Become a Part of the Ocracoke Community For a Week, Settle in For a Longer Stay in the Off Season or Call Ocracoke "Home"Ocracoke is a small coastal community, both is size and population. After a short time on the island, you are likely to recognize familiar faces. You will find yourself in a conversation or share a nod with a local resident. Many visitors long for the small town environment and slower pace. Luckily, many cottage homeowners offer their homes for longer term rentals outside of the peak season. For information on off season rentals call Ocracoke Island Realty at (252) 928-6261. Take a Free Wildlife Education ProgramStop by the National Park Service Ocracoke Island Visitor Center for information on informative programs including subjects such as Barrier Island Nature, Outer Banks History or Graveyard of the Atlantic. For a closer look at life on a sandy beach, attend Explore the Shore, participate in a talk on the Banker Ponies or join in the Morning Bird Walk. By attending programs and completing a workbook, kids ages 5-13 can become a Seashore Ranger. Offerings and schedules vary by season. For further information on Seashore programs, contact the Ocracoke Visitor Center (252) 928-4531 or check the park website at http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/things2do.htm. Have a Sweet TreatOcracoke has a variety of ice cream and candy shops to satisfy every craving. Local shops offer a variety of sweet delights ranging from individual specialties or a wide range of goodies including ice cream, milkshakes, floats, frozen yogurts, sorbets, candy and fudge. A fun treat for the whole family! Browse the Local Gift Shops and BoutiquesWhether your shopping interests are boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, local souvenir shops or seafood markets, you will find a variety of interesting stores on Ocracoke, and since the village is so small, you can walk or bike between most stores. 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. Go Hiking on the Hammock Hills Nature TrailLocated north of Ocracoke Village, the 3/4 mile Hammock Hills Nature Trail will take you on a 30-minute walk through various environments found on the island, including sand dunes, maritime forest and a salt marsh. Signs along the trail teach about the Ocracoke weather, nature elements and various plant life. You will want to remember your camera and insect repellent. The trailhead is located just across Highway 12 from the Ocracoke National Park Service Campground. Take a Bike RideOne of the best ways to get around on Ocracoke Island is on a bicycle. You can reach every neighborhood and business on a bike. Take a scenic bike ride around Silver Lake Harbor or explore throughout the village. Most of the rental bikes have a basket, so you can even do a little shopping on your bike. Check Out the Community Bulletin BoardsLooking 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, the Post Office, or the gas station all located on Highway 12. You will find notices about everything from dances to yard sales to potluck dinners. Catch up on local birth and birthday announcements! Attend a Free Workout!Toning Circuit, Anaerobic Circuit, Step Aerobics, Cardio Kick Boxing and more at the Ocracoke Community Center every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:30 AM (times may vary in the off season). All equipment is supplied for you. Located at 1009 Irvin Garrish Highway on Ocracoke. Go Fishing on a Private CharterThere are a large variety of inshore and offshore charters located on Ocracoke. The most commonly caught fish around Ocracoke are drum, flounder, pompano, bluefish, spanish mackerel, spot, striped bass, mahi-mahi, wahoo and tuna. The fishing charter boats are all located around Silver Lake Harbor. | Ocracoke RestaurantsPony Island Restaurant51 Ocean View Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Flying Melon Cafe 804 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Back Porch Lunchbox 747 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Jason's Restaurant 1110 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Station 990 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Thai Moon 589 Irvin Garrish Highway Spencer's Market Ocracoke, NC 27960 The Back Porch Restaurant & Wine Bar 110 Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Howard's Pub & Raw Bar Restaurant 1175 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Coffee Co. and Island Smoothie 226 Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Creekside Cafe 475 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Flying Melon Cafe 804 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Jolly Roger Restaurant, Pub & Marina of Ocracoke 396 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke ShoppingOcracoke Island Woodworks158 Ocean View Rd Ocracoke, NC 27960 Bella Fiore Pottery 80 Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Mermaid's Folly 259 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Island Natural Health Store 170 Back Road Sunflower Center Ocracoke, NC 27960 Kitty Hawk Kites Irvin Garrish Highway Community Square Ocracoke, NC 27960 Secret Garden Gallery 80 Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Island Hammock Co. 201 British Cemetery Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Island Ragpicker 515 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Zillie's Island Pantry 538 Back Road (Near British Cemetery Road) Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Variety Store & Hardware 950 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Island Memories 271 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Tradewinds Tackle Shop 1094 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 ActivitiesKitty Hawk KitesIrvin Garrish Highway Community Square Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Fire Department Bingo Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Pamlico Sound Waterfowl Hunting PO Box 674 Ocracoke, NC 27960 Portsmouth Island ATV Excursions 396 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Portsmouth Island Boat Tours 278 Irvin Garrish Highway Community Square Docks Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Ghost & History Walk 170 Howard Street Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Youth Center 1037 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ride the Wind Surf & Kayak Shop 486 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Austin Boat Tours: Dolphin Cruises & Sunset Cruises 138 Loop Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Kitty Hawk Kites Irvin Garrish Highway Community Square Ocracoke, NC 27960 Coastal Helicopters, LLC 158 Ocean View Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Schooner Windfall Pirate Cruise 278 Irvin Garrish Highway Community Square Docks Ocracoke, NC 27960 |