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Landlubbers
Ultimate Off-Season Ocracoke Guide During your stay on Ocracoke Island, we wholeheartedly invite you to relax and enjoy the essence of true island living. Savor the slower pace. Enjoy the sun, the breeze and the taste of salt air. Take advantage of the spectacular views by catching both our gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. Tap into our restful way of life and remember ... YOU'RE HERE TO UNWIND!!
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As
much as we try to stay current, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of
this information. Please contact individuals or organizations directly
for off-season hours and updates and please let
us know if you find changes.
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Basketball
- Along the Back Road, next to the Ocracoke School and Library, are
a basketball court and playground that may be used after school hours.
Bring your own ball. |
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Beach
Bonfire - Evenings on the beach provide
wonderful opportunities for sitting around a bonfire to toast marshmallows,
share ghost stories or even sing. If you're really lucky, you might
even glimpse the spectacular sight of an occasional glow of phosphorous
visible in the waves breaking on shore during a dark night. Sometimes
even crabs glow eerily. But you must follow National Park Service
(NPS) regulations for building fires. Although bonfire permits are
not required, Cape Hatteras National Seashore ground (pit) fires are
permitted on the beach only below the high tide line and at least
100 ft. from grasses or dunes. They must be attended by an adult and
be completely extinguished with water (not sand) before leaving the
site.
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Beach Exploration - In 1953, Cape Hatteras became the first National Seashore in the United States. Since then, all but 1,000 Ocracoke Village acres have been owned by the NPS and protected from development. The remainder of the island's Pamlico soundside marshes and Atlantic white sand beaches afford some of the best shore exploration in the U.S. Boardwalks over the dunes and plenty of off-road parking allow easy access to beachfront for walking. If you have an off-road vehicle, you may explore certain sections of the park in your vehicle. All vehicles used in the park, including those on the beach, must have a current vehicle registration, license tag and an operator with a valid driver's license. Operation of a vehicle off paved roads is permitted only on marked routes or on designated portions of the beach. Metal detectors and fireworks are prohibited throughout the park. And, just in
case you get stuck ... beach towing is provided by Jesse Spencer
Auto Repair & Service (252)928-6160 or (252)928-8111. |
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Birding
- Nearly 400 species of birds have been sighted within Cape Hatteras
National Seashore and its surrounding waters. This impressive number
is due to several factors: a location on the Eastern Flyway, varied
habitats and strong winds and storms that often bring exhausted vagrants
to our shores. Birding is always exciting on Ocracoke, though the
greatest variety of species occurs during spring and fall migrations.
Watch for migratory shorebirds at inlet tidal flats. Land bird migration
in the fall can be good, but spotty, with best observations occurring
in the maritime woods. Ocracoke is a wintering ground for tundra swans,
Canadian geese and over 25 species of ducks. We've found both the
National Parks Service Visitor's Center and the Ocracoke library to
be excellent resources for birders.
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Blackbeard
the Pirate - If you pass Ocracoke Inlet
aboard the Cedar Island Ferry, you can almost imagine the furious
sea battle that was waged there in 1718 when Lt. Robert Maynard took
on Blackbeard the pirate. After the smoke cleared and Blackbeard (Edward
Teach) was reportedly found with five bullet holes and twenty-five
stab wounds, Maynard’s sailors put Blackbeard’s head on
their bowsprit marking an end to the outlaw's 18-month spree of terrorism
along the North Carolina coast. Ocracoke is filled with Blackbeard
references. Be sure to check out the interesting Teach's Hole Blackbeard
Exhibit and Pirate Specialty Shop along the Back Road. The
exhibit features a life-size recreation of Blackbeard in full battle
dress, a weapons display, old bottles, original art, woodcuts of Blackbeard,
old coin and pirate flag displays and an eight minute documentary
about Blackbeard's death at Ocracoke. Call (252)928-1718 for
spring and fall hours, they're closed during the winter. |
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Boating/Charters - A wide range of boating opportunities exist around the harbor. All-day chartered fishing expeditions, boat rentals, Portsmouth Island tours (see below), sunset cruises and sailing adventures can be arranged. Just stroll the harbor and ask for particulars. Our sport fishing favorites are Capt. Reid Robinson's Devereaux (252)921-0120 or (252)928-5331, Capt. R.T. "Ronnie" O'Neal Jr.'s Miss Kathleen (800)305-1472 or (252)928-4841, Capt. David Nagel's Drum Stick (252)928-5351 or (252)473-0106 and Capt. James Winch's Restless (252)928-7645. Restless Native Boat Rentals (252)928-1421 or (252)921-0011 offer 16-24' Carolina Skiffs with shade tops for fishing or sightseeing expeditions at off-season prices. Love sailing? Call the reproduction Schooner Windfall for reservations at (252)928-SAIL. And, if you're looking for a individualized shelling, sightseeing, sunset or shallow water swimming tour, call Capt. Sarah Searight at (252)921-0169. For the lucky
ones with their own boat, a boat launching ramp is located at the
parking lot near Silver Lake harbor. |
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British
Cemetery - From January through July 1942,
in what was known as "Torpedo Alley," German U-boats sank
397 ships filled with food, supplies, and oil in U. S. Atlantic waters
and killed 5,000 people -- a majority of whom were civilians and merchant
marines. With initial US naval efforts concentrated in the Pacific,
only one ship was sent to patrol the southeast coast. To protect American
lives and vital supplies bound for England, Churchill sent a flotilla
of anti-submarine craft to patrol Atlantic shipping lanes. One such
ship, the H.M.S. Bedfordshire, was torpedoed by a U-boat 40 miles
off Cape Lookout on May 11, 1942. All hands were lost. The bodies
of four sailors washed ashore on Ocracoke. Donating their services
and land for a British Cemetery, the people of Ocracoke buried the
dead. The tiny plot of land has been forever ceded to England and
is maintained by the Ocracoke Coast Guard. A ceremony honoring the
sailors, with representatives from the British Royal Navy and the
US Coast Guard, is held at the cemetery each May.
