Getting Ready

Shops

Our shops and galleries run the full gamut—whether you’re looking for the iconic vacation tee shirt, fine jewelry, a good beach read or an original painting; our arts and crafts […]

Getting Here

Seasonal Openings

Food & Drink: 1718 Brewing Ocracoke: Open daily noon – 9pm. The Back Porch: Open Wednesday – Saturday 5pm – 9pm. Dajio: Open daily 11am-9pm for lunch and dinner, bar […]

Ocracoke Island History

During the early 1700s, Ocracoke Island sat amid a bustling trade route. Larger vessels were unable to navigate the shallow Pamlico Sound, and the island became a settlement for skilled sailors […]

Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum

Located in a restored 1900s-era house, the Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum is a non-profit organization that works to preserve the island’s unique history and rich culture. Here, you can find […]

Wild Banker Ponies

Several hundreds of years ago, a shipwreck just offshore left a herd of Spanish mustangs stranded on Ocracoke Island. Their descendants still thrive here today. Physically, the Ocracoke ponies are […]

Island Brogue

“Hoi Toider,” as the Ocracoke Brogue is also known, is a dialect of American English spoken only on remote islands in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The unique accent and vocabulary, […]

British Cemetery

During World War II, German submarines lurked right off Ocracoke Island’s shores. In 1942, the British Royal Navy sent 24 armed trawlers to assist the U.S. Navy in defending our […]

Ocracoke Working Watermen’s Exhibit

In 2006, the watermen on Ocracoke Island banded together to save their livelihood. The island’s last fish house had been put up for sale, which meant there was no access […]

U.S. Navy Beach Jumpers Memorial

In the years leading up to, during, and after World War II, Ocracoke Island was home to a top secret, advanced amphibious training base for a highly classified U.S. Navy […]

Fort Ocracoke Civil War Memorial

During the Civil War, nearby Beacon Island was home to a Confederate fort built on the site of a fort from the War of 1812. Construction on Fort Ocracoke began […]

Restaurants and Brewery

In a traditional fishing village, you can be certain seafood is a highlight of your dining experience, including locally sourced Spanish mackerel, mahi-mahi, drum and flounder, as well as shellfish […]

Food Trucks

Our food trucks are a cherished source of year-round sustenance on Ocracoke.  Whether you’re craving biscuits, breakfast burritos, cheeseburgers or shrimp tacos—we’ve got the perfect hook-up for a meal on […]

Breakfast and Coffee

Breakfast on Ocracoke Island can be as mean or lean, and fast or slow as you like.  You can grab a smoothie, yogurt, oats or fresh fruit on your way […]

Sweets and Treats

In addition to the scrumptious dessert menu offerings at our local restaurants, you can find a variety of sweet treats throughout Ocracoke village. We’re famous for our figs, so trying […]

Seafood Markets and Grocery

If you’re shopping for the freshest catch, visit the Ocracoke Seafood Company or Native Seafood, where our local fishermen and women, clammers, crabbers, and oyster catchers sell their daily hauls. […]

Hotels

Your Ocracoke Island experience starts with a home away from home. Are you looking for stunning harbor views? Or do you prefer to “live among the locals”, enjoying porch life […]

Bed and Breakfasts

Bed and breakfasts are as unique as their owners, and the ones on Ocracoke Island are certainly no different. Our island families play host at B&Bs ranging from charming, Southern […]

Campgrounds

There are several options for RV and tent camping on Ocracoke Island. Reservations are strongly recommended for all, especially during the peak season. The National Park Service offers year-round camping […]

Realties

Ocracoke Island realtors can offer personalized lodging selection beyond compare. Tell them what you’re looking for—waterfront views or nestled in a neighborhood?   A private pool or pet-friendly accommodations? These island […]

Pet Friendly

There are literally hundreds of pet-friendly accommodations on Ocracoke Island, ranging from vacation rentals and cottages to campgrounds and hotels. Just be sure to check before bringing your pet on […]

Rental Cottages

Ocracoke Island has a wide variety of rental cottages that are perfect for families and groups of friends who want to keep everyone under the same roof while enjoying a […]

Spa and Wellness

Flow with a local instructor in an outdoor yoga class or find your grace atop a paddle board.  Enjoy a deep tissue massage or immerse yourself in a sound bath. […]

Getting Around

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Entertainment

With Covid-19 restrictions lifted, our entertainment scene is bouncing back.  Once again, you can find live music playing most evenings at our restaurants, bars and festivals.  Our annual arts and […]

Services

Fishing

The surf side of Ocracoke Island lies just 12 miles away from the Gulf Stream, providing easy access to offshore big game spots, as well as a long surf fishing […]

Watersports

Ocracoke Island’s spacious and boundless beaches are ideal for surfing and kitesurfing, offering a safe and easy place for beginners and novices who want to get away from crowded beaches. […]

Biking

Ocracoke Island’s terrain is comfortably flat with minimal hills, which makes for an easy and enjoyable ride no matter how much experience you have. Single-speed beach cruiser bikes with coaster […]

Kayaking and Paddle Boarding

Ocracoke Island is an optimal location for safe and easy kayaking or paddle boarding in the smooth, shallow waters of the Pamlico Sound. You can paddle through beautiful marsh-lined estuaries […]

Birdwatching

Ocracoke Island is a birdwatcher’s dream.  More than 400 species have been observed here, including rarities blown in from major storms. Much like the people on the island, some birds are year-round […]

Marinas

Because Ocracoke Island is only accessible by boat or plane, marinas are a given here. We have several options to choose from depending on boat size and what you’re looking […]

Camping

There are several options for RV and tent camping on Ocracoke Island. Reservations are strongly recommended for all, especially during the peak season.  The National Park Service offers year-round camping […]

Shelling

Sixteen miles of undeveloped shoreline delivers some fantastic shelling. Lucky shellers with patience and a good eye can find everything from sand dollars and Scotch Bonnets to seahorses and shark’s […]

Beaches

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 […]

Waterfowl Hunting

Located on the Atlantic fly way, the waters around Ocracoke Island are a haven for migrating waterfowl, including brant, red heads, widgeons, pintails, canvasbacks, and teal. Since the late 1880s, […]

National Park Service

The majority of Ocracoke Island is designated as part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and is federally protected, which is why the island can boast miles of undeveloped, protected […]

Ocracoke Banker Ponies

Several hundreds of years ago, a shipwreck just offshore left a herd of Spanish mustangs stranded on Ocracoke Island. Their descendants still thrive here today. These ponies are a rare […]

Ocracoke Lighthouse

Built by hand in 1823, the Ocracoke Lighthouse celebrated its 200th birthday in 2023! It is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in North Carolina and the second oldest in the […]

Springer’s Point Nature Preserve

This 122-acre nature preserve is open to the public and includes a 0.8-mile nature trail that winds through a maritime forest, salt marsh, and wet grasslands before ending at a […]

Hammock Hills Nature Trail

Hammock Hills nature trail is a ¾ mile loop that will have you traversing through a rolling and beautiful pine-laden forest, offering an up-close experience with a diverse collection of […]

Portsmouth Island

Established in 1753, Portsmouth Island was one of largest settlements along the Outer Banks, but changing shipping routes, Civil War, and a lagging economy caused many people to leave and […]