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Landlubbers
Ultimate Off-Season
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Note: As much as we try to stay current, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of our "things to see and do" information. Please contact individuals or organizations directly for off-season hours and updates and please let us know if you discover 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. Check National Park Service
(NPS) regulations for open fires.
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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 a 4x4 off-road vehicle, you may explore certain sections of the park in your vehicle. Operation of a vehicle off paved roads is permitted only on marked routes or on designated portions of the beach. Check with the NPS for current rules. Metal detectors and fireworks are prohibited. In case you get stuck ... beach towing is provided by Jesse Spencer Auto Repair & Service 252-928-6160 or 252-928-8111. Need beach umbrellas, chairs, etc? Try Beach Outfitters 252-928-6261 at Ocracoke Realty along Hwy. 12. |
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Bicycle & Golf Cart & Scooter Rentals - Undoubtedly the best way to get around Ocracoke, bicycles, scooters or golf carts are not only fun to use but much easier to navigate along narrow streets and in parking lots. Note: golf carts are restricted to use within village limits only.
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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 a location on the Eastern Flyway, varied
habitats and strong winds and storms that often bring exhausted vagrants
to our shores. While birding is always exciting on Ocracoke, the
greatest variety of species occurs during spring and fall migrations.
Watch for migratory shorebirds at inlet tidal flats. 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. Call 252-928-4361 for boat birding expeditions with the Austins.
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Blackbeard
Museum - In 1718, Lt. Robert Maynard took
on Blackbeard the pirate. After the smoke cleared and Blackbeard (aka 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 museum along Hwy 12 for a life-size recreation of Blackbeard in full battle
dress, model ship, weapons display, original art, artifacts and an eight-minute documentary. Call 252-928-1718 for
spring and fall hours, they're closed in winter. |
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Boating & Charters - A wide range of boating opportunities exist around the harbor. All-day chartered fishing expeditions, guided tours, boat rentals, Portsmouth Island tours (see Portsmouth section), sunset cruises and sailing adventures can be arranged. Just stroll the harbor and ask for particulars.
Have your own boat? A public boat launching ramp is located in the
village 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 and 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 in a tiny plot of land that has been forever ceded to England and
is maintained by the Ocracoke Coast Guard..
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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 and potluck dinners to yoga.
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Clamming
- Learn from an expert. Join Capt. Ryan O'Neal aboard his Tarheel 252-928-4841 or 252-928-8064. Also available for
flounder giggin', light tackle fishing and night trips in the Pamlico
Sound.
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Community
Center - The community building 252-928-3162 is located on Hwy. 12 across from the Variety Store.
Activities may include anything from Bingo to dancing to exercise
to musical performances. Check local bulletin boards or sign out
front for events. Available for group events. |
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Concierge Services & Event Planning - Looking for someone to pick up groceries, schedule a fishing charter, order flowers or plan a wedding or other event?
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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. Yum! |
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Dining - Although most local restaurants close for at least part of the winter, visitors are never without a few dining choices. Call first!
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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 to charters or see our Boating & Charters section above. 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 www.fishtradewinds.com.
Their web site is a great place to study fish identification, check derby
leaders and peruse the daily fishing report archive. |
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Fitness - Need exercise? Free workouts at the Ocracoke Community Center, Hwy. 12, are held Monday, Wednesday & Friday, usually from 8-9 am during the off-season.. Aerobics, toning, strength building & more. Equipment provided. Or, for year-round yoga, call Amy Hilton at 252-921-0182. |
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Flightseeing - The best way to appreciate the uniqueness of Ocracoke's position in the Atlantic is undoubtedly by air. Gain a new perspective of Ocracoke & the Outer Banks, view schools of fish, dolphins, sea turtles, whales, sharks & shipwrecks or try your hand at aerial photography.
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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. Also see Springer's Point Nature Preserve.
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Horseshoes
- Beside our J.L. Seagull cottage, you'll find a set of posts in
the ground. Look on the lower level of the cottage for horseshoes. |
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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 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. Call ahead for winter hours. 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 - Choose your favorite from one of the many beautiful kites available at Kitty Hawk Kites, Hwy 12 on Silver Lake Harbor 252-928-4563. Everyone is a child at heart
when the wind is blowing and a colorful kite is sailing. Single line and quad line kites are available for the more
experienced kite enthusiast. Closed during winter.
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Library - Shared with Ocracoke School and located along Back Road,
Ocracoke Library hours vary according to school activities and are posted on
the front door. The library's
onsite collection includes Civil War, WWII, Ocracoke family history
and pirate resources. Collection information is available online at
www.bhmlib.org/bhm/Ocracoke.htm 252-928-4436. |
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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
beautiful site can be visited daily. Read about the history
of the light.
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Massage/Spa Treatment - Are you in the mood to pamper yourself or sore from reeling in too many fish? Try a relaxing massage.
