Getting Around
Cars are allowed on Ocracoke Island, but parking can be limited. So, just unpack your car and let it rest. There are more fun ways to get around the island.
WALK
The village is about a mile in any direction and entirely walkable, even the outskirts. If you’d like a longer walk with different scenery, two miles on a wide, paved path will get you to the Lifeguard Beach.
BIKE
Bring one from home or rent one here. Bikes are a great way to get around the island, even if you haven’t ridden one in years. All main byways in the village are well-paved and flat, perfect for leisurely cruising. Most establishments have bike racks out front, including the parking lot at the Lifeguard Beach.
Download a bike map of the island here.
MOTOR
Golf carts are a much-enjoyed mode of transport on wheels. Rentals are easy to find and affordable given how much you’ll use them. The speed limit in the village is 20 mph—perfect for golf carts. We only ask that you drive as slow and steady as island life; our streets are filled with our families, our pets, pedestrians, tourists like yourselves, and a fair number of newts and other life forms.
TRAM
Hop on the free tram service that circles the village. The open-air tram loops around in 30-minute intervals from 10:30 in the morning to 8 at night, from Memorial to Labor Day. There are nine convenient tram stops easily located by the tall signs marked “Tram Stop.”
OFF-ROAD
Off-road vehicles are permitted on the beach. You can bring one from home or rent one here. A permit is required for all beach driving and can be obtained online through the Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV permit page.
