Pirates Quay - 3 North (WP3N)

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Ocracoke Nightlife

For fun and nightlife, there are many great places to eat that also offer live music in the evenings. Some offer music during dinner and others have bands "after hours." In the summer, you can even find karaoke and dancing. All of the establishments offering nighttime entertainment are located on Highway 12, which runs through the center of the village.

View Locally Made Decoys

Some local residents continue to carry on Ocracoke culture by carving decoys. While once used for hunting, many of the locally made decoys today are sold as collectables and cherished as works of art. Some carvers display their work from home while others have their work displayed in local shops.

Visit the Historic British Cemetery

Located on Ocracoke, the British Cemetery is a memorial cemetery for the crew of the British vessel HMS Bedfordshire. On May 11, 1942, a German submarine torpedoed and sank this 170-foot British ship that had four officers and 33 enlisted soldiers on board. All men on board the ship perished and eventually four of the bodies were found on shore by locals. An Ocracoke resident gave Britain a 12 by 14 foot section of land next to an island cemetery and buried the soldiers there. Today, the cemetery is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. A ceremony is performed onsite each year on the anniversary of the tragedy.

Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour

The Ocracoke Walking Tour can help you discover every nook and cranny of this scenic village. This book is designed to help you discover the joys of this magical island. The first part of this book guides you along the Ocracoke Walking Tour, a specially mapped out and well planned tour throughout this charming village. The second part of the book, the Ocracoke Island Guide, gives you the lowdown on all the great attractions, activities, restaurants, shops and accommodations on the entire island. If you're planning a visit to the island or are already here and preparing for a tour, you're in for a real treat. Have fun exploring the history of Ocracoke!

Make a Friend, Talk To a Local

Strike up a conversation with a local, especially an older one, and you might be surprised how much you can learn about the island. Also known as Ocockers, the native islanders are a tight knit bunch. There is a real sense of community on Ocracoke. You're sure to notice the Ocracoke "brogue," the famous local dialect that has evolved over the past 250 years. Sit for a spell and let a real Ococker tell you about some of the historical and cultural lore of Ocracoke.

Take a Guided Ghost and Historic Walking Tour

Delight in Ocracoke folklore and local legend, as you are led through the winding roads past reportedly haunted houses and into the graveyards of Ocracoke's founding families. Shipwrecks, hurricanes, the Civil and World Wars have all left their share of ghosts on Ocracoke Island.

Go Hiking on the Hammock Hills Nature Trail

Located north of Ocracoke Village, the 3/4 mile Hammock Hills Nature Trail will take you on a 30-minute walk through various environments found on the island, including sand dunes, maritime forest and a salt marsh. Signs along the trail teach about the Ocracoke weather, nature elements and various plant life. You will want to remember your camera and insect repellent. The trailhead is located just across Highway 12 from the Ocracoke National Park Service Campground.

Go Beachcombing For Shells

Beachcombing for shells, also called shelling, on the beaches of Ocracoke is an activity enjoyed by all. The best times to look for shells are after a high tide, after a storm, in the morning and during the winter months. When picking up shells from the sand, make sure you check first to make sure nothing is still alive inside the shell. If the shell you choose is still home to a live sea creature, set it back in the sand and keep searching.

Visit the Deserted Portsmouth Island

Portsmouth Island is a small, deserted island just south of Ocracoke Island. Though once inhabited, now Portsmouth Island has no residents and is accessible only by boat. There is a 2-mile trail that leads from the village to the beach. Wilderness camping is allowed, but don't forget your insect repellent! For more information on the Island, contact Cape Lookout National Seashore at (252) 728-2250.

Visit the Ocracoke Island Visitor Center

The majority of land on Ocracoke is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and is publicly owned and administered by the National Park Service. The NPS Visitor Center, located at the southernmost end of Highway 12 near the Cedar Island and Swan Quarter ferry docks, is a clearinghouse for all types of island and national seashore information. You'll find an information desk, helpful staff, a bookshop, free maps, informational brochures and exhibits about the island. From Memorial Day through Labor Day three or four ranger-led programs are offered daily. The visitor center is open year-round. It is located at 38 Irvin Garrish Highway. For information call (252) 928-4531.