How Long Is Ocracoke Island?

Ocracoke Island is only

16 miles

long and anywhere from 3 miles to less than a half-mile wide. The north end of the island is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and is undeveloped.

How deep is the water around Ocracoke Island?

The controlling depth is about

5 feet

through the swash channel to Pamlico Sound. Some local vessels use this channel as a short cut, but Big Foot Slough Channel is the recommended channel. The town of Ocracoke is 3.5 miles inside the inlet.

What is special about Ocracoke Island?

When it comes to gorgeous beaches and laid-back charm, Ocracoke Island is often considered the gem of the Outer Banks. Accessible only by boat, this small island has been separated from the rest of the world for centuries, and as a result, has

one of the most unique beach atmospheres found anywhere along the coastline

.

Is Ocracoke Island walkable?

WALK.

You can walk to most places within the village and on the outskirts

. Even the Lifeguard Beach is only a 2-mile walk from the village down a wide paved path.

Is Ocracoke 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!

Do you need a car on Ocracoke?

The north end of the island is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and is undeveloped. When you get off the ferry from Hatteras, you drive past 13 miles of open dunes, maritime forest and marshland before you see the village. This is why

you need a car on Ocracoke

.

Are there alligators on Ocracoke Island?

The region has since been retired from the annual “Best Beaches” list.

There are no recorded alligators in the sound

, but the region is home to thousands of migrating birds, deer, reptiles, and the famed Ocracoke Banker horses, or Ocracoke Wild Ponies.

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.

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 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.

Are there wild horses on Ocracoke Island?

Some of the most popular Ocracoke locals are the Wild Ponies

, which are protected in a secluded 180 acre area enclosure on the soundside of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, but can still be enjoyed by anyone passing through the island on NC Highway 12.

Who owns Ocracoke Island?

Ocracoke Island is one of several islands and peninsulas that make up North Carolina's Outer Banks. As the southern-most portion of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, most of the island is owned by the

United States National Park Service

.

Does Ocracoke have an airport?

Ocracoke Island Airport (FAA LID: W95) is a public use airport located one nautical mile (2 km) east of the central business district of Ocracoke, a town on Ocracoke Island in Hyde County, North Carolina, United States.

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.

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.

How do I spend a day in Ocracoke?

1. Take a Scenic Ride on the Ferry.
2. Mosey Around the Ocracoke Village.
3. Snap a Photograph of the Ocracoke Lighthouse.
4. Explore the Island by Bike or Golf Cart.

Is Ocracoke open to visitors 2021?

Ocracoke Island is open for all

amidst the waning COVID-19 pandemic and businesses have opened for the season.

How long does it take to drive the entire Outer Banks?

The entire trip – which includes the two ferries – can take

at least 5-6 hours

, so visitors will want to reserve a full day for exploring.

How do you get around Ocracoke Island?

Ocracoke Island offers golf carts, bicycles, and even parasails. There are lots of ways to get around the island. For those who like a motor and a top,

try a golf cart rental

.

Do you need a permit to drive on Ocracoke Island?

Visitors to Ocracoke that will be driving their off-road vehicle on the beach are

required to obtain an Off-Road Vehicle Use Permit from the National Park Service

.

Can you drive on Ocracoke Island?

Can you drive on the beach on Ocracoke Island?

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.

Does Ocracoke have snow?

Are the Outer Banks Safe?

There is crime on the Outer Banks

. There are drugs in the community. There is drunk driving, there is domestic violence, there are robberies. There are assaults.

Are there alot of sharks in the Outer Banks?

Atlantic sharpnose sharks are among the most common in North Carolina / Outer Banks waters

. The adults can reach 4 feet in length and are found during the summer and autumn. Chances of encountering a shark in North Carolina waters are very low.

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.