This past weekend Andrew and I made the drive from New Jersey to North Carolina for a very special occasion!
Our friends Matt and Joe got married on Ocracoke and we had such a great time visiting the island.
Ocracoke is a 16-mile long island that is only accessible by ferry—while it’s not the easiest place to get to, it is absolutely worth the trip.
It has a charming, small-town feel where most residents drive golf carts rather than actual cars, and it features lots of great eateries, beaches, and places to relax.
We were able to explore the island in between wedding festivities, and I’m excited to share more in this Ocracoke guide if you’re planning a trip to the Outer Banks.
Ocracoke Guide: Best things to do on Ocracoke
Books to be Red
You guys know I love any excuse to visit and support a local book shop. so I knew that we were going to have to check out Books to Be Red in Ocracoke.
This cute, independent bookstore had everything you could want and some things you didn’t even know you needed (they also share the space with a pottery shop!)
They had some really cute displays inside to showcase different genres of books, including a shelf of books that take place in the Outer Banks and even a #BookTok section.
I purchased Carley Fortune’s new book, Our Perfect Storm, which also happens to be our June book club pick here.
The owner was really sweet and said she’s had the shop for over 30 years!
Ocracoke Coffee Company
After the night of welcome drinks for Matt and Joe’s wedding, the Ocracoke Coffee Company saved my life on Saturday morning.
I ended up ordering an iced vanilla latte with whole milk, which was absolutely delicious.
They also sell tasty pastries and cute t-shirts here.
There was plenty of seating both inside and outside, and if you come back in the evening you can visit The Mini Bar next door!
1718 Brewery
Our very first stop on the island as a reward for finally arriving to Ocracoke after the long drive had to be 1718 Brewery.
This is the only brewery on Ocracoke Island, but honestly it’s the only one you need.
When we walked inside we were greeted with a whole wall of options of beers to try and they were delicious.
We didn’t get to eat here, but the food sounded absolutely insane and included options like a crab stuffed pretzel, pork sliders and more.
They had bar seating, picnic tables out front and even a rooftop deck.
If you showed up last minute with a group of friends, I’m confident that you will be able to find the perfect place to perch.
I bet this would be the perfect post-beach hang spot.
Ocracoke Oyster Company
For lunch on Saturday we decided to visit the Ocracoke Oyster Company.
This space has lots of indoor and outdoor seating and a few parking spots for cars in the very back (golf carts can park in the front.)
This restaurant to me felt like the true essence of Ocracoke because while the oysters were tasty and delicious they were served on a simple lunch tray on top of parchment paper.
It felt like the perfect mix of upscale food but in a relaxed, coastal setting.
Our waitress was super attentive and kept our waters filled throughout the meal and even brought out some extra vinegar for the oysters.
Andrew and I also each got a beer, a shrimp poy boy (fried) and fries, all of which were excellent.
Ride the Wind Surf Shop
I have to give a special shout out to Ride the Wind Surf Shop since it’s owned by Joe’s family!
The shop has been around since 1985 and is a go-to for gear, apparel and souvenirs.
Andrew and I both bought Ocracoke t-shirts (I’m wearing mine right now as I write this!) Andrew also got an Ocracoke sticker for his water bottle.
Not only can you shop to take things home with you, but you can also rent surfboards, bikes, paddle boards, kayaks and more for your time on Ocracoke.
Lifeguard Beach
Even though I am self-admittedly not much of a Beach Person, we knew we had to stop by Lifeguard Beach, since it was recommended by Matt and Joe.
We visited in the middle of May (so take this with a grain of salt), but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised that it was really not crowded at all!
Believe it or not, it was voted the number one beach in America in 2022!
This wide open beach has some of the softest sand and is perfect for a long walk and collecting stones and shells.
I didn’t bring sandals so I wore my sneakers on the beach (I know, Shoobie alert!!) but it was still super easy to walk on.