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Bulletin
Boards - Looking for the inside "scoop"
about what's happening on the island? Check local bulletin boards
at the Community Store (on the harbor), the Variety Store (along Hwy.
12) and the Post Office (along Hwy. 12). You'll find notices about
everything from dances to yard sales to potluck dinners.
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Catch
of the Day Viewing - Around 4:00 p.m., when
the charter boats return from a long day's fishing expedition, islanders
and visitors alike often line up at the docks to view the days catch,
such as tuna, wahoo and dolphin (not the bottle-nosed kind). The boats
also catch billfish such as blue and white marlin and sailfish, but
release most as a conservation measure. Look for the white and blue
flags on the boats.
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Concierge
Services - Looking for someone to pick up groceries, schedule
a fishing charter, order flowers or run an errand? Call Ocracoke Occasions
(252) 928-3401 or Island Concierge (252) 928-6655.
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Crabbing
- Did you know that with as little as a piece of string, a weight,
and a raw chicken neck, you can catch your own dinner? Read our
"Crabbing Regulations"
page containing state regulations and tips on how to catch, how
to identify and how to cook. |
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Dining
- Although many local restaurants close for part of the winter,
visitors are never without choices. A few of our year-round favorites
include:
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Fishing
- From float, to surf, to deep-sea, Ocracoke is a fishing dream! With
too many resources to list here, we suggest that you walk around Silver
Lake harbor to check out everything from bait shops to boats. To get
the scoop on current fishing conditions and suggested tackle, try
stopping by Tradewinds Bait& Tackle Shop (252)928-5491.
Better yet, visit them online before you pack for the trip at http://www.fishtradewinds.com.
Their site is a great place to study fish identification, check derby
leaders and peruse the daily fishing report archive.
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Flightseeing
- The best way to appreciate the uniqueness of Ocracoke's position
in the Atlantic is undoubtedly by air. Fly over Ocracoke, Portsmouth
and the Hatteras Lighthouse for fun or try your hand at aerial photography
or flying lessons. Pelican also offers "Islander Service"
from major airports and flying lessons. Contact Pelican Airways at
(888)7PELICAN or (252)928-1661.
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Hammock
Hills Nature Trail - Walking the Hammock
Hills Nature Trail will wind you through several ecosystems —
dunes, salt marsh and low maritime forests. Plaques along the .75-mile
(1.2-kilometers) path provide notes on pine forest and wetlands ecology
and a platform provides the opportunity to view long-legged birds
dabbling in the salt marsh edging Pamlico Sound. The trail is along
Highway 12 north of the village opposite the campground.
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Internet
Access/Library - Shared with the local school,
library hours vary according to school activities and are posted on
the front door. Internet is available for public use. The library's
onsite collection includes Civil War, WWII, Ocracoke family history
and pirate resources. Collection information is available online at
http://www.bhmlib.org/bhm/Ocracoke.htm (252)928-4436.
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Kayaking
- Kayak ecotours in the Pamlico Sound and surrounding estuarine waters
give paddlers the opportunity to learn about the fragile plant and
animal life that inhabits our remote islands. Ride the Wind (252)928-6311,
originators of Kayak Ecotours on the Outer Banks, have been offering
year round tours since the mid 80s. Terns, pelicans, egrets, herons,
many species of fish and porpoises are just some of the wildlife that
paddlers may see on their tour through the waterways. Ride the Wind
also provides a wide range of kayak rentals for anyone wanting to
explore on their own. Tours may also be arranged by native Michael
O'Neal of Ocracoke Adventures (252)928-7873.
