Take a Flightseeing Tour with Coastal HelicoptersCoastal Helicopters offers flightseeing tours, photography and videography flights over the beautiful Outer Banks. You will enjoy panoramic views from the sky with an FAA Certified Commercial Helicopter Pilot when you take your air tour with Coastal Helicopters. The helicopter is a Robinson R-44 Raven II and offers a safe, smooth ride to accompany the unparalleled views. A few attractions that can be seen from the air include Wright Brothers National Monument, Jockey's Ridge State Park, Wild Banker Ponies, Oregon Inlet, Cape Hatteras National Sewashore, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Bodie Island Lighthouse, and more! Call Coastal Helicopters today at 252-928-8074 for more information. Send Ocracoke Postcards To Your Friends and FamilyAre you the lucky one among your friends and family who got to take a trip to Ocracoke this year? Take an hour of your precious vacation time and send postcard notes to your loved ones. There are beautiful postcards sold at almost any local gift shop, gallery or grocery store and they are very affordable. Let them know you are thinking about them and that you wish they could be visiting Ocracoke with you. If they can see a postcard of how beautiful it is, maybe you can persuade them to come along with you on your next vacation! Come To One of Ocracoke's Annual EventsOcracoke has all sorts of celebrations and festivals, so schedule a visit to coincide with one of them and see what all the fun is about! Memorial Day weekend offers the Fire Department Pig Pickin, Auction and Dance. The Ocrafolk Music and Storytelling Festival has rapidly become the highlight of a spring visit. Ocracoke is also famous for its July 4th celebration. The Ocracoke Art Walk is traditionally held on the last Saturday of September, bringing all of Ocracoke's artist talent together in one place. Visit www.OcracokeGuide.com for more information. Teach Your Kids about the Pirate BlackbeardThere are many stories of pirates and buried treasure that are part of the unique history of the Outer Banks. The story of the notorious Pirate Blackbeard ended in Ocracoke in 1718 when he was killed in battle at Ocracoke Inlet. Throughout his "career" as a pirate, Blackbeard captured over 40 ships. Today, many businesses and streets in the area are named after Blackbeard. While you are on Ocracoke, teach your children the history of Blackbeard. Get a Beach Family PortraitThe 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 Surf Fishing on the BeachVisitors and locals to the Outer Banks share the popular sport of surf fishing. You will need to purchase a fishing license to go saltwater fishing in North Carolina. In addition, some species are regulated for size and limit. For more information about licenses and tag and release programs, contact the Division of Marine Fisheries at (252) 473-5734. Fish species that are common are dogfish, bluefish, pompano, striped bass, spanish mackerel, croaker, flounder, spot, trout and drum. Visit Springer's Point on Ocracoke IslandResidents and guests of Ocracoke Island are fortunate to share in the beauty of the Springer's Point Preserve. The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust enriches the coastal communities of North Carolina through the acquisition of open space and natural areas for conservation, education and the promotion of good land stewardship. Springer's Point offers more than 120 acres of maritime forest, tidal red cedar forest, salt marsh, tidal ponds, grasslands and sound front beaches. It has been designated as one of the state's significant natural heritage areas because of its unique maritime forest and importance to coastal birds. Springer's Point is open to the public. Visitor's are invited to enjoy paths through this unique maritime forest which lead you to soundfront beaches and include an area that overlooks the infamous Teach's Hole. Please plan to travel to the preserve by foot or bicycle. Parking is not available. Enjoy the Ocracoke Community CenterActivities may include anything from fundraisers, dances, musical performances, exercise classes or community meetings. Check local bulletin boards or the sign in front of the center for events. The Community Center can be rented for private parties or receptions. Get Married (Or Renew Your Vows) on the BeachEach year, hundreds of people have weddings on the beaches of the Outer Banks. With all of the vacation rental homes that are available for families and friends to rent, mixed with the unforgettable backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and Ocracoke's sand dunes and sea oats, it will be an unforgettable event. There are many local photographers, florists, wedding planners, entertainers and caterers that can assist with your planning. You will need to obtain a marriage license from Hyde County. If you are getting married on the beach, you will also need to obtain a permit from the National Park Service. Watch the Full Moon Rise and Look For Ghost Crabs at the BeachGo to the beach on a balmy, summer night and wait for the full moon to come up over the ocean. On a clear night, the full moon rising up over the horizon sometimes has an orange or red tint which is the light from the setting sun filtering through particles in the Earth's atmosphere and reflecting off the moon. It's absolutely beautiful hanging in the sky above the dark ocean waves. When the moonlight floods the beach and reflects brightly off the white sea foam, you will see dozens of ghost crabs skittering about. If the clouds are over the moon, bring a flashlight and see how many ghost crabs you can find! | Ocracoke RestaurantsHoward's Pub & Raw Bar Restaurant1175 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 The Back Porch Restaurant & Wine Bar 110 Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Pizza Company Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Howard's Pub & Raw Bar Restaurant 1175 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 The Slushy Stand & Bicycle Rentals 73 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Coffee Co. and Island Smoothie 226 Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Creekside Cafe 475 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Dajio 305 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Back Porch Lunchbox 747 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Sweet Tooth 1015 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Creekside Cafe 475 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Flying Melon Cafe 804 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke ShoppingAlbert Styron Store300 Lighthouse Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Pirate's Chest Gift Shop 11 Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Tree Top Studio & Sandy Hands Farm 402 Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Fig Tree Bakery & Delicatessen 1015 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Island Artworks 89 British Cemetery Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ride the Wind Surf & Kayak Shop 486 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Java Books 226 Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 The Olde Ocracoke Gathering Place Corner of Irvin Garrish Highway and School Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Photo 201 British Cemetery Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Zillie's Island Pantry 538 Back Road (Near British Cemetery Road) Ocracoke, NC 27960 Captain's Cargo Gift Shop 324 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 The Ocracoke Millwork Shop 74 Cedar Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke AttractionsJolly Roger Restaurant, Pub & Marina of Ocracoke396 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Preservation Society 49 Water Plant Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Island Lighthouse 1 Loop Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Teach's Hole Pirate Shop & Blackbeard Exhibit Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Anchorage Inn & Marina 205 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke ActivitiesPortsmouth Island Boat Tours278 Irvin Garrish Highway Community Square Docks Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Ghost & History Walk 170 Howard Street Ocracoke, NC 27960 Austin Boat Tours: Dolphin Cruises & Sunset Cruises 138 Loop Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Kitty Hawk Kites Irvin Garrish Highway Community Square Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Fire Department Bingo Back Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ride the Wind Surf & Kayak Shop 486 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 Morning Starr Beach Rides 1070 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 The Glass Bead 585 Irvin Garrish Highway Spencer's Market Ocracoke, NC 27960 Coastal Helicopters, LLC 158 Ocean View Road Ocracoke, NC 27960 Schooner Windfall Pirate Cruise 278 Irvin Garrish Highway Community Square Docks Ocracoke, NC 27960 Kitty Hawk Kites Irvin Garrish Highway Community Square Ocracoke, NC 27960 Ocracoke Youth Center 1037 Irvin Garrish Highway Ocracoke, NC 27960 |