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Ocracoke harbor
Lighthouse
Silver Lake anchorage
Back Porch Restaurant
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Ocracoke, located on the barrier island of the same name,
is about as close as you'll get to Out Island cruising in
North Carolina. The anchorage is well protected, bordered
by beautiful beaches, a marine forest, and an ancient lighthouse.
The village offers an assortment of dining opportunities from
pizza to gourmet selections. Groceries and supplies can also
be purchased on the harbor waterfront. The village exudes
a certain Cape Cod ambiance, peppered with pirate legends
and a rich nautical heritage, for it was here that Blackbeard
the Pirate met his death off Teach's Hole, the channel that
now bears his name (Edward Teach).
Cycling is the preferred means of touring the village, and
you can rent bicycles from several shops. The British Cemetery
and the lighthouse are two popular attractions. If you have
the time, visit Portsmouth Island across Ocracoke Inlet. This
village is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore and
was once the largest settlement on the Outer Banks. Now, it
serves as a tribute to the men and women who have struggled
against the shifting sands and tides of the Outer Banks.
The first light station was built on the island in 1803,
but fifteen years later it was destroyed by lightning. In
1823 it was replaced with the current tower. The original
fourth-order lens was destroyed during the Civil War, but
a new lens installed in 1864 remains today.
Ocracoke Island has almost 15 miles of unspoiled beaches
where you can walk for hours without seeing anyone. The light
watches over Silver Lake, and the sleepy town of Ocracoke.
The island is accessible by boat only. You can walk up close
to the light, but you cannot enter. And, although you are
discouraged from doing so, you can walk behind the lighthouse
and see the old graveyard.
If you go to Ocracoke, don't expect fast food and ferris
wheels. Anchor out or tie up at the public docks but in any
case, try the Back Porch restaurant, or check out one of the
many other fine restaurants in Ocracoke.
- Eddie Jones
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