A convenient neighborhood kayak/canoe water access is located at the
end of the street opposite the driveways of our cottages if you bring
your own.
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Kite
Flying - Take stunt kite flying lessons or
choose one of the many beautiful kites available at Kitty Hawk Kites
on Silver Lake (252)928-4563. Everyone is a child at heart
when the wind is blowing and a colorful kite is sailing through the
air. Single line and quad line kites are also available for the more
experienced kite enthusiast.
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Lighthouse
- The 1823 Ocracoke light is the second oldest operating lighthouse
in the nation. Although the lighthouse is not open for climbing, the
site can be visited daily. Read about the history
of the light.
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Massage
- Are you in the mood to just really pamper yourself or sore from
reeling in so many fish? Try a relaxing massage right around the corner
from our cottages at Ocracoke Massage (252)928-5801. Or, if
you want to go all out, order a massage, facial, body treatment and
yoga from Deep Blue Day Spa (252)928-0182.
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Music - Music abounds on the island if you know where to look. Deepwater Theatre on School Road offers live performances by Ocracoke's own Molasses Creek acoustic folk-fusion band and the Ocrafolk Opry company among others. Check their porch or local bulletin boards for schedules. Howards Pub and the Pelican also feature occasional live music year round. Violinist Cheryl
Roberts (252)928-7143, local folk duo Bill & Libby Hicks
(252)928-4235, pianist Jamie Tunnell (252) 928-2679
and the Ocracoke Rockers (252) 918-4751 are available to
play for special events. |
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News
of the Island - If you really want to get a
feel for year-round island life, we suggest that you pay a visit to
the fine web site of the Village Craftsmen. Their newsletters provide
a delightful insight into true Ocracoke living. You can locate them
at: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news.htm. In addition, the free
Ocracoke Observer is published locally and available in shops
around the village.
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Ocracoke
Preservation Society Museum - Plan a visit
to the museum (252)928-7375 from 10-4:00 between Easter and
Thanksgiving to view historical exhibits and listen to videos and
tapes of old-timers speaking in island brogue. Typified by phrases
like “hoi toide,” the dialect evolved from early 18th-century
English coupled with southern speech patterns. Actually, you can still
hear snatches of it from natives around the village.
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Photography
- Even if you've never held a camera, don't miss this opportunity
to impress your friends back home with our wonderful island scenery.
With just a few Vacation
Photography Tips, you can capture the basic essence of island
photography even with a disposable camera. And, have you ever thought
about having a family portrait made on the beach? If you'd like
to hire a gifted professional to record a special occasion (wedding,
anniversary, family get-together, holiday gift) call artist/photographer
Ann Ehringhaus at (252)928-1311.
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Picnicking
- Are you seeking a picnic location with tables or looking for someone
to pack your picnic for you? Picnic sites that offer tables include
the pony pen viewing area and opposite beach access (Hwy. 12), the
NPS campground (Hwy. 12) and the boat launch area and Visitor's
Center park near the Silver Lake harbor. If you don't mind dining
from your own portable chairs or a beach towel on the sand, try
the sound access via Robbie's Way or any beach access area. See
our Take-out section for ready-to-eats. |
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Ponies
- The Ocracoke Wild Banker Ponies
can be seen from a Hwy. 12 roadside pasture area about 5 miles north
of the village. The 100+ acre site includes a sturdy boardwalk through
a section of scenic maritime forest that leads to a viewing platform
with a spectacular view of pastures and sound. Be sure to take your
camera!
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Portsmouth
Island Tours - Only a twenty-minute boat
ride from Ocracoke's Silver Lake Harbor lies Portsmouth
Island, part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. The deserted
settlement was once a thriving port town with 685 residents in 1860.
Check with the National Parks Service (252)928-4531 for select
building opening/closure dates. Portsmouth Island ATV Excursions (252)928-4484
provide guided ATV tours of the island and Austin boat tours (252)928-4361
or (252)928-5431 provide drop-off tours to and from the island
for shelling, fishing, bird watching and sightseeing. |
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Sand
Castle Construction - Are you serious
about your turret building or a sand pile beginner? Read our Castle
Tips section for professional tool selection and building trade
secrets. Then, come prepared to construct an Ocracoke skyscraper!
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Scuba
Diving - Cooler than waters off the Florida
Keys and the Caribbean Islands, offshore areas along the Outer Banks
offer unique scuba-diving experiences in "The Graveyard of the
Atlantic." The area owes its moniker to the more than 1,500 shipwrecks
(at least 200 named and identified) whose remains inhabit the region's
ocean floor. Experienced divers enjoy the challenge of unpredictable
currents and always seem to find something new to explore beneath
the ocean's surface. From 17th-century schooners to World War II submarines,
wreckage lies at a variety of depths, in almost every imaginable condition.
