Castle Villa II - WP21

• Home
• Amenities
• Photos
• Guest Book
• Things to Do
• Current Weather
• Rates & Availability
• Book Now

Historic Marker of Fort Ocracoke

This marker is a little hard to find, but it's worth seeking out. It's on a grassy patch behind the National Park Service Visitor Center and next to the boat ramp. Park the car and walk out to the sound and you'll see it. The marker commemorates Fort Ocracoke, the remnants of which lie submerged in Ocracoke Inlet toward Portsmouth Island. The fort was constructed by volunteers beginning in May 1861, on the day North Carolina seceded from the Union to join the Confederacy. One side of the marker lists all the men from Ocracoke and Portsmouth islands who were killed in the Civil War. It is located at Irvin Garrish Highway, behind the National Park Service Visitor Center.

Watch Wildlife

On Ocracoke, the wildlife is plentiful. You can see turtles, dolphins, otters, along with many different species of birds, including the American Oystercatcher and the ever popular Brown Pelican. Not to miss while visiting Ocracoke are the famous ponies. The ponies are thought to be descendents of horses from sailing vessels shipwrecked on the shoals. Once left to roam on their own, they are now cared for by the National Park Service where you can view them at "the pony pasture" located 7 miles north of the village.

Join the Ocrafolk School

The Ocrafolk School is a week of island heritage workshops and fun. They offer courses such photography, pottery, painting and basket weaving. Offered annually and only in October, this is a week you'll never forget! Visit the website, www.OcrafolkFestival.org or call (252) 928-0217 for more details.

Go Swimming in the Ocean

A favorite pastime of Ocracoke visitors is going swimming in the Atlantic Ocean. Ocracoke has one Lifeguarded Beach. It is the most popular of Ocracoke's beaches. The Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach was named the Number One Beach on Dr. Beach's annual America's Best Beaches list of 2007. This beach offers public restrooms and showers, ample parking and a wooden boardwalk leading over the dunes and onto the beach. Even experienced swimmers should check with the lifeguards for information on water conditions. Educate yourself about dangerous rip currents at www.EenaProject.com.

Visit the Historic British Cemetery

Located on Ocracoke, the British Cemetery is a memorial cemetery for the crew of the British vessel HMS Bedfordshire. On May 11, 1942, a German submarine torpedoed and sank this 170-foot British ship that had four officers and 33 enlisted soldiers on board. All men on board the ship perished and eventually four of the bodies were found on shore by locals. An Ocracoke resident gave Britain a 12 by 14 foot section of land next to an island cemetery and buried the soldiers there. Today, the cemetery is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. A ceremony is performed onsite each year on the anniversary of the tragedy.

Make a Friend, Talk To a Local

Strike up a conversation with a local, especially an older one, and you might be surprised how much you can learn about the island. Also known as Ocockers, the native islanders are a tight knit bunch. There is a real sense of community on Ocracoke. You're sure to notice the Ocracoke "brogue," the famous local dialect that has evolved over the past 250 years. Sit for a spell and let a real Ococker tell you about some of the historical and cultural lore of Ocracoke.

Go on an Adventure To View Local Shipwrecks

Because the Outer Banks, referred to as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic," has record of more than 100 shipwrecks throughout history, you may stumble upon the remains of a shipwreck while enjoying our pristine beaches. Unidentified wooden remains can be viewed on the beach between the Pony Pen parking lot and the next northern paved parking area. For information on other remains, inquire at the National Park Service Visitor Center located near the ferry terminal in the village.

Browse the Local Gift Shops and Boutiques

Whether your shopping interests are boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, local souvenir shops or seafood markets, you will find a variety of interesting stores on Ocracoke, and since the village is so small, you can walk or bike between most stores.

Fly a Kite

The Outer Banks are well-known by windsurfers and kiteboarders around the world for awesome wind. Why not take advantage of that same wind and spend an afternoon flying a kite? On most days, finding enough wind to get the kite in the air isn't a problem! The beach is a great place to fly your kite, because it is unobstructed by power lines and trees.

Go Surf Fishing on the Beach

Visitors and locals to the Outer Banks share the popular sport of surf fishing. You will need to purchase a fishing license to go saltwater fishing in North Carolina. In addition, some species are regulated for size and limit. For more information about licenses and tag and release programs, contact the Division of Marine Fisheries at (252) 473-5734. Fish species that are common are dogfish, bluefish, pompano, striped bass, spanish mackerel, croaker, flounder, spot, trout and drum.