Ocracoke Beach - Travel Back to a Simpler Time and Place...
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Ocracoke Beach, located in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, is indeed a step back into the past. Back to a simpler time, with a simpler lifestyle. Back to the "good ole days" when you had time to enjoy life, family, and friends. This place will move you. Visit it once and you will never be the same...
One of the reasons that Ocracoke Beach maintains it's "old-world" charm is that it is a bit harder to get to. There is no bridge, no tunnel, nor roadway, to the mainland. The only way to get to here is to fly in via small plane, or take one of the three ferries currently available. The ferry docks at Cape Hatteras (where the "free ferry" leaves from) are shown in the photo above.
At the southern tip of the island is the village of Ocracoke. From this photo you can clearly see the tree-lined "Main Drag" that you will take down to city center (so-to-speak). Beware of bikers, one of the favorite modes of transportation.
Ocracoke Village houses some spectacular restaurants. For an "up-scale" dining experience, be sure to try the "Cafe Atlantic", Ocracoke's "Taste of Luxury".
Silver Lake Harbor is man-made, and when it was created in 1931 it forever changed the direction of the island. The economy went from one that was centered around the fishing industry, to one based on tourism. It is from here that you can take one of two toll ferries to the North Carolina mainland.
While here, don't forget to check out a local fixture...the lighthouse. It was constructed in 1832, and it is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in North Carolina. Want a bit of trivia? The light from this tower can be seen up to 14 miles out to sea...how's that?
Let's move our attention over to Ocracoke Beach itself. Due to the island's rather remote location, the beaches are not packed during most of the year. Having said this, there has been a lot of press as of late, so if you insist on coming here in July, be prepared to see the island's version of "rush hour traffic".
Did we mention that you can drive your car on the beach? Well, as shown above...yes you can. Hard to believe that Blackbeard the Pirate once frequented these shores, even if he didn't drive on them.
For animal lovers, don't forget the ponies... They are a popular feature of the island, and nobody is exactly sure where they came from. It is a commonly held belief that they swam ashore from a sinking ship. The formerly wild ponies have been rounded up now, and visitors to the island can see them from a viewing location near the northern-end of the island.
Animal lovers? What does the island have to offer to nature lovers ? LOTS! There are trails that meander throughout the island, providing plenty of access to the native wildlife and flora and fauna. Smell that ocean breeze and take in a slice of mother earth...aaah...sweet....
Our synopsis? Visit Ocracoke Beach just once, and it will steal your heart...
Ocracoke "Creative Activities"
Why not try your hand at an "Ocracoke Sled Kite"...featuring their famous lighthouse? It is a kite considered by many to be one of the easiest to build and to fly.
Here are the plans for the "Ocracoke Sled Kite".
Ocracoke "Fine Dining"
1) Cafe Atlantic - The Taste of Ocracoke Luxury.
2) Mango Loco - Ocracoke's Answer for Mexican Food.
Ocracoke "Great Hotels"
1) Island Inn - Your Ocracoke "Home Away From Home".
Ocracoke "Fabulous Shopping"
1) Albert Styron Store - For the taste of an era gone by.
Ocracoke "Tours, Events"1) Ocracoke Boat Tours - Visit Portsmouth Island.
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