Traveling With Pets
Your dog’s going to love it here. Just follow some basic island rules so everyone has a good time.
Dogs are welcome on both the vehicle ferries and the passenger ferry, but they must stay leashed at all times. You can keep them in your car or bring them out on the ferry deck – just watch their paws because that deck gets hot as pavement. You don’t need special health certificates for North Carolina, but make sure your dog’s rabies vaccination is current and bring those records just in case.
ISLAND RULES
- Ocracoke has a leash law – dogs must be leashed in all public areas including streets, sidewalks, and parks, with leashes no longer than 6 feet.
- The same 6-foot leash rule applies on our beaches, which are part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
- Dogs aren’t allowed on the lifeguarded beach area, but we’ve got 13 miles of other coastline where they’re welcome year-round.
SAFETY STUFF
- Don’t let your dog drink salt water – it’ll make them sick.
- Watch for sand spurs in the dunes that can lodge in paws, and be careful around fishing areas where hooks are common hazards.
- Bring shade if you’re planning a long beach day, and always clean up after your pet.
WHERE DOGS ARE WELCOME
- Several restaurants allow dogs: Ocracoke Oyster Company, SmacNally’s, Dajio, and 1718 Brewing/Marauder’s Kitchen, Zillies.
- Others like Jason’s, The Flying Melon, Helio’s, Old Salt Sandwiches, and Eduardo’s have picnic tables where you can eat with your pup. Springer’s Point Preserve welcomes leashed dogs on the 0.8-mile nature trail, and the Ocracoke Lighthouse area allows dogs on the boardwalk to the base.
ACCOMMODATIONS
- Ocracoke Island Realty and Blue Heron Realty offer plenty of pet-friendly properties to rent, many with fenced yards.
- The Anchorage Inn, Blackbeard’s, and the Silver lake Inn are pet-friendly.
Pack like you’re traveling with family – bring their leash, water bowl, waste bags, favorite toys, and a blanket from home. Familiar smells help with travel anxiety. Add an extra tag with your rental house info in case your dog decides to explore on their own.
This isn’t the kind of place where your dog needs to stay locked up in a hotel room. It’s 16 miles of island where well-behaved, leashed dogs are genuinely welcome.