recently and was taught about this very unique accent. The dialect is partlyUK English, partly Northern US sounding. The speculated...
Shihar Says: Feeding the gulls and other wildlife will only contribute to annoying behavior. If animals associate humans as a food source that is when the raid tents, swoop down on people, etc.. Also,once they identify humans as a food source they loose the desire to find food on their...
phastphreddy Says: I've mentioned those three evil banes to humanity before, but it bears repeating here. The mosquito, the deer tick, and the green head fly are all out to get you. They know no fear, there are millions of them, and they never stop.Mosquito bites leave those itchy bumbs we all...
Shihar Says: If you had no idea that the pirate Blackbeard hung out here on Ocracoke, you will definately be educated by the overabundance of Blackbeard references throughout the island. There is even an entire museum dedicated to him.Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard, was a privateer that...
Shihar Says: You can do and rent any type of water activities of your hearts desire! The most interesting sport we saw was Kite Surfing. The outerbanks are definately a good place to kite surf because of the wind.We didn't get a picture of the surfers but now I wish I had!
Legless Louie the Laughing Gull
Shihar Says: Before going on this trip, I did some research on VT (of course). One VTer I go to for great tips is NC_Ziggy's travel pages. On his Ocracoke pages he mentions his encounter with a legless gull on the ferry to Ocracoke Island. Being a birder, I was intrigued but never...
phastphreddy Says: I know that my dad will never be the poster boy for outdoor sports, but I think this picture of him really sums up a kayaking trip we took. We paddled out of the harbor to some marshy cuts just south of the town. The weather was cool (for June, which means it’s still quite...
Plan a Ocracoke Island vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Ocracoke Island locals
Ok, here's the mystery! Of all, save one, of the seagulls during this passage (or ever!), every single one had black feet tucked underneath them as they soared...
4 members live in Ocracoke Island
Q: I'm from Taiwan and will be traveling to US (mainly staying in Durham)in Nov. I'm thinking of taking a trip to Ocracoke from...
A: As far as I can tell, you need a car to get to Ocracoke Island. There are ferries to the island from a few towns along the NC coast, but there doesn't seem to be any...
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After 6 hours and a night of driving through intermitten rain, we arrived at Swan Quarter, NC to begin our journey to the Outer Banks of North Carolina! Though hardly anyone slept prior to our...
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Ocracoke Island is a small gem of an island along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The majority of the 17 miles of the island is protected by the National Park Service. The Outerbanks is located...
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An Island where you can forget about the time
Ocracoke's first residents were members of the pre-Columbian Wocon tribe. Eventually the "W" was dropped, changed to "Okok", then "Ocrcok" and eventually "Ocracoke". sites recommended:...
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You have to take a ferry to get to Ocracoke Island, there are no bridges connecting it to the mainland. There are no chain restaurants on the island, and there’s not much in the way of “fast food”.......
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Located at the southernmost tip of North Carolina's Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and boasts almost 16 miles of pristine, undeveloped beaches. Accessible...
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