Ocracoke Harbor Inn is a stay on Ocracoke, the most remote and most charming corner of the Outer Banks. The island lies south of Hatteras Island and is reached by ferry or by air, which keeps the pace slow and the crowds smaller than on the northern beaches. Most visitors come for a day, ride the ferry and head back, but sleeping on the island is a different experience: you see the village after the day-trippers have left, watch the harbor at sunset and wake up with time to explore before the first ferry of the morning brings the crowds. For travelers who want the quiet side of the Outer Banks, it is the kind of base that makes the long drive worthwhile.
Ocracoke is built around its harbor, Silver Lake, and the village that wraps around it. The oldest working lighthouse in North Carolina is a short walk or bike ride away, the wild-pony history of the island and the Blackbeard legends give the place its character, and the village has small shops, seafood restaurants and ice cream stands that are easy to enjoy on foot. A stay at an inn near the harbor puts you in the middle of this, although the exact location, the view and the style of rooms are details to confirm when you book.
Getting there is part of the trip. The free state ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke runs across the inlet, and its timetable and waits change with the season and the weather. Allow time for the crossing, especially on summer weekends, when queues can be long, and check the current schedule before you set out.
After storms, NC 12 on Hatteras Island can flood or be covered with sand, so give yourself a margin on the day you travel and consider a flexible booking in hurricane season. Visitors without a car can also come by passenger ferry or by air, so ask the inn about arrival options.
On the island itself, you will probably leave the car parked. Walking and cycling are the natural ways to get around the village, and the beach on the Atlantic side is a short ride away. Birdwatchers, anglers and anyone who enjoys a slow, outdoorsy day will find plenty to do, and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore stretches across the island, so pair your stay with time on the sand. Services are limited compared with the mainland, so plan meals, bring cash and book dinner in busy weeks.
Who it suits
Couples, history-minded travelers, photographers, birdwatchers and anyone who wants the Outer Banks without the traffic. It is less suited to travelers who want large resort facilities or short drive times to northern attractions such as the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Book early for summer and holiday weekends, since island lodging is limited. Ask about parking, pets, minimum stays, breakfast and cancellation terms, and check current amenities directly with the inn when you book.
Why stay here
- ✓Ocracoke Island location
- ✓Near Silver Lake harbor (check when you book)
- ✓Short walk or bike ride to the village
- ✓Close to the Ocracoke lighthouse
- ✓Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches nearby
- ✓Parking (check when you book)
- ✓Breakfast (check when you book)
- ✓Air conditioning and Wi-Fi (check when you book)
Good questions
How do I get to Ocracoke?+
By the free Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry, by passenger ferry or by air. Check the current ferry schedule before you travel.
Do I need a car on the island?+
Not necessarily. The village is easy to explore on foot or by bike, but bring a car if you are arriving by ferry from Hatteras.
Is it a good base for the whole Outer Banks?+
No. It suits a quiet island stay, and the northern attractions are a long drive away.
