Watch WildlifeOn Ocracoke, the wildlife is plentiful. You can see turtles, dolphins, otters, along with many different species of birds, including the American Oystercatcher and the ever popular Brown Pelican. Not to miss while visiting Ocracoke are the famous ponies. The ponies are thought to be descendents of horses from sailing vessels shipwrecked on the shoals. Once left to roam on their own, they are now cared for by the National Park Service where you can view them at "the pony pasture" located 7 miles north of the village. Discover the Sound Via Robbie's WayA sandy footpath leading to Pamlico Sound 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. Please walk or bike since no parking is available. View the Sunrise Over the Atlantic OceanHow many days of the year do you go to the beach before the sun comes up? While you are on Ocracoke, plan to get up early one day and head to the beach. Grab your beach chair, your coffee and your camera, set your alarm (it's only one day, you can do it!). Enjoy a beautiful sunrise on Ocracoke! Go Boating in the Atlantic Ocean or One of the Local SoundsThere are several docks located throughout Ocracoke to accommodate a range of boat sizes, from small skiffs to large pleasure boats. Many rental properties are equipped with a dock or a bulkhead for your boat. You can also rent a small boat to use during your Ocracoke vacation or consider chartering a boat with an experienced captain to show you the area. Tour the Graveyard of the Atlantic MuseumThe Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, located in Hatteras Village, was created to preserve the maritime history and shipwrecks of the Outer Banks throughout history. The museum has a unique design with an entrance modeled after the timbers of the many shipwrecks that have happened along the treacherous Hatteras coast. For more information, contact the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum at (252) 986-2995. Conveniently located next to the Hatteras Ferry Terminal, a museum visit can be combined with other Hatteras Island attractions for a day off the island. Send Ocracoke Postcards To Your Friends and FamilyAre you the lucky one among your friends and family who got to take a trip to Ocracoke this year? Take an hour of your precious vacation time and send postcard notes to your loved ones. There are beautiful postcards sold at almost any local gift shop, gallery or grocery store and they are very affordable. Let them know you are thinking about them and that you wish they could be visiting Ocracoke with you. If they can see a postcard of how beautiful it is, maybe you can persuade them to come along with you on your next vacation! Watch the Full Moon Rise and Look For Ghost Crabs at the BeachGo to the beach on a balmy, summer night and wait for the full moon to come up over the ocean. On a clear night, the full moon rising up over the horizon sometimes has an orange or red tint which is the light from the setting sun filtering through particles in the Earth's atmosphere and reflecting off the moon. It's absolutely beautiful hanging in the sky above the dark ocean waves. When the moonlight floods the beach and reflects brightly off the white sea foam, you will see dozens of ghost crabs skittering about. If the clouds are over the moon, bring a flashlight and see how many ghost crabs you can find! Watch the Charter Boats Come in with Their "Catch of the Day"The docks around Silver Lake Harbor will be brimming with the day's catch in the afternoon, when the charter boats arrive. You will see tired, sunburned (and happy) fishermen, whistling mates and captains. View a selection of the tuna, wahoo, mackerel, dolphin and other choice catches of the day. Watch the mates clean the day's catch at the fish cleaning station. Visit Springer's Point on Ocracoke IslandResidents and guests of Ocracoke Island are fortunate to share in the beauty of the Springer's Point Preserve. The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust enriches the coastal communities of North Carolina through the acquisition of open space and natural areas for conservation, education and the promotion of good land stewardship. Springer's Point offers more than 120 acres of maritime forest, tidal red cedar forest, salt marsh, tidal ponds, grasslands and sound front beaches. It has been designated as one of the state's significant natural heritage areas because of its unique maritime forest and importance to coastal birds. Springer's Point is open to the public. Visitor's are invited to enjoy paths through this unique maritime forest which lead you to soundfront beaches and include an area that overlooks the infamous Teach's Hole. Please plan to travel to the preserve by foot or bicycle. Parking is not available. Go Sailing in the Calm Sound WatersThe good news about sailing in Ocracoke is that you don't have to own your own sailboat to partake in this activity. The Windfall is a 57' traditional gaff-rigged schooner offering scheduled cruises from Silver Lake Harbor. The Windfall looks and sails like the schooners that plied these waters in a bygone era (or, according to some, like a pirate ship!). The boat is fully equipped with modern conveniences to ensure your safety and comfort. | Ocracoke RestaurantsCreekside Cafe475 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Flying Melon Cafe 804 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Thai Moon 589 Irvin Garrish Highway Spencer's Market Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Pizza Company Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Coffee Co. and Island Smoothie 226 Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Howard's Pub & Raw Bar Restaurant 1175 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Back Porch Lunchbox 747 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 The Slushy Stand & Bicycle Rentals 73 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Station 990 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Pony Island Restaurant 51 Ocean View Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Howard's Pub & Raw Bar Restaurant 1175 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Sweet Tooth 1015 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke ShoppingBella Fiore Pottery80 Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Island Hammock Co. 201 British Cemetery Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Zillie's Island Pantry 538 Back Road (Near British Cemetery Road) Ocracoke, NC 27960 Sweet Tooth 1015 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Island Natural Health Store 170 Back Road Sunflower Center Ocracoke, NC 27960 Pirate's Chest Gift Shop 11 Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Restoration 585 Irvin Garrish Highway Spencer's Market Ocracoke, NC 27960 Harborside Motel & Gift Shop 229 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Books to be Red 34 School Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Tree Top Studio & Sandy Hands Farm 402 Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Deepwater Pottery 62 School Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Island Trading Company 486 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke AttractionsOcracoke Island Lighthouse1 Loop Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Jolly Roger Restaurant, Pub & Marina of Ocracoke 396 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Preservation Society 49 Water Plant Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Anchorage Inn & Marina 205 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Teach's Hole Pirate Shop & Blackbeard Exhibit Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke ActivitiesRide the Wind Surf & Kayak Shop486 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Youth Center 1037 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Portsmouth Island Boat Tours 278 Irvin Garrish Highway Community Square Docks Ocracoke, NC 27960 Pamlico Sound Waterfowl Hunting PO Box 674 Ocracoke, NC 27960 Kitty Hawk Kites Irvin Garrish Highway Community Square Ocracoke, NC 27960 Portsmouth Island ATV Excursions 396 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Morning Starr Beach Rides 1070 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Kitty Hawk Kites Irvin Garrish Highway Community Square Ocracoke, NC 27960 Schooner Windfall Pirate Cruise 278 Irvin Garrish Highway Community Square Docks Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Ghost & History Walk 170 Howard Street Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Fire Department Bingo Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Austin Boat Tours: Dolphin Cruises & Sunset Cruises 138 Loop Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 |