Things to Do in Ocracoke

If you’re on the hunt for things to do on Ocracoke Island, boredom is the least of your worries. Ocracoke Island is a recreational wonderland, and finding fun here never takes long. The most popular attraction by far is the beach. Once you see and experience these clean, wide-open, undeveloped beaches, you'll understand why Dr. Stephen Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach, named Ocracoke's Lifeguard Beach as the #1 beach among his 10 Best Beaches in the USA in 2022.

Other things to do on Ocracoke enable you to know this island and its community and culture, from historic ghost walks to charter fishing trips to kayak tours and hiking through nature preserves. Keep in mind that on Ocracoke Island you will need a car, bicycle or golf cart. There’s not a traditional taxi service here, but there is a free tram in the village in the summer months. The island way of getting around involves walking, biking or a cruising in a golf cart. The village area can easily be covered in a matter of minutes.

The primary things to do on Ocracoke Island – attractions and outdoor recreation – stay pretty simple and unfettered. The setting and community provide the entertainment on Ocracoke. Enjoy a guided walk through the woods, listen to local musicians performing at live shows or gather around the old-timers to hear the stories of years past.

Unwind with Things to Do in Ocracoke

It seems that when people are here, they content themselves with less stimulation than what’s found in the hustles and bustle of cities. Things to do in Ocracoke celebrate simplicity: quiet walks on the beach (Cape Hatteras National Seashore), fishing and clamming, looking for shells, building a sandcastle, strolling around the village, sitting on the porch swing, observing nature or chasing ghost crabs in the moonlight. If you’re looking for more, walk or bike to the Ocracoke Campground on the new paved bike trail, stroll over to the Ocracoke Lighthouse (the oldest in North Carolina and still operating) and the Preservation Museum, or go out and visit the ponies and take a little hike. Another favorite activity is taking a daytrip to Portsmouth Island, an unoccupied island with remote beaches and old village buildings to explore. Learn more about Portsmouth Island here.

One last note to remember, when we refer to the locations for things to do on Ocracoke Island, Irvin Garrish Highway is also known as N.C. Highway 12.

Kitty Hawk Kites

Ocracoke Thing To Do
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Member
Community Square, 270 Irvin Garrish Highway, Ocracoke
(252) 928-4563
794 Sunset Boulevard, TimBuck II Shopping Village, Corolla
(252) 453-8845
819 Ocean Trail, Monterey Plaza, Corolla
(252) 453-3685
1216 Duck Road, Wee Winks Square, Duck
(252) 261-4450
3933 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 12.5, Jockey's Ridge Crossing, Nags Head
(252) 449-2210
307 Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Manteo
(252) 473-2357
24502 N.C. Highway 12, Waves Village, Rodanthe
(252) 987-2297
39432 N.C. Highway 12, Island Shops, Avon
(252) 995-6060
58848 Hatteras Landing, Hatteras Landing, Hatteras
(252) 986-1446
7517 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Whalebone Watersports Center, Nags Head
(252) 441-4124
(877) 359-8447

Kitty Hawk Kites has been teaching the world to fly since 1974. With 10 retail locations from Corolla to Ocracoke, Kitty Hawk Kites boasts an impressive selection of kites, flags and spinners, toys, apparel, gifts and games on the Outer Banks. Kitty Hawk Kites specializes in kites, from the single-lines for kids to high-tech stunt varieties. The stores also sell fun outdoor goodies such as...read more

Kitty Hawk Kites has been teaching the world to fly since 1974. With 10 retail...read more

Ocracoke Alive

Ocracoke Thing To Do
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Member
84 School Road, Ocracoke
(252) 921-0260

Ocracoke Alive, Inc. was formed to enrich the Ocracoke Island by serving the cultural and artistic needs of the community. Through fundraising and donations, this group supports the musical, educational and artistic vein of the Ocracoke community by organizing and sponsoring multiple events throughout the year, including the annual Ocrafolk Festival, Ocrafolk School Fall Retreat, Festival Latino de Ocracoke and community plays and school programs.read more

Ocracoke Alive, Inc. was formed to enrich the Ocracoke Island by serving the cultural and artistic needs of the...read more

Ocracoke Preservation Society and Museum

Ocracoke Thing To Do
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Member
49 Water Plant Road, Ocracoke
(252) 928-7375

For a peek into Ocracoke’s past, visit Ocracoke Preservation Society’s Museum. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to preserving the island’s history and cultural heritage and to protecting its environment. Housed in the turn-of-the-century home of Coast Guard Capt. David Williams, the museum lets visitors glimpse island life in the early to mid-1900s. Many of the architectural elements are intact, and a bedroom, living room and...read more

For a peek into Ocracoke’s past, visit Ocracoke Preservation Society’s Museum. The nonprofit organization is...read more

Ride The Wind Recreational Activities

Ocracoke Thing To Do
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Member
486 Irvin Garrish Highway, Ocracoke
(252) 928-6311

Ride the Wind provides a myriad of classes and adventures: guided kayak ecotours and rentals, surf camps, surf lessons and SUP yoga. The guided sunrise, midday, sunset and full moon kayak ecotours accommodate up to 10 people and provide all necessary equipment and training. These tours are very popular, so it's a good idea to make reservations in advance. You can also rent kayaks here for...read more

Ride the Wind provides a myriad of classes and adventures: guided kayak ecotours and rentals,...read more

The Slushy Stand

Ocracoke Thing To Do
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Member
473 Irvin Garrish Highway, Ocracoke
(252) 928-1878

The Slushy Stand is the perfect place for refreshment and a relaxing spot to indulge your craving for sweets or coffee. Stop in and try one of their 20 flavors of ice cream, soft-serve ice cream, frozen yogurt, icy slushies, cold drinks and smoothies. They have breakfast items to go along with their freshly ground regular brew, a very smooth but robust Cuban coffee. Espresso,...read more

The Slushy Stand is the perfect place for refreshment and a relaxing spot to indulge...read more

WOVV 90.1 FM Radio, Ocracoke Village Voice

Ocracoke Thing To Do
P.O. Box 1447, Ocracoke
(252) 928-9688

Ocracoke's community radio station WOVV 90.1 FM invites island visitors to tune in to hear live local programming featuring music and entertainment, local news, weather, sports and coverage of local civic and business affairs. The programming is produced and presented by and for locals and visitors alike, broadcasting from the station’s studio in the heart of Ocracoke Village. If you get Ocracoke fever when you're...read more

Ocracoke's community radio station WOVV 90.1 FM invites island visitors to tune in to hear...read more