Some underwater archaeological shipwreck sites are federally protected
and can be visited but not touched. The dive season generally runs
May 1 through October 31. Contact Ocracoke Divers & Marine Supply
(252)928-1471 for more information.
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Shopping - Many of Ocracoke's tiny streets are home to local artists and entrepreneurs with cottage industries. Check out some of our favorites, then seek your own!
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Sunrise/Sunset
Viewing - Are you looking for the best vantage
point? We recommend the South Point of the National Seashore for either
sunrises or sunsets if you have a 4x4. If not, any beach facing the
Atlantic will provide you with a sunrise vantage point while the village
harbor or Robbie's Way sound access are great spots to view sunsets.
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Surfing - The Outer Banks has been the surfing center of the East Coast since the late 60’s. Unrestricted beaches and lots of waves are enhanced by beach breaks created by shifting sandbars. Beginning in 2000, Ocracoke H.S. became the only school east of the Mississippi to conduct a surfing class. We don't find that unusual since surfing is as much of a way of life here on Ocracoke as bicycles or fishing vessels. Surfing is prohibited only within the designated beach swimming area just south of the campground. Bob, at Ride
the Wind Surf & Kayak, says, "I surf every morning
of the year and invite anyone to join me." Give him a call
at (252)928-6311 for location and time to meet. Then, be
sure to check out Ride the Wind for all your surfing needs. |
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Swimming
- The ocean water is often warm enough for swimming well into the
autumn months. However, the single lifeguard-attended beach on Ocracoke
(just south of the campground along Hwy 12) is only staffed from early
June to late August. Please read our Swimming
Tips section for safe fun.
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Take-Out
- Other than the full-service restaurants that remain open year-round,
some of our favorite to-go sources include the Cat Ridge Deli (252)928-3354
at the back counter of Styron's Store on Lighthouse Rd. (get
there before 4:00), Jason's (252)928-3434 on Hwy. 12 and Spencer's
Market Thai Moon (252)928-5100 on School Road. And ... believe
it or not ... the Ocracoke Station (252)928-2639 along Hwy.
12 provides great hot winter lunch specials.
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Ghost &
Historic Walking Tours - Ocracoke native Philip
Howard is a long-time collector of island stories who traces his ancestry
back eight generations to William Howard, Blackbeard’s quartermaster
& colonial owner of Ocracoke Island. Contact Howard at the Village
Craftsmen (252)928-5541 to schedule one of his 'Round Creek
or Down Point tours. Walking Tour
& Interpretative Trail - In a comprehensive paperback by Jenny
Scarborough, visitors are led on a 1.7 mile walking tour that can
be leisurely accomplished in 2 hours. But, we must warn you ... there
are lots of interesting distractions along the way to lengthen your
journey! In addition, Hyde County has produced a free trail pamphlet
that features a few highlights of the island. Check for Scarborough's
book and the Hyde County pamphlet at the National Parks Service Visitors
Center by Silver Lake. |
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Waterfowl
Hunting - To hunt legally at Cape Hatteras
National Seashore, you must have on your person a valid North Carolina
hunting license with North Carolina waterfowl privilege and a Federal
Duck Stamp. Hunting is permitted on the Pamlico Sound side of Highway
12, within 250 feet of the shoreline excluding Ocracoke Village,
Hammock Hills Nature Trail and the posted area near the Ocracoke Pony
Pasture. Contact the National Parks Service for a complete list of
hunting regulations. Several guides are available on the island. Try
Earl Gaskins and Kenneth Tillett of Pamlico Sound Waterfowl Hunting
(252)928-2504,fourth generation native guide Wade Austin (252)928-7170
for curtain blind hunting or R.T. "Ronnie" O'Neal, Jr. at
(800)305-1472 or (252)928-4841.
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Whale
Watching - Whale watching is an exciting,
albeit elusive, pursuit. There are more species of whales passing
by the coast of North Carolina than anywhere in eastern North America.
Groups of small-to-medium-toothed whales make passage anywhere from
near offshore to within sight of the beach. Deeper offshore is the
migration path for killer and blue whales. The three largest species
are the sperm whale, humpback, and fin whale. The sperm whales make
their way past our coast in the springtime. In the winter you may
see both humpback and fin whales. The humpbacks are particularly visible
from the shore. They can be seen breaching and lunge feeding. In the
latter action, the whale blows a bubble net to corral fish, then leaps
through it open-mouthed to gulp everything in its path. Pilot whales
can often be seen offshore year-round. Even the most endangered species,
the Northern Right whale, was identified while scratching its head
on an Outer Banks sandbar. Whether sitting on the beach with binoculars
or viewing the creatures from an offshore charter boat, whale watching
is an awe-inspiring pastime. Don't miss the whale skull outside the
NPS Visitors Center.
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Check with us for Off-Season "Specials" and weekend rates! |
Contact
us by phone or message. (704)872-7079 |
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