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Historic Marker of Fort Ocracoke

This marker is a little hard to find, but it's worth seeking out. It's on a grassy patch behind the National Park Service Visitor Center and next to the boat ramp. Park the car and walk out to the sound and you'll see it. The marker commemorates Fort Ocracoke, the remnants of which lie submerged in Ocracoke Inlet toward Portsmouth Island. The fort was constructed by volunteers beginning in May 1861, on the day North Carolina seceded from the Union to join the Confederacy. One side of the marker lists all the men from Ocracoke and Portsmouth islands who were killed in the Civil War. It is located at Irvin Garrish Highway, behind the National Park Service Visitor Center.

Stargaze

Did you know that Ocracoke has no traffic lights, no billboards, minimal traffic and very few public exterior lights (streets can be dark!). With minimal light pollution and very little air pollution, Ocracoke is the ideal place for stargazing. Whether you are on the beach under a clear night sky or on your deck, there will be nothing between you and the heavens. You'll be amazed at what you see. Ocracoke is a great place to bring your telescope or a star chart with you on vacation!

Go Scuba Diving To View Underwater Shipwrecks and Sea Life

The Outer Banks is otherwise known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" because of the more than 100 shipwrecks that have remains on the ocean floor between Corolla and Ocracoke. Wreckage from these ships is located at various depths in the ocean, and a great way to see them is by going scuba diving.

Visit the Horses at the Ocracoke Pony Pens

Housed in a 180-acre pasture located just off Highway 12 on Ocracoke Island, the horses that live in the Ocracoke Pony Pens are a popular attraction. Maintained by the National Park Service, the once wild horses are a large part of the island's history. In the past, the herd of wild horses ranged from 200 to 500. Much like the Corolla Wild Horses, it is believed that these horses arrived on Ocracoke by swimming ashore from Spanish shipwrecks off the coast. When you make your trip to Ocracoke Island, don't forget to stop and visit the Ocracoke Pony Pens!

Take a Photography Adventure with Your Camera

Instead of purchasing postcards to take home with you as souvenirs of your Ocracoke vacation, take a photography adventure with your own camera. Whether you choose to photograph the lighthouse, different species of birds, sunrises and sunsets, historic homes, boats or any of the other many highlights of Ocracoke, the natural beauty is sure to come through in your photographs. You can take your original photographs home and show them to all of your friends, or frame them and hang them in your home or office so you will always have a reminder of your stay!

Get a Beach Family Portrait

The picture perfect backdrop of Ocracoke's beaches provide the ideal setting for a family portrait. The Atlantic Ocean's jeweled tones against soft, light sand with dune grasses and sea oats waving behind you ... can't you just see it? There are several Ocracoke photographers available to capture that special portrait of family or friends.

Go Horseback Riding on the Beach

You've seen the movies with people riding horses on the beach. Why not try it for yourself during your vacation on Ocracoke? Share a ride with an experienced guide and bring a camera to capture the experience.

Have a Beach Campfire

A great way to relax and see the stars is to have a beach campfire. Take your family down to the beach just before sunset and set up your chairs, refreshments and firewood. If you would like, bring a few roasting sticks and some marshmallows. Once the sun goes down and the stars come out, you will be amazed at the view. Enjoy the stars (and the marshmallows!). Be sure to check the National Park Service website or stop by the NPS Visitors Center before planning your beach campfire.

Watch Wildlife

On Ocracoke, the wildlife is plentiful. You can see turtles, dolphins, otters, along with many different species of birds, including the American Oystercatcher and the ever popular Brown Pelican. Not to miss while visiting Ocracoke are the famous ponies. The ponies are thought to be descendents of horses from sailing vessels shipwrecked on the shoals. Once left to roam on their own, they are now cared for by the National Park Service where you can view them at "the pony pasture" located 7 miles north of the village.

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.