Ocracoke Island North Carolina

Many people including many people native to North Carolina don't realize all that Ocracoke Island has to offer. Its part of the Hatteras National Seashore and it is a breath taking beautiful place to visit. I know I just love the Island and walking along the beaches of Ocracoke Island. Its not at all unusual even in summer to walk long distances along the beaches of Ocracoke Island only to suddenly discover that there's not another person in sight.

Did you know that the infamous Pirate Blackbeard was killed here in a Naval battle on November 22 1718. And some people claim Blackbeard continues to wander around Ocracoke Island to this present day. Or at least they say his ghost does. He's supposedly still looking for his head that got cut off back in 1718.

Located at the southern end of the island of Ocracoke is the village of Ocracoke. It is a beautiful quaint little village with a lot of history. There are close to 250 historic structures that remain today on the Island of Ocracoke.

Today the island of Ocracoke welcomes visitors to a long list of fun and adventurous things to do on a island that time seems to have forgot. A great part of the island looks exactly like it looked when the first English and Spanish explorers landed here. There's even a herd of wild horses on the island that are said to be descended from Spanish Mustangs that washed ashore here from shipwrecks.

If you love history , scenic shorelines and beautiful beaches you'll love Ocracoke island. Every time I go there I find myself not wanting to leave. And I'm sure you'll be the same way. If you can at all plan your trip so that you drive down to the southern end of Hatteras Island and take the state ferry from there over to Ocracoke Island.

Ocracoke Island has one of the more interesting Ghost Walks of almost any place I know. If your interested in ghosts , and history you want to make sure that you go on one of the Ocracoke Ghost Walks.

Call 252-928-6300 between 10am & 4pm weekdays to find out exactly when the next ghost walk will be taking place. And be sure to ask them about the woman who kept her own coffin on her front porch.

The Outer Banks Islands were quite often visited by Native Americans and there was said to have been at one time a large Native American Village on Hatteras Island.

Giovanni da Verrazzano first described the Island of Ocracoke and the area in 1524. However Verrazzano and the people with him couldn't get through the torturous channels leading into Pamlico Sound and Verrazzano thought that China lay just on the other side.

Ocracoke Island was not permanently settled by English settlers until 1750. Before that it had been a haven for Pirates and even the infamous Pirate Blackbeard lived and died near Ocracoke Island.

Several years including 2007 the beaches of Ocracoke Island have been named America's best beaches. And several years recently Ocracoke has been named to the number 2 and number 3 spots. Ocracoke's beaches are oh so special and you just have to visit to see how great the beaches of Ocracoke are.

I think that Ocracoke Island is one of the most beautiful and special places there is and I hope you will consider a visit to Ocracoke Island soon.

Ocracoke Island Restaurants and Cafes

Here is a list of some of Ocracoke's Restaurants and Cafes. While there are more these are the ones I can strongly recommend to everyone.

Back Porch Restaurant -- (252) 928-6401

Café Atlantic -- (252) 928-4861

Creekside Café - (252) 928-3606

Dajio - 252-928-7119 www.dajiorestaurant.com

Fig Tree Deli and Sweet Tooth -- (252) 928-3481

Jason’s Restaurant - (252) 928-3434

sMacNally’s - (252) 928-9999

The Flying Melon Cafe -- (252) 928-2533

And one of the best ways to get around and see the Island of Ocracoke is by bicycle. And you can rent a bicycle on Ocracoke Island and really enjoy the care free atmosphere on Ocracoke Island.

Bike Rentals @ The Slushy Stand, D-4, All sizes, 928-1878 @ “T” at the harbor.

Ocracoke Island has some of if not the best seafood in the world.

If you love seafood then your in the right place. Ocracoke Island is close to the Gulf Stream and in case you don't know that's where some of the best seafood in the world comes from. So be sure to dine on seafood while your on Ocracoke Island.

And if you've always wanted to take that one great fishing trip in your life or give your kids a memory that will last a life time then consider going on a day fishing trip from Ocracoke Island.

Have you ever been to Ocracoke Island on the North Carolina Outer Banks? Please post your comments below now.