This was the number one thing I wanted to see on Ocracoke and now that I've seen it, I'm happy! I…read morelove lighthouses, having visited 128 lighthouses across the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland and even a lightboat in Sweden. Do lighthouses in Oklahoma (Lake Hefner), West Virginia (Summersville) and Vermont (Shelburne) count? They do for me! Ocracoka's lighthouse is easy to access with parking lots nearby and it's maybe a one mile walk from the ferry terminal. It was built in 1823 by Massachusetts builder Noah Porter and is the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina and the second oldest still standing in the state. It was constructed to guide ships safely through the treacherous Ocracoke Inlet into Pamlico Sound, a vital route for maritime trade and military supply lines. Standing 75 feet tall with a conical brick structure, the lighthouse was automated in 1955, and while visitors can access the base during summer months, the tower itself is not open for climbing. Its enduring presence and simple elegance make it one of the most beloved landmarks on the Outer Banks. [Review 775 of 2025 - 4207 in North Carolina - 24335 overall]

Well it's another lighthouse. There is free parking a block down, or park at the church just past…read morethe lighthouse for a donation. There is a boardwalk to the lighthouse that keeps your feet dry. Can't climb the stairs. Basically this is a 5 min visit, take some pics, read the history sign, then leave. I guess once the light keepers house is done with restoration there may be a museum to see?

On Ocracoke Island, the British Cemetery commemorates four British Royal Navy sailors who lost…read moretheir lives on May 11, 1942, when German U-boat 558 attacked their ship, the HMT Bedfordshire. Only four remains were found when the ship sank off the coast of North Carolina while searching for enemy submarines; they washed up close to the settlement. Residents of Ocracoke gave a tiny piece of land for their burial as a token of appreciation and respect; this area is now permanently leased to the British Commonwealth, making it, metaphorically, British soil. Each year on the anniversary of the sinking, a memorial ceremony is held with representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, British Royal Navy, and Canadian forces, honoring the sacrifice of these men who died defending American shores. [Review 778 of 2025 - 4210 in North Carolina - 24338 overall]

There are several British Cemeteries at Outer Bank. There is one at Buxton. The most visible one is…read morelocated at Ocracoke. The cemetery is close to the local island graveyard plot. It is easy to find going towards the ferry and the is a road call British Cemetery Road. I have a a lot of respect to the seaman from Britain to protect our shore during the World War II. The allies force has come to here to fight the German U boat submarine. The German U boat lurk to the coastline of North Carolina and wait to attack the US. This has been protect by British Navy. Some has lost their live during this conflict. On May 12, 1942, another attack on a British ship would occur off the coastline. This time an attack was waged the HMS Bedfordshire. The entire crew was lost and only four bodies are found. These seaman was later burry in the island. The US coast guard has memorial service every year to remember the courage seaman. There are people putting their coin on top of the cross. A coin left on a headstone let's the deceased soldier's family know that somebody stopped by to pay their respect. Leaving a penny means you visited. A nickel means that you and the deceased soldier trained at boot camp together. If you served with the soldier, you leave a dime

We decided to take a day trip on the free ferry to Ocracoke while staying in the Outer Banks…read more There isn't a TON to do on this island, so we decided to stop here to check out the beach. I LOVE that they have a nice walkway to the beach, makes it easier than having to trudge through the sand with a cooler. Also great that they have bathrooms on premise as I despise port-a-potties, sadly it was all closed during the government shut down. The parking lot is a little bit on the small side, so it might be best to try to arrive earlier in the day to secure parking. I spotted a warning sign about rip currents and I think it's great that they have this! Be careful, my friends on past OBX trips had some scary situations when they were caught in the dangerous rip tides. The beach here is beautiful and tranquil. It was cold when we visited in December, but I could see this as an amazing place to go for a stroll by the water. If you have some time to kill before you board the ferry back to the mainland, this is a nice place to stop. If you are here in the summer, pack a lunch and come here for the day.

