Overview
Ocracoke Island is one of the barrier islands of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The 16 mi of unspoiled beaches and salty ocean breezes offer great opportunities for solitude, serenity, and peace of mind. The expansive vista of ocean and soundfront marsh provides a closeness to nature highlighted with her variety of beach vegetation and bird life. The proximity to the Gulf Stream, and consequent warm southern waters, make for perfect swimming and excellent fishing (gulf stream, surf, and sound). There are also water sports and a colorful history to explore.
1 sights · 4 places to eat · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Ocracoke
Ocracoke Light Station
North Carolina's oldest lighthouse still in operation. Easy to bike or walk to, not open for climbing. Ocracoke Light was built on Ocracoke Island in 1823 by Massachusetts builder Noah Porter. The lighthouse stands 75 ft…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 33°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Sep and Aug. (climate data from nearby North Carolina Coastal Plain)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- EWN Coastal Carolina Regional Airport, New Bern — 60 mi away. Directions
- PGV Pitt-Greenville Airport, Greenville — 87 mi away. Directions
- ORF Norfolk International Airport, Norfolk — 124 mi away (major hub). Directions
The island is only accessible by ferry, boat or private plane. The free Hatteras ferry is a 70-minute ride that runs roughly every 30 minutes in the summer. There are two other ferry routes: Cedar Island, 2 hr 15 min, which runs from the southwest, and the Swan Quarter 2 hr 40 min, which runs from west of Ocracoke. Each ferry route has 2-4 daily departures depending on the season. $15 for a passenger car call for reservations +1-800-byferry Ocracoke Ferry information is available online.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Rated the #1 beach in America for 2007, the island of Ocracoke abounds in natural pleasures. Ocracoke offers a great medium for quality family time. The slow pace and warm, southern hospitality round out a perfect island vacation; one that insures peace, rest and relaxation.
Get in
The island is only accessible by ferry, boat or private plane. The free Hatteras ferry is a 70-minute ride that runs roughly every 30 minutes in the summer. There are two other ferry routes: Cedar Island, 2 hr 15 min, which runs from the southwest, and the Swan Quarter 2 hr 40 min, which runs from west of Ocracoke. Each ferry route has 2-4 daily departures depending on the season. $15 for a passenger car call for reservations +1-800-byferry Ocracoke Ferry information is available online.
By ferry
By private plane
Go Ocracoke Island Airport
Flight planning facility available. Airport is close enough to walk to the beach. Howard's Pub monitors UNICOM and will pick you up.
Get around
You can best get around Ocracoke' charming village on foot or by bicycle. There are several places in the village to rent a bike or scooter. Parking spots are rare in town, so it's best not to try to drive around town. Just leave your car in one place and walk the rest of the way. There are sidewalks in the village but they are narrow.
Place Ocracoke Beach Outfitters
Rentals of bikes for adults and children, linens, baby equipment, beach gear and other convenience items. Adult bikes can be outfitted with child trailers and baby seats. Youth helmets are available at no additional charge. Free delivery and pick-up is available for all orders over $75 (Ocracoke Island delivery only). Orders under $75 incur a $15 delivery charge.
Golf carts are a great way for getting around the village (especially given the narrow streets, 20 mph speed limit, and often scarce parking). They may only be used within the village, i.e. no further than Howard's Pub. Getting to the beach will still likely require a car, or a shuttle, if your lodging provides one. It is possible to take your cart to the end of the village and walk to the nearest pedestrian access point (Ramp 70, next to the airstrip), but those with a lot of beach gear or small children will likely want to make alternate arrangements.
See
See Ocracoke Light Station
North Carolina's oldest lighthouse still in operation. Easy to bike or walk to, not open for climbing. Ocracoke Light was built on Ocracoke Island in 1823 by Massachusetts builder Noah Porter. The lighthouse stands 75 ft tall and its diameter narrows from 25 feet (7.6 m) at the base to 12 feet (3.7 m) at its peak. The lighthouse was built to help guide ships through Ocracoke Inlet into Pamlico Sound.
Do
- Watersports are also a popular outdoor recreation. Surfing, kite boarding, kayaking
Sport fishing and surf fishing. Boating. Beach combing. Sunbathing. Swimming. Read a book. Have a nap in a hammock. Well, in Ocracoke you really don't have to do anything but relax.
Buy
Shop Ocracoke Variety Store
As the only grocery store on Ocracoke Island, this is the place to pick up fresh-cut meats, fresh produce, frozen foods, gourmet cheeses, dairy products, bread, spices, sauces, vegan and gluten-free products – basically everything you need to prepare your own meals and snacks. The Variety Store offers grab-and-go sandwiches, prepared foods, plus coolers to pack your picnic in. They have a good selection of wine and craft beer as well.
Eat
Eat Howard's Pub and Raw Bar
Specializes in fresh seafood, burgers and steaks.
Eat Back Porch Restaurant and Wine Bar
A popular local restaurant specializing in seafood and other American-style cuisine.
Eat The Slushy Stand
A great place to pick up a coffee, bagel, and a muffin for breakfast, an ice cream for a snack, and a bicycle to get around the village.
Drink
- Sweet tea is always good in the South anywhere you can find it. Sweet tea is iced tea with a lot of sugar. If you ask for iced tea or even just tea, you will probably receive sweet tea. If you want iced tea without sugar, ask for unsweet tea. If you want hot tea, ask for hot tea. If you find sweet tea to be too sweet and unsweet tea is too bland, ask for half-and-half to receive a mix of sweet and unsweet tea.
Sleep
Stay Silver Lake Motel and Inn
Affordable rooms and suites, pet-friendly, full kitchens available, breathtaking views.
Camping
Stay safe
- Pay attention to the road rules that apply everywhere. Bike on the right, walk on the left. There are no sidewalks, so there is traffic congestion on the busy one-lane Highway 12.
- There is no crime recorded on the island except for a few stolen bicycles from your favorite late-night hangout.
- Check the weather forecast prior to your visit. If wind and/or wave conditions in the Pamlico Sound become too dangerous, NCDOT may suspend ferry operations to and from the island, potentially stranding visitors with limited access to essential services, especially in major emergency situations. Additionally, Highway 12 between the NPS Pony Pens and the Hatteras ferry terminal has very small and fragile dunes, making it extremely susceptible to ocean over wash which can close down the road for multiple days, even during minor coastal storms, limiting access to and from the island. Please obey any evacuation orders, and consider postponing your trip if there is a high risk of hazardous weather in the area.
Go next
Deepwater theater and Music Hall The Jolly Roger on silver lake, great music, great sunsets.
Nearby
Hatteras
City / town · 20 listings · 18 mi away
Harkers Island
City / town · 10 listings · 44 mi away
Beaufort
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Morehead City
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Atlantic Beach
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Bath
City / town · 6 listings · 53 mi away
Havelock
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Newport
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My experience
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