Voted the number one beach in America in 2022, our secluded, natural shoreline is protected as part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and operated by the National Park Service—and with 16 miles of beach, you can always find a spot away from the crowds, even in peak season.

Lifeguards are on duty daily between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  There’s ample parking, restrooms with outdoor showers and water fountains, a wheelchair-friendly beach access ramp, and a boardwalk to the beach. Need rental gear for the beach? Check out Ocracoke Beach Outfitters.

There are several ramps along Highway 12 that provide off-road vehicle access to the drivable sections of the beach. To drive on the beach, you will need to get either a 10-day or annual permit here

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National Park Service
Undeveloped beaches. Wild ponies. A historic lighthouse. It’s all here for you to explore and enjoy thanks to the care and protection of the National Park Service.
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Ocracoke Banker Ponies
On a 188-acre plot of land, behind a wooden fence, lives the herd of Ocracoke Banker Ponies, descendants of Spanish mustangs that survived a nearby shipwreck hundreds of years ago live contentedly in a 188-acre enclosure.
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Ocracoke Lighthouse
The oldest lighthouse still in operation in North Carolina and the second oldest in the nation. Hand-built in 1823, the lighthouse is a piece of history that is cherished by locals, Outer Bankers, North Carolinians, and lighthouse enthusiasts everywhere. 
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