Ocracoke Island

Facts & Figures

County: Hyde

Population: 948

Zip Code: 27960

Area: 9.6 square miles (8.6 square miles of land, 640 acres of water)

Resources:

• Ferry System: https://www.ncdot.gov/divisions/ferry/Pages/default.aspx
• Lodging: https://ocracokeguide.com/accommodations
• Ocracoke Light Station: https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/ols.htm
• Teach’s Hole Blackbeard Exhibit and Pirate Shop: https://www.teachshole.com

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Overview

Ocracoke Island is a remote barrier island off the coast of North Carolina and is part of the Outer Banks region. It is accessible by ferry only, which makes it a very remote and special place. It was the location where the famous pirate Blackbeard died in 1718. It has a rich history dating back to the Algonquian-speaking Indians. The main economies are fishing and tourism. The island was devastated by Hurricane Dorian in 2019, but NC-12 has since reopened to the general public.

Our Experience

My family has been to Ocracoke Island a few times since relocating to North Carolina over six years ago to visit friends when they traveled down here from Northeast Ohio for vacation. They were always so generous in renting a house big enough to accommodate our family, so we always had a place to stay.

They would show us around the island and visit all of the places that make Ocracoke Island so special. We would bring our bikes and bike trailer for our oldest two kids when they were younger and we would ride around the island. The entire Ocracoke Island experience is incredible, from riding the ferry down from Hatteras Island, to driving down NC-12, to exploring the Ocracoke Light Station, to driving a four wheel drive truck on the beach. Ocracoke Island is a special place like no other in North Carolina!

With tourism being a main economy for Ocracoke Island and it being devastated by Hurricane Dorian in 2019, I would strongly encourage anyone exploring options for vacations this summer to seriously consider Ocracoke Island for your next vacation.