For a proper Ocracoke Island experience, you have to be willing to go outside. Watersports and onshore adventures make up the vast majority of things to do on Ocracoke. Take a walking tour of the village as night sets in. See how the natural environment reflects the area’s history and culture at nature preserves. Familiarize yourself with the island’s surrounding water environments with guided ecotours led aboard kayaks or standup paddleboards. Explore the island by way of bike, starting in the village and then continuing down the bike path to see pristine stretches of marshland, national seashore, ponies, wildlife and more.
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Nature & Outdoor Oriented 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 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
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Ocracoke
This outfitter takes passengers to Portsmouth Island for four-hour excursions on a remote, uninhabited island. The boat can take up to 12 passengers and leaves Ocracoke three times a day at 8, 9 and 10 a.m. Returns are four hours later, at 12, 1 and 2 p.m. Reservations are required. You can visit both the historic village and the isolated beach for surf fishing and shelling. read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Ocracoke
Springer’s Point covers about 120 acres of maritime forest, tidal red cedar forest, salt marsh, wet grasslands and soundfront beach bordering Pamlico Sound near South Point. In 2002 after 10 years of research and negotiation, the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust purchased a 31-acre tract of this land and established a nature preserve. A high point of land overlooking the inlet, Springer’s is believed to...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Ocracoke
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Contributor
Interested in kitesurfing? This is your place on Ocracoke Island. The Sea Monkey Lodge & Kite School owner Keith Croghan is the ambassador of kiting on the island and gladly shares his love of the island and sport. With more than 15 years of experience teaching kite-surfing lessons, Keith operates the island's only kite school for all levels from beginners to advanced riders looking to enhance their skills and experience some of Ocracoke’s truly world-class kiting conditions and scenery. Beginner lessons are held in the safe, shallow, calm waters of the Pamlico Sound. For more advanced riders, Keith facilitates downwinders and excursions as well as tricks and wave-riding clinics. Want to graduate from the sound to the surf? This is the place! The guided downwinders are truly hidden gems through some of the island’s more hard-to-reach and untouched places. Keith also offers multi-day kite camps for all levels as well as sailing lessons on 15’ daysailers.
Keith operates a boutique kite lodge and budding permaculture ranch. The guest house, a perfect base for all your adventures, serves as the center for like-minded windsports and watersports enthusiasts. The lodge offers accommodations for larger groups but also welcomes solo travelers, with options of booking the whole property for your group, private rooms or even the occasional van/tent/coach camper. Tucked away on a quiet creek with plenty of shade and a well-provisioned kitchen, it’s got everything you need and is centrally located within walking distance to shops, bars and restaurants.
Interested in kitesurfing? This is your place on Ocracoke Island. The Sea Monkey Lodge & Kite School owner Keith Croghan is the ambassador of kiting on the island and gladly shares his love of the island and sport. With more than 15 years of experience teaching kite-surfing lessons, Keith operates the island's only kite school for all levels from beginners to advanced riders looking to...read more
Interested in kitesurfing? This is your place on Ocracoke Island. The Sea Monkey Lodge &...read more
