3 miles wide and 16 miles long, with history and nature abound!

Things to Do

Ocracoke Island is the southern most inhabited island on the Outer Banks. On Ocracoke, you’ll find miles and miles of pristine, undeveloped—and, best of all, uncrowded—beaches for you to enjoy. And that’s just part of the appeal! Get back to nature, soak up the unique culture, and savor local cuisine.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Stretching more than 70 miles from Bodie Island to Ocracoke, Cape Hatteras National Seashore encompasses some of the most pristine natural beauty on the Outer Banks. This secluded beach on Ocracoke is considered one of the best in the country. Operated by the National Park Service, it's often quiet, with plenty of room to spread out -- and thanks to the nearby Gulf Stream, the water is warmer than in other parts of the Outer Banks. With limited development, the beaches attract nesting birds and sea turtles, and the water will be warm for surfing, boogie boarding, fishing, shelling, and all kinds of other activities.

If you have a 4WD vehicle (not an all-wheel drive) you can drive your car on the beach with a permit from the park service. Be sure to slack your tires and get your permit before going out. Non 4WD vehicles WILL get stuck in the sand. Be sure to slack your tires and get your permit before going out. Bonfire permits can also be obtained from the park service. Please check the link below for more information!

Please be aware of safety on the beach - rip currents are a common occurrence on Ocracoke. Learn how to recognize one and how to get out of one. The Lifeguard beach will not be manned at this time of year.

nps.gov/caha

Ocracoke Lighthouse

Small and sturdy, the Ocracoke Lighthouse stands just 75 feet tall, the shortest of North Carolina's oceanfront lighthouses. Its whitewashed exterior enables ships to see it by day as well as by night, when its stationary light shines up to 14 miles out to sea, inviting mariners to come rest in Ocracoke's peaceful harbor - and avoid the dangerous shoals of the Graveyard of the Atlantic.

The lighthouse is one of America's oldest and just celebrated it's 200th anniversary in 2023. Though the lighthouse is not open for climbing, the site can be visited daily.

Pony Pens

"Banker ponies" - which are actually descended from shipwrecked colonial Spanish mustangs - once roamed free on Ocracoke Island. The local boy scout troops and Park Service patrolmen used to tame a wild pony for themselves each year on the island, and you'll see evidence of this inside the Pony Island Restaurant, where historical photos of locals riding their ponies in the dunes are hung.

To protect them from vehicles on Highway 12, 188 acres of soundside beach and marsh were enclosed in 1959, and the ponies have been cared for by the National Park Service ever since. A viewing platform overlooks their paddock and stables, and the 15 or so horses that call the island home.

As a fun supplemental educational activity for the kids, we recommend reading the children's book series "Misty of Chincoteague" to learn more about the pony herds up and down the Outer Banks.

Ocracoke Village

The heart of the island, Ocracoke Village is right on the waterfront of the Silver Lake Harbor and is full of quaint motels, historic inns, and restaurants serving up seafood right off the boat. Our shops offer an eclectic mix of unique, local items, including pottery and hand-carved one-of-a-kind duck decoys. We’ve got art galleries, groceries, and plenty of gifts; beer, bait, and tackle, too. You won't find any kind of chain establishment here - everything is a small business locally owned. Sandy back roads like historic Howard Street take wanderers deeper into the village of Ocracoke, where canopies of live oaks can provide a respite from the early fall sun.

Some of our favorite places include the local bookstore, Books to be Red; the restaurant SmacNally's where you can see local charters and fisherman bring in and clean their catch on the harbor around sunset; 1718 Brewery (our go-tos are The Notorious F.I.G., Happi Jaq, and Pretty Work); Native Seafood, where you can snag the freshest catch of the day to cook back at home, or get a pre-cooked meal from our caterer herself!; the Slushy Stand, a classic beach town ice cream spot; the Sweet Tooth and Fig Tree Deli, for a sample of the locally made fig cake and sandwiches for the beach (this is also a candy store for the kids!); the Pony Island restaurant for breakfast (and post wedding morning biscuits & coffee); the Flying Melon restaurant for a nicer, upscale dinner; Over the Moon gift shop for eclectic and beautiful gifts; Ride the Wind surf shop for the truly beach themed items and watersports needs (including kayak rentals and an awesome clothing line); Thai Moon restaurant for the best crab fried rice you'll ever eat; and of course, the Sunglass Shop - owned by Haley's parents, with sunglasses and pieces of art from Nic and Haley's small business, Mossick & Co.!

The Atlantic Ocean & The Pamlico Sound

Head on out with a local to explore the bounty of the sea and sound! 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 season. The sound side of the island is home to one of the largest estuary systems in North America, offering excellent opportunities—including kayaking, paddleboarding, clamming, and more.

A North Carolina saltwater fishing license is required for all anglers age 16 and older, but once obtained, it allows you to fish any beach along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Apply for a fishing license through the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Some of our recommendations for charter captains, activities, and rentals include:

Marcus Lawson, Fish Camp Charters - clamming, inshore fishing

Spencer Gaskins, SouthWind Charters - inshore fishing

Ernest Doshier, Gecko Sportfishing - offshore fishing

Restless Native - boat rentals

The Schooner Windfall II - sunset sailing cruises

Ride the Wind Surf Shop - kayak/SUP rentals, kayaking tours, surf lessons, and SUP yoga

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 never return. The last residents remained until the early 1970s, and shortly after, the village fell under the care of the National Park Service and the Friends of Portsmouth Island.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, many of the buildings on Portsmouth Island have been restored. Visitors can explore the church, Coast Guard station, schoolhouse, and post office for a glimpse into old island life. You can peek into the windows of some of the old homes where the interiors look as if villagers went to run errands and never returned.

There are no regular ferries over to Portsmouth, and we wouldn't recommend trying to kayak over. Your best bet is by boat, either personal, rented, or chartered with Wade Austin of Portsmouth Island Adventures.

Restrooms are available, but potable water and food are not. Visitors are encouraged to bring plenty of water and snacks, plus sunscreen and insect repellent.