You haven’t fully seen Ocracoke until you’ve seen it from the water. Sure, you can rent your own boat, but an easier way to enjoy this thing to do on Ocracoke is to go out on one of the boat cruises. Or, hey, just take a ferry ride – that’s a boat cruise freebie (or very inexpensive if you choose the passenger ferry). The captains of these Ocracoke boat cruises will take the helm so you can relax and have fun.
Featured for Your Visit
Thing To Do in Ocracoke
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Contributor
Ocracoke Alive, Inc. was formed to enrich 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, Festival Latino de Ocracoke, community plays and school programs.
Ocracoke Alive, Inc. was formed to enrich 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, Festival Latino de Ocracoke, community plays and school programs.read more
Ocracoke Alive, Inc. was formed to enrich Ocracoke Island by serving the cultural and artistic needs of the community....read more
Thing To Do in Ocracoke
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Contributor
Ocracoke Alive, Inc. was formed to enrich 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, Festival Latino de Ocracoke, community plays and school programs.
Ocracoke Alive, Inc. was formed to enrich 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, Festival Latino de Ocracoke, community plays and school programs.read more
Ocracoke Alive, Inc. was formed to enrich Ocracoke Island by serving the cultural and artistic needs of the community....read more
Thing To Do in Ocracoke
49 Water Plant Road, Ocracoke
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 kitchen are decorated with period furnishings donated by island families. The museum has photographs, artifacts and exhibits that pertain to island life and culture. A favorite is a video on the Ocracoke brogue. The museum also houses special rotating exhibits and a gift shop. Upstairs is a small research library that can be used by appointment. In the yard of the museum you can find outdoor exhibits including an old-style cistern and the traditional fishing boat, Blanche, circa 1934. During the summer, OPS hosts free porch talks and museum tours with a variety of islanders sharing their knowledge, stories and history. The museum also offers a mid-week Kids Kraft program for kids. This interactive program is fun and informative and the children leave with a handmade island souvenir. Stop at the OPS gift shop for a schedule of these events. It’s free to visit the museum, though donations are encouraged. It’s open from the end of March through the first week of December.
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
Thing To Do in Ocracoke
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Contributor
486 Irvin Garrish Highway, Ocracoke
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 your own adventure. Ride the Wind introduces surfing and ocean safety through their group and private lesson programs. From June to early August, these group lessons are held Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m. and are designed for all ages. They will also arrange special camps for your group. All instructors are trained in ocean safety, first aid and CPR, and they use softboards to minimize the chance of injury. Ride the Wind also offers personal private lessons to get you started on your surfing journey. SUP Yoga is offered in the summer; no experience is needed, but advance reservations are required.
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
Thing To Do in Ocracoke
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Contributor
473 Irvin Garrish Highway, Ocracoke
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 21 flavors of ice cream, slushies, milkshakes, floats, cold drinks and smoothies. They have breakfast items like muffins and bagels to go along with their freshly ground regular brew, a very smooth but robust Cuban coffee. Espresso, cappuccino or lattes are additional options. With free WiFi and a morning newspaper, this is a great place to start the day. Relax on the porch rocking chairs and watch the world go by. Bike rentals are available by the hour, day or week.
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 21 flavors of ice cream, slushies, milkshakes, floats, cold drinks and smoothies. They have breakfast items like muffins and bagels 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
Thing To Do in Ocracoke
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 away and need a little taste of the island, you can listen online at WOVV.org. Your donations mean a lot to a small, nonprofit station like WOVV, so if you're inclined to support the station where you can tune in any time of year to hear what's happening on the island, make your tax deductible contribution at the website, or mail it to Ocracoke Community Radio WOVV, P.O. Box 1447, Ocracoke NC, 27960.
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
Thing To Do in Ocracoke
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Contributor
Anchorage Marina is located on Silver Lake Harbor across the street from The Anchorage Inn. The marina offers transient dockage with electric, water, showers and use of the pool. Nearby, there are bike and golf cart rentals, a boat ramp, gas and diesel fuel, ice, bait and t-shirts. Parasailing and charter fishing trips for the Gulf Stream and inshore are available at the marina. The dockside cafe, SmacNally's, is a popular open-air bar where you can watch boats bring in the catch of the day. The marina is open mid-March through mid-November.
Anchorage Marina is located on Silver Lake Harbor across the street from The Anchorage Inn. The marina offers transient dockage with electric, water, showers and use of the pool. Nearby, there are bike and golf cart rentals, a boat ramp, gas and diesel fuel, ice, bait and t-shirts. Parasailing and charter fishing trips for the Gulf Stream and inshore are available at the marina. The dockside...read more
Anchorage Marina is located on Silver Lake Harbor across the street from The Anchorage Inn. The...read more
Thing To Do in Ocracoke
Angie’s Gym is a self-serve fitness center open daily with cardio and strength machines and free weights. An aerobics/dance studio offers classes including yoga, P90X, HIIT and PiYo. Angie's offers many membership options, including fees for daily use or for single-class enrollment during your vacation on Ocracoke.read more
Thing To Do in Ocracoke
Beach Feet Nails is Ocracoke Island's only nail salon. Owner Molly O'Rourke offers pedicures and manicures for men, women and children. Consider booking online or by phone before your arrival on the island to ensure an appointment, but week-of appointments are accepted.read more
Thing To Do in Ocracoke
When you are driving to the village from the lifeguard beach, look for a large black granite marker on the right side of N.C. Highway 12 just before you reach the village boundary. Behind the marker, up past the dunes is an area of the island called Loop Shack Hill, the site of a little known WWII U.S. Navy project called the Beach Jumpers. This...read more
Thing To Do in Ocracoke
Ocracoke’s beach has attracted increasing national attention as it worked its way up on Dr. Beach’s acclaimed annual list of 10 Best Beaches in the USA; he named Ocracoke's Lifeguard Beach (formally called Ocracoke Beach Access) as America's #1 beach in 2007 and 2022. The beach is wide and clean and there are plenty of spots where, with a little effort, you can enjoy it undisturbed by...read more
Thing To Do in Ocracoke
Beach Outfitters rents bikes, beach equipment, cottage needs, baby gear and other convenience items too cumbersome to pack. Their bikes come in three different sizes and are available hourly, daily or weekly. Beach chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards, high chairs, cribs, charcoal grills, clam rakes, coolers and steamer pots are just some of the other items available. Free delivery and pick-up is available for all orders more...read more
Thing To Do in Ocracoke
At the corner of Silver Lake Road and N.C. Highway 12, this service rents 4x4 vehicles, including Jeeps and SUVs that are perfect for driving on Ocracoke's beach. Enjoy full or half-day rentals of 4x4 vehicles. Best of all, the required ORV driving permits are included when you rent a 4WD vehicle through Beach Ride Rentals. This company also rents convertible cars and scooters for...read more