There is also an outdoor shower for a quick rinse off as well as bathrooms next to the free parking lot.
Ocracoke Island Light Station
I love seeing the history of places, so it only made sense that we would stop by the Ocracoke Island Lighthouse.
Can you believe this is one of the oldest operating lighthouses in North Carolina?
This was just a short drive from our hotel and I feel like it makes for a great photo opportunity when you’re visiting.
We were also able to take a quick peek inside and look up the old spiral staircase to the top.
Dajio
Apparently Dajio is a seafood restaurant, however I only had a Corona and lime here at the after party for Matt and Joe’s wedding.
This spot was very clearly the place to be on a Saturday night and there was even live music.
Dajio featured an indoor outdoor layout with lots of seating and seemed like a fun spot!
We only stayed for one drink since we had a long drive home the next morning, but it was definitely a great vibe.
(You know this is true because I took zero photos while here!)
Other spots we didn’t get to on this trip:
Springer’s Point walk
This nature walk will give you plenty of water views and apparently it was one of Blackbeard’s favorite hangouts! We love #piratelore.
Zillie’s Island Pantry
Zillie’s sounds lovely and is known for their charcuterie selections, so if you’re planning a beach picnic, this is where I would come to load up on snacks.
Flying Melon
An upscale island dining option known for their locally sourced seafood as well as serving classic Creole and southern dishes.
Where to stay:
The Castle Inn at Silver Lake
We stayed for two nights at the Castle Inn. This historic inn is a great option for a quiet, laid-back visit.
It was truly perfect for our weekend trip and it had a cozy romantic vibe to it that I think makes it perfect if you’re doing a couples getaway.
It had this beautiful porch and some common spaces including the front lobby with a pool table.
There are lots of cute places to sit and curl up with a good book and they even had a bookshelf filled with books on the second floor, many of which I recognized!
We recently renovated our room and added a brand-new shower and a bed so comfortable that I’ve decided we need to upgrade our bed at home to try to recreate the feeling.
Breakfast was also included and served between 8-9am each morning. There were plenty of options from bacon to bagels and, of course, lots of hot coffee.
We also loved how centrally located this property is and we were just a quick walk from several of the island’s top restaurants and shops.
Getting to Ocracoke:
One of the things that I think makes Ocracoke so special is that not everyone is willing to travel there.
You aren’t able to drive to Ocracoke or book a commercial flight—you must take a ferry.
Since we were arriving from the north we ended up driving all the way down the Outer Banks to the Hatteras ferry.
The Hatteras ferry is free and only takes about 70 minutes, but it is first come, first serve.
If you’re coming from North Carolina’s mainland, you may consider the Swan Quarter ferry (about 3 hours) or the Cedar Island ferry (about 2.5 hours).
Both of these ferries will cost $15 for a car.
Tips for Ocracoke:
Getting around
You will need wheels to get around once you arrive in Ocracoke, but you can choose your own set of wheels.
Will you drive a car, bike, or even rent a golf cart?
I lowkey wish we had time to justify a golf cart rental because there were more golf carts than cars on the road and it seemed like fun.
Check for seasonal hours
Ocracoke has around 800 full-time residents, so most businesses open seasonally between Memorial Day and Labor Day when tourism peaks for the summer.
Some spots may open before then with limited hours, but just make sure to check that things will be open when you’re visiting so you can enjoy all the island has to offer.
Make reservations early
On a similar note, because Ocracoke is a small island that requires a lot of planning just to get to, you’ll also want to book accommodations early including hotels or AirBnBs.
Causal vibe
The island is very laid-back, so you can pack casual outfits!
I spent Saturday before the wedding walking around in a green workout set and sneakers, which was perfect.
Cell service
As a heads up, cell service and WiFi can be slow and spotty on Ocracoke so keep that in mind as you’re making plans.
Are you planning a visit to Ocracoke soon? Tell me in the comments what you’re planning to do!
yours,
Austen
