There are no chain accommodations on Ocracoke Island
. The options here range from homey bed and breakfasts to elegant inns and from mom-and-pop motels to luxurious condominium-style suites overlooking the water.
Is Ocracoke Island worth visiting?
This secluded and tranquil island offers a quiet escape to untouched shores and a charming town
well worth exploring
! For more ways to make the most of your time in the Outer Banks, be sure to download our complimentary Vacation Guide. It’s full of the best things to do and places to see in our area!
What is special about Ocracoke Island?
Ocracoke Island is famous for its
exceptional shelling
and is one of the best shelling destinations on the Outer Banks.
How do I spend a day on Ocracoke Island?
- Take a Scenic Ride on the Ferry.
- Mosey Around the Ocracoke Village.
- Snap a Photograph of the Ocracoke Lighthouse.
- Explore the Island by Bike or Golf Cart.
Do you have to take a ferry to Ocracoke?
The only way to get to Ocracoke is by boat (or small plane)
. Free ferries from Hatteras Island run continuously throughout the summer season to Ocracoke Island; wait times may average one to two hours.
Does anyone live on Ocracoke Island?
There are less than 1,000 year-round residents in Ocracoke
. In the summer, this population swells to thousands of day-trippers and vacationers. The town-wide speed limit through Ocracoke Islands is 25 mph.
How long is ferry ride to Ocracoke?
The vehicle ferry ride takes
approximately one hour
. Once you arrive at the Ocracoke North Ferry Terminal, Ocracoke Village is approximately a 13-mile drive south on NC-12. The Ocracoke Express is a passenger ferry that runs between the Hatteras Ferry Terminal and the Ocracoke Ferry Terminal.
How do you get around Ocracoke Island?
- WALK. You can walk to most places within the village and on the outskirts. …
- BIKE. Bring your own or rent one while you’re here. …
- MOTOR. Golf carts are the other preferred mode of transport on wheels. …
- TRAM. Hop on the free tram service that runs around the village. …
- OFF-ROAD.
Does Ocracoke Island have a beach?
Known as the Pearl of Outer Banks,
Ocracoke Island has miles of wild, secluded beaches
. A special part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Ocracoke beaches feel far away from the rest of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. You can easily access the beach just outside of Ocracoke Village.
Why is it called Ocracoke?
The earliest record of the island’s name, on a map made by English explorer John White in 1585, designates the inlet as “Wokokon.” Subsequent spellings include “Woccocock,” “Oakacock” and “Okercock.”
The name derives from the Woccon tribe of Native Americans, who lived in the mainland tidewater and established fishing
…
How many residents live on Ocracoke?
Ocracoke is a city located in Hyde County North Carolina. Ocracoke has a
2020 population of 706
. Ocracoke is currently declining at a rate of 0.00% annually and its population has decreased by -25.53% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 948 in 2010.
How long does it take to drive across Ocracoke?
It takes
about an hour
of just sitting and waiting to get across Hatteras Inlet to Ocracoke Island, and during that time you can just feel yourself slipping into that aforementioned “island time.” From the mainland the ride is even longer – more than two hours.
How long is the ferry ride from Ocracoke to Cedar Island?
The total crossing time for the Ocracoke – Cedar Island Ferry from either terminal is
2 hours and 15 minutes
.
Can you drive on the beach in Ocracoke?
Driving on the beach is permitted at a number of beaches on Ocracoke Island, year round
. Beach drivers must obtain a beach driving permit first from the National Park Service website, or in person at the ranger station near the Ocracoke Campground.
How long is the ferry ride from Ocracoke to Swan Quarter?
If you’re making a day trip to Ocracoke, plan to arrive at the Hatteras Ferry landing as early as possible since it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The Swan Quarter Ferry (
2 hours, 45 minutes
) and Cedar Island Ferry (2 hours, 10 minutes) routes are tolled, and reservations are required.
Is there a bridge to Ocracoke Island?
Today, the
lack of a bridge
lends the Ocracoke a remote feel, even though it’s only a few miles from Hatteras. People come to Ocracoke to get away from the world, and the island supports that experience perfectly.
Are Ocracoke ferries running?
Operations of the Ocracoke / Hatteras Ferry
The Ocracoke / Hatteras Ferry departs from both the Hatteras and Ocracoke terminals daily, including all major holidays, from 5:00 a.m. until midnight
.
How much does it cost to live on Ocracoke Island?
| COST OF LIVING Ocracoke USA | Overall 81.9 100 | Grocery 95.7 100 | Health 116.9 100 | Housing 58.8 100 |
|---|
Is Ocracoke a good place to live?
Rich in history and natural beauty, Ocracoke Island offers miles of uncrowded beaches. For a family looking for the perfect place for a second home or to call home,
it is not just where you live, but how you live, play and unwind
.
Is Ocracoke in the Outer Banks?
The island of Ocracoke is a part of the Outer Banks of North Carolina
. At various times throughout recorded history the barrier island now known as Ocracoke has been part of Hatteras Island.
How many cars can fit on a ferry?
The car deck on each ferry can accommodate
approximately 100 standard sized vehicles
. The specific number of vehicles on any one voyage may fluctuate depending on the length of the vehicles booked on that particular voyage.
Is there a bridge from Hatteras to Ocracoke?
Among the Outer Banks’ bridges,
the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge
is instrumental in connecting visitors to Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. Originally opened in 1963, Bonner Bridge crosses Oregon Inlet and deposits travelers on northern Hatteras Island in an area known as Pea Island.
Can you ride ATV on Ocracoke Island?
ATVs –
ATVs are not allowed anywhere along the Ocracoke Island beaches
. ATVS are permitted on neighboring Portsmouth Island, however, and visitors can access and explore the shoreline via Portsmouth Island ATV Excursions, which offers guided Portsmouth Island tours that launch from the Silver Lake Harbor.