Bottom Line: A nicely maintained day use area for people of all abilities to enjoy the pristine…read moreOcracoke Beach. The Ocracoke Day Use Area is a specific plot of land and accompanying facilities on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. "Ocracoke Day Use Area" is the official name given to this public space by the National Park Service who maintains and operates this area. In the summer months the Ocracoke Day Use Area is a popular destination for those vacationing on Ocracoke Island and wanting to feel the sand between their toes or take a dip in the Atlantic. I imagine this beach access is popular because it has a large parking lot and it is the closest developed beach access to Ocracoke Village. In addition to a paved parking lot, the Ocracoke Day Use Area has the following amenities: - changing rooms - bathrooms - outdoor shows - handicap accessible bathrooms - beach access/boardwalk - bike rack Speaking of accessibility, a few years ago the NPS upgraded the beach access/boardwalk at this location. The boardwalk is lengthy but it has a gentle slope to be compliant with the Architectural Barriers Act. (I suspect that also means it is ADA compliant.) The boardwalk divides around the dune line and one section goes to a lovely scenic overlook while the other section descends onto the beach. So even if you're not up for getting sandy, you can still enjoy the beach. There are various places on Ocracoke Island to access the beach via motor vehicle but I don't think this is one of them. You'll need a permit which can be purchased at the Ocracoke Visitors Center. And I believe you can also rent beach wheelchairs there too.

This monument stands in the parking lot opposite the ferry terminal, close to the water. It points…read moreout the history of the Confederate form that stood nearby and lists those who served in the Civil War from here. The etched stone marker reads, "The remnants of Fort Ocracoke are submerged in Ocracoke Inlet, 2 miles to the west - southwest, toward Portsmouth Inlet. The last of possibly four forts on Beacon Island, the mostly earthen Fort Ocracoke was constructed by mainland Confederate volunteers, beginning on May 20, 1861, the day North Carolina seceded from the Union and joined the Confederacy. "After Union victories on Hatteras Island in August, 1861, the Confederates partly destroyed the fort and abandoned it without a fight. Mainland Union forces completed the destruction in September, 1861. Beacon Island was consumed by the waters of Ocracoke Inlet in the first half of the 20th century. The fort's remains were discovered and identified by members of surface interval diving boats in August 1998, acting on a tip from Ocracoke Charter Boat Captain, Donald Austin." On the rear, "In Memory of Veterans of the Civil War from Ocracoke & Portsmouth Islands" and it lists their names. The marker was erected by the Hyde County Heritage Trail. [Review 779 of 2025 - 4211 in North Carolina - 24339 overall]

This marker overlooks the parking area for the Cedar Island Ferry and is one of the first things…read moreyou'll spot as you disembark. It points out the history of a War of 1812 warship. It has the same text on both sides. It reads, "USRC Mercury. U.S. Revenue Cutter in War of 1812. Patrolled Ocracoke Inlet. Escaped British ships offshore, 1813, to deliver warning of threat to New Bern." Online, there is more information. Commissioned in 1807 and based in New Bern, Mercury patrolled the waters around Ocracoke Inlet to enforce customs laws and protect against British incursions. In July 1813, when British forces launched a surprise attack on Ocracoke and Portsmouth, Mercury was the only American vessel to escape, carrying vital custom house documents and funds. Its crew raced to New Bern and delivered a timely warning that allowed North Carolina officials to prepare defenses, ultimately thwarting the British plan to invade the interior. The cutter continued its patrols throughout the war and later contributed to rebuilding coastal infrastructure and preventing smuggling. [Review 774 of 2025 - 4206 in North Carolina - 24334 overall]

This marker overlooks the Ocracoke South Terminal. There is a large parking lot nearby and it is…read moreeasy to stop and read the marker. The same text on both sides, it reads, "Lt. Robert Maynard. Of the Royal Navy. Sent by Gov. Spotswood of Virginia, in the sloop "Ranger," killed the pirate Blackbeard off shore, 1718." In the fall of 1718, the notorious pirate Edward Teach--better known as Blackbeard--was killed in North Carolina waters by British Royal Navy Lieutenant Robert Maynard, marking one of the most legendary episodes of the Golden Age of Piracy. Blackbeard had used the shallow inlets of North Carolina's coast for refuge, prompting Virginia's Governor Alexander Spotswood to send two sloops, Ranger and Jane, manned by Royal Navy crews, to hunt him down. On November 22, Maynard's forces engaged Blackbeard's sloop, the Adventure, near Ocracoke Inlet, leading to a brutal hand-to-hand battle in which Maynard personally shot the pirate captain. It is marker number B-43 and it was erected in 1955 by the Archives and Highway Departments. [Review 849 of 2025 - 4279 in North Carolina - 24406 overall] [7/20]

Lighthouse is under a major renovation, but still a must stop when visiting the Cape Hatteras…read moreNational Seashore. Easy plentiful parking and nice modern restrooms. Gift Shop has a little bit if everything and a friendly helpful Staff. Young woman at front desk was super. She even had a list of local cancelation stamps for those of us in the pursuit of unique stamps for your book. Make sure to visit the museum and chat with Ranger Chris Lampley - Super friendly and informative on the area, and had some great pointers for local birding to include a morning bird walk happening the next morning. So much information and an opportunity for Junior Rangers to get thier book to complete for a very cool badge. Definitely worth the drive and visit. We will be back to see how it looks after the restoration.

