Ocracoke Island, North Carolina is one of our happy places. We love the relaxed vibe, the shops and restaurants, the beautiful beaches and outdoor activities. Here are the best things to do on Ocracoke Island!
Ocracoke Island is about 13 miles long, and 12 of that is National Seashore, which means it’s pristine and largely empty. There are multiple beach access points, with the busiest one close to the village and the campground. But even then there’s plenty of space to spread out, swim, read a book, and go shelling.
Ditch the car and rent a golf cart while you’re on the island! It allows you to easily trek around the village and down back roads, and it makes parking a snap! There are a couple places to rent golf carts; our favorite is Wheelie Fun Cart Rentals.
Alternatively, you can rent bikes, walk, or hop the free tram that circulates the village from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day.
If you don’t want to bring your car onto the island (and you aren’t planning to visit the beach), reserve seats on the Ocracoke Express passenger ferry from Hatteras Island. It runs daily from late May to mid September. Round trip fares are $15/person for ages 4 and up. Find full schedules, tickets, and more info on the NC Department of Transportation site.
The island starts its day at Ocracoke Coffee Co., a beloved community coffee shop on Back Road. Stop in for a little caffeine, a smoothie, a bagel, or fresh-made baked goods.
For more java on the island, visit the Deju Brew Coffee Trailer in the community square!
One of our favorite stops on the island is Books to be Red. Owner Leslie Lanier and her team stock the perfect beach reading, books on local history, toys, crafts, and other goodies.
I’ve said it many times, but Eduardo’s makes the best breakfast burrito I’ve ever tasted. The Seafood Hot Mess is loaded with eggs, avocado, bacon, shrimp, scallops, potatoes, habanero salsa, and so much more. Even if you miss breakfast hours, Eduardo’s tacos, burritos, and other meals are the best.
Ocracoke is full of charming galleries, gift stores, and shops. Dedicate some time to visit them and look for local gifts, pottery, books, glasswork, paintings, and much more. Favorites of ours include Village Craftsmen, Over the Moon, Bella Fiore, and the Pirate’s Chest (although it’s very touristy).
Our favorite spot for oysters – both raw and fried – is Ocracoke Oyster Company, a lo-fi and easy-to-love spot on the main road. They also host live music in the evenings.
The Ocracoke Lighthouse may not be the tallest and most iconic along the Outer Banks, but the 75-foot white tower has been standing for more than 200 years. Its light can be seen over Silver Lake harbor in the evenings. The National Park Service is currently renovating the lighthouse and the adjoining buildings, so it will be open for climbing in the coming years! Learn more about it on the NPS website.
Captain Rob offers sunset cruises on his boat, the schooner Windfall II. They’re usually about $50/person and can accommodate up to six people. The cruise lasts about 1.5-2 hours and offers great views of the harbor, the shoreline, and (weather-permitting) sunset itself. And he’s full of great stories! Get more info and book cruises through Captain Rob’s website.
We love a good brewery, and 1718 Brewing is the island’s go-to. They brew up a nice mix of beers, from light lagers to IPAs, fig wheat beers (figs grow on the island!) and stouts. Not to be missed is the in-house food from Plum Pointe Kitchen.
Springer’s Point is a 120-acre public preserve with walking trails through dense forest, marshland, grasslands, and beach front. It’s free to access, although there’s no parking nearby, so plan to walk to the entrance. (A nearby church offers parking for a small donation.) The walk is pretty, but bring bug spray or wear long sleeves – the mosquitos can be intense!
The Springer’s Point trail leads you to a beach facing Teach’s Hole. It’s a quiet beach that’s great for exploring. This is famously where Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard, made his hideout and ultimately fought his final battle in 1718.
Dajio gets our vote as one of the best restaurants on the island. They’re open for lunch and dinner, include lots of patio space, and feature an accomplished menu of Southern favorites with modern twists.
The British Cemetery is a small plot that’s the final resting place of four sailors from the HMT Bedfordshire, which was sunk by a German U-boat in 1942. Because it’s considered a small piece of British soil, the Union Jack flies over the cemetery.
Zillie’s Island Pantry is a favorite spot to stock up on wine, beer, and snacks, or kick back on their covered patio with a glass of rosé or pint of beer.
There’s no shortage of good eateries on Ocracoke, from slightly upscale to decidedly casual. Jason’s, Howard’s Pub, and SmacNally’s are easy-to-love spots. Jason’s and Howard’s Pub sit near the northern end of the village. Howard’s Pub is a local landmark, while Jason’s is known for their seafood and their pizzas. SmacNally’s sits on the waterfront in the harbor, and offers draft beer and cocktails to go with sandwiches and other meals.
There are a handful of hotels around the village! We’ve enjoyed the Ocracoke Harbor Inn, but The Castle B&B is especially charming, an old home converted into a funny collection of rooms, with cute common areas, a rooftop deck, and homemade breakfast in the morning.
If you’re in the mood for a more upscale dinner, you can consider the Flying Melon or the Back Porch Restaurants. Both are very approachable while offering a slightly nicer night out on the island!
Across Ocracoke inlet lies Portsmouth Island. Portsmouth was once the main hub of the Outer Banks starting in the early 1700s, before subsequent hurricanes opened up inlets further north along the banks. The town slowly dwindled over the centuries, until the final two residents left in 1971.
Nowadays the island is maintained by the National Park Service, although you have to rely on private charters to get to the island. You can book full- or half-day trips that take you to the village and the beaches. The beach is very secluded and great for relaxing and shelling, while the village is essentially a ghost town of 15-20 buildings. It’s lightly maintained by NPS, meaning there’s usually a ranger on the island, there’s signage labeling the buildings, and there is a visitors center with a restroom, but otherwise it’s rough. There’s little cover from the sun, no AC, and the bugs can be particularly bad. So while it’s worth exploring, visitors need to be prepared with appropriate clothing, water, sunscreen, bug spray, and snacks.
To schedule a visit (boats leave from the docks at the Ocracoke community square), look up captains Rudy and Donald Austin, and give them a call.
