The 45-minute ferry ride from Hatteras is half the fun of visiting Ocracoke Island. Our family’s annual summer vacations included a day trip to the island for fresh seafood and a visit to see the Ocracoke ponies. Located on the southernmost edge of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Ocracoke has consistently been voted one of the Best Beaches in the country.
Ocracoke Village is a hub of action with its charming boutiques and waterfront restaurants. Measuring 9.5 square miles, it is the perfect getaway from the mainland to enjoy the town’s laid-back atmosphere and island attitude.
One of my favorite activities on Ocracoke Island is to visit the Blackbeard Museum at Teach’s Hole. The kids loved reading about the island’s pirate history and learned more about the life of Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. They were fascinated by the larger-than-life-sized Blackbeard wearing his pirate’s regalia and the replica of his ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge.
Blackbeard was known for terrorizing the Atlantic seas and the mention of his name would terrorize even the burliest of seamen. Standing nearly seven feet tall, his bushy beard was the deep dark color of night and it was said that he looked like the devil himself. Sinking and capturing ships along the coast, he made Ocracoke Island his home base, building a two-story house known as “Blackbeard’s Castle.” Present day maps still identify Teach’s Hole, which is where Blackbeard met his demise on November 22, 1718. Stabbed twenty-two times and shot five, Lt. Maynard ordered his decapitation and his body tied to Maynard’s ship, ending the Golden Age of Piracy.
Several 18th century residences along the village date back to the time of Blackbeard. The British Cemetery was established when British ships were sunk by German submarines along the shores of the island during World War II.
In 1998, Fort Ocracoke was discovered about two miles from Ocracoke Village. Previously constructed as a Confederate fortification for the War of 1812, the octagon-shaped structure was built on Beacon Island in Ocracoke Inlet. Destroyed by the hurricanes of 1933, the fort has submerged into the Ocracoke inlet, although a memorial marks it location.
Quite a few outdoor activities include kiteboarding at Kite Point Beach, fishing at the various inlets and hiking the nature trail at Springer’s Point, a favorite hideout for Blackbeard. We enjoyed finishing our active day at Ocracoke Harbor to gaze out on the fishing boats, sail boats and ferry transports running back and forth to the mainland. Before sunset, we found a seat at a local restaurant to watch the sun disappear into the horizon before taking the ferry back to the mainland.
Have you had the opportunity to visit Ocracoke Island? What was your favorite activity? I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my day visit to Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Blackbeard’s Exhibit at Teach’s Hole
935 Irvin Garrish Highway
PO Box 1718
Ocracoke, NC 27960
Telephone: 252 928 1718
- Admission Fee: Adults: $4 and Children, ages 7 to 12: $3 Children under seven are free with an adult and senior rates, 64 and over, are $3.
- Hours: Open Wednesday through Saturday 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM.
- Amenities: Gift shop and exhibits
- Length of Visit: 1 hour
- Tips for Your Visit: The museum is only open in the afternoon. Small children may be fearful of the Blackbeard figure.
Where to Stay:
The Castle B&B
155 Silver Lake Drive
Ocracoke, NC 27960
Telephone: 252 928 3505
Where to Eat:
SmacNally’s Bar & Grill
180 Irvin Garrish Hwy
Ocracoke, NC 27960
Telephone: 252 928 9999
One of my favorite pastimes in the Outer Banks is to order peel ‘n eat shrimp. I ordered a half a pound and some fried okra. I was in southern cuisine heaven.
What to Eat:
- Seafood along Irvin Garrish Highway for large shrimp in July when they are in season. You can purchase them either plain or seasoned. Check out Ocracoke Seafood Company at 416 Irvin Garrish Highway.
What to Read:
- Blackbeard the Pirate: A Reappraisal of His Life and Times, by Robert Earl Lee
Photo Guide for Ocracoke Island
- The Outer Banks Scenic Highway that runs along the island for photos of the wild mustangs
- Ocracoke Harbor
- Ocracoke Island Lighthouse