Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:Ocracoke Island, North Carolina
Visit some of the last pristine beaches left in America! Enjoy some real beach-time R&R in a laid-back atmosphere, with a bit of history to go along with it, on 16 miles of pristine beaches along the Atlantic. Accessible only by ferry, your kids will love the ride to Ocracoke Island, where over 85 percent of the land is located on part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore making it safe from urban or other development. The wide sand and clear waters of Ocracoke Island make for great swimming, while body surfing and shelling are popular as well. If you're an avid fisherman or angler, the Island beaches are actually open for you to drive on, and you're sure to enjoy a great day of surf fishing. For the widest beaches, head over to the northern end of Ocracoke, near the Hatteras ferry terminal, where you can enjoy the great wide open spaces.
There's lots for the history lovers to learn here about some of the island's most famous former residents, such as Edward Teach, (aka, Blackbeard the Pirate) who used Ocracoke as his hideout in 1718. There are also many stories of Civil War and World War II ocean battles that were conducted in this area. The island also offers charter fishing, bird-watching, and camping, as well as nearly 12 continuous miles of dunes and marsh lands that many birds, muskrats, rabbits, deer, and other wild animals call home. If you visit Ocracoke Island in the summer, you'll find that there's always something to do.
The fun doesn't end at the beach, though! The island has an active nightlife as well, for those who want a bit more than beach, and there are plenty of restaurants, shops, and cool spots where you can walk and bike. The summer ferry schedule begins around mid-May and lasts through Labor Day weekend. There are four departures from both Swan Quarter, on mainland Hyde County, and Ocracoke Island, double the offering available during the rest of the year.