The lighthouse is currently under an impressive renovation- and even that is impressive! Go see it…read moreon every stage of this immense project and see the powerful historical part of the coast! The museums are also amazing and well managed. Can't wait to go back when it's completed!

Plenty of parking, clean restrooms, great a/c and a wonderful staff at front desk. They also have a…read morenice gift shop. They promote a scavenger hunt to engage the whole family while visiting the museum. The exhibits are well done, very informative and eye catching. The exhibits managed to get the attention of a disinterested teenager-LOL For you Cancelation Stamp collectors, be sure to ask for any special stamps at info desk (they have some cool ones). Best of all - FREE ENTERTAINMENT

So, if there is anything to know about me, I will go out of my way to visit a museum. No matter how…read morebig or small. No matter the cost. I enjoy learning a bit about an area, it's good to expand your knowledge. As most have noticed, this is a free museum to visit. Unlike what the one reviewer said, you actually get more than "what you pay for." Other things that others have touched on. Yes, this is end of the line before the ferry to Ocracoke. Be mindful of the lanes when trying to get here, you may end up at the ferry. Ample parking, and there is beach access nearby. I have to touch on this, they did a really good job on design here. They incorporated the shipwreck theme throughout. From the entrance of the land you see large anchor. The building, when you are further away from it, looks like a large boat. Almost like an ark. Then, when you do get inside, the theater area where they show the video, you are inside the hull of a sunken metal ship. You don't see this until you are outside this area and roaming about the rest of the museum. Like there are holes in hull. Then there is the big lifeboat display. It's quite stunning. Then there area the display of items from shipwrecks. So many different eras here. Touching on safety and rescue here as well. The lighthouse display feels massive in this room. And that's the thing, everything this museum has is housed in one room. But it is partitioned in such a way that each display feels like its own area. After you are done with the museum portion the exit takes you into the gift shop. Take your time to find the right souvenir. Once you exit the gift shop make sure to check out the displays in this area. It's kind of a continuance of the museum. I will leave you with this. My favorite part about this museum was the digital display at the beginning. Showing you just how high the storm surge can get during any given storm. Topping out at over twenty feet. When you stand next to it, you feel tiny. On your way out, check out the grounds area around the parking. More information out there.

This museum has so much to offer! The David William's House has exhibits that tell the story of…read moreOcracoke. The parlor exhibit changes each year. There is a local family tree displayed in the hallway that changes out every 2 years. In the Brogue Room, you can watch a hilarious video that highlights the Ocracoke dialect spoken by the island locals. The summer months offer programs almost every day with porch talks, kid's craft days, tours and much more. Be sure to visit the gift shop and buy tickets to win the beautiful quilt displayed every year on the bed. Go say hi to the friendly volunteers! Free admission but be sure to leave a donation.

Wonderful little museum and gift shop. The free museum (donations requested) is in the restored…read moreDavid Williams house. The inside and outside exhibits tell the story of early islanders, including the pirate Black Beard, and Ocracoke Island life. Displays include period rooms, model boats, decoys, and local seashells. The little gift shop offers a mix of local themed books, works by local artists, locally made items, and assorted gifts for all ages--all reasonably priced compared to other area shops.

No passport needed for this thrilling trip to a small section of the UK! Recommend the fish and…read morechips.

First some backstory taken from another site:…read more "The stories of how the sailors came to rest on the Outer Banks are intertwined, and begin with the sinking of the San Delfino, which was destroyed by German torpedoes in 1941. After the attack, the body of one of the ship's officers Michael Cairns washed ashore on the beaches of Buxton, and was quietly but respectively buried nearby in Buxton Woods by village locals. A few weeks after the sinking the body of an unknown sailor washed up and was buried next to Cairns. " The below article explains the history of the site in Buxton and the site on Ocracoke better than I can. www.charlotteobserver.com/living/travel/article9080264.html If you go: During the annual ceremony in May the general public is welcome to attend. The rest of the year if you are going to visit (assuming that you're coming from the north) just follow the directions to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse except instead of making the left turn into the parking area continue down Lighthouse Road. Pass Loggerhead Lane and then maybe a fifth of a mile on the right you will see an NPS style brown sign letting you know that you've arrived. There's parking for maybe two or three cars and the graves are set back a few yards on the right under the trees.