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Music - Live music abounds on the island if you know where to look. Deepwater Theatre & Music Hall 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, web site, or local bulletin boards for event schedules. Also check other venues in our Nightlife section. Pianist Jamie Tunnell 252-928-2679 is available to play for special events. |
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National
Park Service Ocracoke Island Visitors Center
- The NPS Visitors Center on Ocracoke 252-928-4531 is
open year round. Located near the Cedar Island Ferry Dock on Silver
Lake Harbor in the village, we think it's one of the best sources for Ocracoke Island
reading materials. Public restrooms.
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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. Both their Ocracoke Island Journal and Ocracoke Newsletter provide
delightful insights into true Ocracoke living. In addition, visit the online Island Free Press or look for the Ocracoke Observer in shops
around the village.
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Nightlife
- We'll be honest. Nightlife is slow during the off-season, but then
that's not what attracts folks here anyway. However, if you find yourself
in need of company for the evening, try Gaffer's Sports Pub 252-928-3456, Hwy. 12, Creekside Cafe 252-928-3606, Hwy 12 in the village, or Howard's Pub 252-928-4441, Hwy. 12 until they close for the winter.
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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 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. If you listen closely, you may 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 spectacular photos of our unique island scenery. With just a few Vacation Photography Tips, you can capture the basic essence of island photography. Have you 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
- 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 accesses via Robbie's Way or Springer's Point 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 village building opening & closing dates. Portsmouth Island ATV Excursions 252-928-4484
provide seasonal guided ATV tours of the island and Austin boat tours (see Boating above) provide drop-off and pick-up service to and from the island
for shelling, fishing, bird watching and exploring. |
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Reading - Our quiet cottages, nestled among pines and cedars, offer perfect secluded reading spots. Check out our favorite island sources for a great read.
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Robbie's Way Sound Access - Pamlico Sound access via a sandy footpath
can be found along the western end of Silver
Lake Road. Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to use Robbie's
Way to go clamming, watch the sunset or enjoy a quiet moment on the
sound. |
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Sand
Castle Construction - Are you serious
about your turret building or are you a sand pile beginner? Read our Castle Construction
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 Ride the Wind 252-928-6311 for more information.
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Seafood Catch
of the Day - Local fisherman unload seasonal catch daily (until the waters cool) at the docks of Ocracoke Seafood Company 252-928-5602, Hwy 12 along Silver Lake Harbor. OSC is the island's only fish house and home of the non-profit Ocracoke Working Watermen's Assoc.
Here you can find the fresh catch of the day, often along with shrimp, crabs, tuna, flounder, oysters and clams. Steamed shrimp, raw bar items, spices & condiments are also available. See our Working Watermen's section. |
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Shelling
- A good time to search for shells is at changing tides, after high
tide, or particularly following a storm. If you are seeking whole
shells, look where the beaches have gentle slopes. Dr. Beach recommends Ocracoke's north shore for shell seekers.
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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. Call first for hours.
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Springer's Point Nature Preserve - Encompassing more than 120 acres of rare maritime forest (including gnarled live oaks) tidal red cedar forest, salt marsh, wet grasslands and sound front beach, this tranquil preserve was opened to the public in 2006. The area sports a cultural history as well as an astounding array of plant and bird species. Historically referred to as "Teach's Plantation," Springer's Point is the reputed haunt of the legendary pirate, Blackbeard, who met his fate at Teach's Hole, just off the point. Plan to hike or bike to the preserve access on Loop Road. There is no parking at the site or along the one-way street. Also see Hammock Hills Nature Trail. |
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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 vehicle for beach driving. If not, any beach facing the
Atlantic will provide you with a sunrise vantage point. Silver Lake Harbor, Robbie's Way and Springer's Point are all great spots to view spectacular 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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Tours - Ocracoke Walking Tour & Guide Book - In a comprehensive paperback by Ruth Fordon & 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! Check for the
book in many stores around the island or at the National Parks Service Visitors
Center by Silver Lake Harbor. Tours - 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 for his schedule of 'Round Creek
or Down Point tours. |
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Video
Rentals - Has a drizzle set in? Here's a
chance to catch up on the movie you missed. Stop by the Community Store 252-928-3321 in the village on Silver Lake Harbor. |
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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 or fourth generation native guide Wade Austin 252-928-7170
for curtain blind hunting.
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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. Contact Capt. Reid Robinson for whale watching excursions 252-921-0120 |
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Wi-Fi Internet Access - Call ahead for hours.
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Working Watermen's Association Exhibit - Learn about the life and history of local Ocracoke watermen (clammers, crabbers, oystermen, commercial and recreational fishermen) at the Community Square docks along Hwy. 12 at Silver Lake Harbor. Occasional hands-on activities and classes that focus on wildlife, fishing and the environment are located in the little building under the Portsmouth Tours sign. See vintage photos, decoys and antique fishing tools. Learn more about Ocracoke watermen at www.ocracokewatermen.org and see our Seafood Catch of the Day section! |
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Worship Services -
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Check with us for off-season cottage rental "Specials" and weekend rates! |
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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!! 
During your stay on Ocracoke, be sure to visit the island's "Pirate's Chest" gift shop. Not only do they have the "scoop" on island information but also the largest t-shirt, shell and souvenir selection in town.
