Discover the Best Family Vacation Spot on North Carolina’s Secluded Ocracoke Island

Editor’s Note: Travel might be complicated right now, but use our inspirational trip ideas to plan ahead for your next bucket list adventure.

After months of working from home due to shutdowns caused by the coronavirus, my family was eager to find a secluded beach destination to safely get away for the summer. We settled on Ocracoke Island, a relatively remote spot along the Outer Banks in North Carolina.

Exploring Ocracoke Island

Located at the southernmost point of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Ocracoke is only accessible by a free ferry, private plane, or boat. With 90 percent of the island owned by the National Park Service (NPS), visitors will find pristine beaches with minimal human influence or development. The 16 miles of untouched beach serves as the island’s primary attraction, providing an ideal summer getaway away from crowds. In fact, it was ranked the second-best beach in the nation for 2020 by one of the world’s most eminent beach experts, surpassing destinations like San Diego, Oahu, and Miami.

We were inspired to visit after recalling a brief day trip we took to the island during a family vacation in Kitty Hawk last year. Due to limited accessibility and expansive stretches of sand, we knew we could safely maintain our distance from others and avoid the crowded beaches seen in places like Florida and California. Consequently, we loaded our car with beach essentials and a cooler full of easy-to-make meals, driving 350 miles from the Washington, D.C. area toward North Carolina. On our journey, we listened to Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale, “Treasure Island,” which is about pirates, treasure maps, and buried treasure.

The Journey to Ocracoke

Five hours into our journey, we arrived at the Cape Hatteras ferry terminal, where we parked our car among a line of others waiting to travel south toward Ocracoke. We grabbed a quick bite to eat before driving onto the ferry, enjoying the ride that lasted less than an hour.

Once we reached the Ocracoke terminal, we drove for 15 minutes along the scenic but sparse highway toward the island’s village, which is still recovering from the 2019 devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian. Nevertheless, numerous homes are available for rent, and the town has united to warmly welcome tourists. Our family chose to stay at a charming sound-side Airbnb, which provided ample space to relax on rainy days, as well as a kitchen where we cooked simple meals together (visitors can shop at one of two grocery stores located in the village). For those with RVs or an adventurous spirit, the NPS Ocracoke campground charges $28 a night, allowing visitors to witness the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean.

Activities During Our Stay

Looking at the forecast, we anticipated thunderstorms and rain showers for the first two days of our stay. However, we remained undeterred and brought puzzles, books, movies, and games to entertain ourselves in the meantime.

During sunny days, we ventured to the beach. There are six parking areas along the main road that provide access to the beach. Those with 4×4 vehicles can use the off-road vehicle (ORV) ramps to drive along the beach (you will need to purchase either a $120 annual or $50 10-day permit first). If you don’t have an off-road vehicle but would like to ride along the beach, you can rent one for a few hours or days (the permit is included in the price). Additionally, you can also rent bikes to explore the village or ride along the paths leading to the beach.

To fully enjoy our time on the beach, we packed towels, sunscreen, a Neso tent, and a cooler filled with snacks and water (remember to pack out what you pack in!). We also brought along entertainment options such as sandcastle molds, frisbees, kites, and books, as well as bug spray—since Ocracoke is a national park, it is wise to bring spray to repel biting flies and mosquitoes.

Island Experiences Beyond the Beach

When we sought a break from the beach, we engaged in these charming island experiences:

• Ocracoke Lighthouse: Visit North Carolina’s oldest operating lighthouse, built in 1823. It is the second-oldest operational lighthouse in the nation; the first being the Sandy Hook, New Jersey lighthouse, built in 1764.
• Ocracoke Ponies: Make a quick stop to view these descendants of Spanish mustangs that were shipwrecked offshore several hundred years ago.
• Ocracoke Harbor: Located in the town’s village, you can walk around Silver Lake, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard in the calm waters, or join a boat tour to fish or explore neighboring Portsmouth Island.
• Springer’s Point Preserve: This 120-acre preserve features a maritime forest, wet grasslands, salt marshes, and a beach facing the Pamlico Sound, known for being pirate Blackbeard’s favorite haunt.
• Stargazing: Due to minimal light pollution on Ocracoke, located 24 miles from the mainland, it offers excellent opportunities to observe constellations, planets, and the Milky Way on moonless nights.

Dining on Ocracoke Island

On days when we opted not to cook, we enjoyed dining at several village restaurants. While some are still recovering from Hurricane Dorian and recent shutdowns due to COVID-19, many remain open, encouraging masks in public spaces, social distancing, and frequent hand-washing. For a pleasant alfresco atmosphere, consider visiting Eduardo’s Taco Stand (open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.). If you’re in search of craft beer and classic bar food, head to 1718 Brewing Ocracoke (open daily noon to 10 p.m.). Another great option is SmacNally’s Waterfront Bar and Grill (open for takeout and dine-in 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.), where you can relish local seafood while watching kayakers and boaters in the marina. For a quick breakfast treat, visit Ocracoke Coffee Company (open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for coffee, smoothies, and pastries. Lastly, no beach vacation is complete without ice cream; don’t forget to stop by Sweet Tooth and Fig Tree Bakery & Deli (open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) for local sweets and treats.