"Ocracoke Island" a Ocracoke Travel Page by TimDaoust

I have been to Ocracoke, three times for the past few years, always in June. It's not only a great place for a get away but the island has a history and a personality that charm you from the moment you get off the boat. Life is different out here. The locals seem to be all fishermen or otherwise they work at the many businesses that thrive on the tourists that come here. It can be fun to just sit on the docks at Smacnally's or hang out at Ocracoke Coffee House and just listen to the locals and people watch, wondering what it must be like to live so secluded from everything. There are several local music groups to that play here at different venues, the Deepwater Theater being one of the most known. There is a school and a health clinic, a bank and several variety stores where the locals buy their groceries. One realizes that this is not just a tourist destination, it is a village where life goes on as usual, even though they have only one restaurant that is open year round.

There is plenty to do here besides history lessons and touristy shops. You can rent kayaks and paddle the harbor, you can go deep sea fishing on chartered boats, you can eat seafood with the locals, you can get fresh Maine lobsters at Howard's Pub, seriously flown in from Maine every day. (There's an airstrip across the street) There's a lot of nature to discover as most of the island is part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Hatteras Island is not far away, an easy day trip. The ferry to Hatteras is free.

The best part is camping on the dunes. There are also plenty of hotels and B&B's to stay at in the village. Here is a good map of the village that has places to stay, things to do, places to eat.