Discover the island and its history, culture, secrets, natural environment and other things to do on Ocracoke via a guided tour. Your local guides are usually as entertaining as they are knowledgeable, sharing intriguing information occasionally tinged with imaginative elements. Walking tours through the village explore the island’s history and early fishing village days. Tours of museums highlight key exhibits and provide immediate answers to all inquiries and musings. But don’t confine yourself to land – take a guided ecotour aboard a kayak or standup paddleboard to see and learn about the area’s maritime flora and fauna. And if you really want to venture off the beaten path, guided tours through a deserted island uncover its mysterious pasts.
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Tours 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
Tours 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
Tours in Ocracoke
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Contributor
Family operated by native islanders possibly descended from pirates, these 90-minute, 1.5-mile walking tours are sure to entertain and educate. The tours explore either the Around Creek or Down Point areas of the island, leaving from the Village Craftsmen store on Howard Street at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday nights. Cost is $20 for ages 13 and older, $10 for ages 5 to 12 and free for ages 4 and younger. Space is limited, and online reservations are required.
Family operated by native islanders possibly descended from pirates, these 90-minute, 1.5-mile walking tours are sure to entertain and educate. The tours explore either the Around Creek or Down Point areas of the island, leaving from the Village Craftsmen store on Howard Street at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday nights. Cost is $20 for ages 13 and older, $10 for ages 5 to 12 and...read more
Family operated by native islanders possibly descended from pirates, these 90-minute, 1.5-mile walking tours are...read more
Tours 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
Tours in Ocracoke
Brothers Rudy and Donald Austin, both former ferry captains, offer boat tours to historic Portsmouth Island. Departing daily from Silver Lake Harbor at the dock shared by the Watermen's Museum, the Austins are excellent guides for local history as well. You can explore the historic village or beach or both. All trips are weather permitting. The Austins are also happy to work with special event...read more
Tours in Ocracoke
Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Contributor
Ride the Wind provides a myriad of rentals and experiences to help you enjoy Ocracoke from the water. Stop by for rentals of kayaks, standup paddleboards, surfboards, skimboards and bodyboards – and for the first time they are offering Priority bikes! Ride the Wind's experiences include guided kayak eco-tours and SUP yoga during from spring through the fall as well as surf camp and private lessons in the summer; advance reservations are required for experiences. Stop by their rental stand across the street from the surf shop, and they will help set you up with everything you need for an epic vacation.
Ride the Wind provides a myriad of rentals and experiences to help you enjoy Ocracoke from the water. Stop by for rentals of kayaks, standup paddleboards, surfboards, skimboards and bodyboards – and for the first time they are offering Priority bikes! Ride the Wind's experiences include guided kayak eco-tours and SUP yoga during from spring through the fall as well as surf camp and private lessons...read more
Ride the Wind provides a myriad of rentals and experiences to help you enjoy Ocracoke...read more
Tours in Ocracoke
Capt. Rob Temple will take you for sunset cruises, 1.5-hour sails, private charters and weddings at sea on the 32’ schooner Windfall II (for up to six passengers). You can sign up for any of these excursions by phoning for a reservation or stopping by the Community Square docks. The tour leaves the harbor and sails into Pamlico Sound to Teach's Hole, where Blackbeard was...read more
