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Overview
Overview
Ocracoke's remote beaches have lured visitors for centuries; in the 1500s it first appeared on maps, after Sir Walter Raleigh and his crew set foot upon the island's sands. To state the obvious, modern conveniences like phones and the Internet have infiltrated the island, but still a certain mystique lurks around every corner here, reminiscent of a time long past, evidenced by the seclusion and quietude found walking the dunes of a deserted beach, wandering the village's tranquil streets, or watching the sun glide into the Pamlico Sound at sunset.
The 16-mile-long island can only be reached by boat, private plane or ferry, and perhaps it is the slight difficulty in arriving that has kept away the throngs of tourists that so blithely infiltrate other Outer Banks towns. Ocracoke is thankfully left as a slow-paced fishing village, with some 800 residents.
The island's history is a fascinating one, starting with the interest it held for Blackbeard. In the 1700s, the infamous pirate terrorized ships in the area and eventually was killed here by British naval troops. Ocracoke's inlet played an enormous role in expanding the growth of colonial America's seafaring expeditions. The inlet served as a point of entry along North Carolina's notoriously dangerous coast. Experienced Ocracoke sailors helped guide cargo ships to safety past sandbars and shoals.
The island remained mainly isolated from visitors until World War II, when a U.S. Naval Base was built on the island. Soon after the National Park Service gave protection to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which sparked the interest of the tourist trade, allowing others to share in Ocracoke's many charms.
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Child-Friendliness
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Swimming
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Sand
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Atmosphere
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Non-Beach Activities
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