What to do and see in Ocracoke, North Carolina (NC): The Best Hidden Gems Things to do

September 13, 2021 Joeann Galban

Ocracoke /ˈoʊkrəkoʊk/ is a census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated town located at the southern end of Ocracoke Island, located entirely within Hyde County, North Carolina, in the United States. The population was 948 as of the 2010 census. As of 2014, Ocracoke's population was estimated at 591. Ocracoke Island was the location of the pirate Blackbeard's death in November 1718.
Restaurants in Ocracoke

1. Ride The Wind Surf & Kayak

486 Irvin Garrish Hwy, Ocracoke, NC 27960-1159 +1 252-928-6311 [email protected] http://surfocracoke.com/
Excellent
95%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 211 reviews

Ride The Wind Surf & Kayak

Ride the Wind is a full service surf shop, offering surf instruction, surf camps, surf & kayak rentals, Standup Paddleboarding, and the latest in surf apparel, footwear, and sunglasses.

Reviewed By A9197LXrobertm

We were a family of four that had never tried stand up paddle boards. Our waitress Cathy at Howard's Pub recommended Ride the Wind surf shop down the street in Ocracoke. Robert and Jesse gave us the lowdown on board rentals. $20.00 per hour. Other longer term rates available. We parked at the shop. Their dock is across the street - very convenient. Jesse outfitted us with life jackets, paddles and a board. None of us had formal training on the boards - only from watching videos and other boarders. We were able to climb on the boards and stand up. It took 5 - 10 minutes acclimation for balancing skills to kick in. For me it helped to focus on the horizon. In one hour we paddled around Silver Lake and out to Pamlico Sound towards the light house. Our round trip was an hour. Just enough for us. Ride the Wind on Silver Lake Harbor is an excellent intro to Stand Up Paddle boarding - I would recommend for anyone thinking of trying it out for the first time, or accomplished paddlers.

2. The Village Craftsmen

170 Howard Street, Ocracoke, NC 27960 +1 252-928-5541 http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 20 reviews

The Village Craftsmen

Reviewed By photogal222

This is simply a delightful shop with beautiful, unique handmade gifts, many that are made locally. There is always so much to choose from! The store manager, Amy Howard, is always cheerful and welcoming. This is my absolute favorite shop on the Outer Banks, and every time I visit I come home with a new treasure (or several!). :) Highly recommended.

3. Ocracoke Lifeguard Beach

Ocracoke, NC 27960 http://www.ocracokebeachfires.com
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
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Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 14 reviews

Ocracoke Lifeguard Beach

Reviewed By williamlO4961CG

Great experience. A perfect way to finish an Ocracoke day. We were fortunate enough to have clear skies to see the Milky Way and a number of shooting stars.

4. British Cemetery

British Cemetery Road, Ocracoke, NC http://www.ocracoke-nc.com/cemetery/
Excellent
50%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 385 reviews

British Cemetery

The remains of four British soldiers whose ship was sunk off the coast during World War II are buried here.

Reviewed By snoopydoo - Florida, United States

This cemetery is truly historic and a beautiful tribute. You'll only need to pul over for a few minutes to take it in. The stones/memorials explain who they are and why they are there. It's a quick sight, but worth your time to pay respects to these soldiers. Very glad we stopped.

5. Porstmouth Island ATV Tours

Excellent
80%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
8%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 40 reviews

Porstmouth Island ATV Tours

ATV and shelling on Portsmouth Island NC

6. Springer's Point Preserve

Ocracoke, NC +1 910-790-4524 [email protected] http://www.coastallandtrust.org/springers-point
Excellent
66%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 273 reviews

Springer's Point Preserve

Reviewed By BeachbumJon

This is a cool short hike through some interesting trees ending with a view of where Blackbeard met his fate. We parked at the nearby church (left a donation in the box) and walked to the trail entrance. 20-40 minutes is about all you would need for this. We enjoyed it.

7. Ocracoke Beach

Ocracoke, NC
Excellent
83%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
2%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 48 reviews

Ocracoke Beach

Reviewed By W1702PJmarkg - Catonsville, United States

Ocracoke Beach was very nice with a long wide beach and attractive mounds of sand dunes and sea grasses. This section had a large parking lot, very nice rest rooms and a walkway and steps that cut thru the sand dunes to the beach. There were a few families on the beach, but we had most of it to ourselves. Nice for swimming, walking, shelling, etc..

8. Ocracoke Lighthouse

Lighthouse Road, Ocracoke, NC +1 252-473-2111 https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/ols.htm
Excellent
39%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1,027 reviews

Ocracoke Lighthouse

The oldest lighthouse still in operation in North Carolina.

Reviewed By LittlePaint - Urbandale, United States

With all of the current closures, there's not really a lot to see and do in the quaint village, so make sure you get off the beaten path and stop at the lighthouse. The parking area is small, but easily accommodated my 25' RV. It's a short walk to the light house and the plaque that talks about the structure and history was worth the read.

9. Portsmouth Island Boat Tour

Excellent
74%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
7%
Terrible
7%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 42 reviews

Portsmouth Island Boat Tour

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