Ocracoke - Outer Banks - NC

Ocracoke Island suggest history and enchantment. The earliest recorded names for the island were 'Wokokon' and 'Wocokon' - relecting the island's Native American heritage. Eventually the "W" was dropped and spellings 'Okok" and 'Ocrcok' evolved into Ocracoke.

During the early 1700's Ocracoke was a bustling trade route. Larger ships, unable to navigate the shallow Pamlico Sound created opportunities for pilots of smaller ships to transport goods to ports on the NC mainland. The hard to navigate waters also attracted pirates, and Ocracoke was host many of these men. These buccaneers continued to use the island as a campsite even after the infamous pirate Blackbeard was killed here in a battle on November 22, 1718.

Over a period of 200 years Ocracoke prospered and grew. it was a strategic point of enty to the Pamlico Sound during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, with the most significant impat on the island happening during World War II when Silver Lake was established by dredging an existing creek.

The Village of Ocracoke, located near the southern end of the island, attracts sailrs, pilots, and commercial fisherman. Many of the early families stayed, built homes and gardens, churches, docks, and stores. Close to 250 historic structures remain, many built with materials salvaged from shipwrecks.

Today, Ocracoke welcomes travelers with exciting and adventurous things to do and see, yet still holds tight to its maritime heritage and charm. The beaches of Ocracoke have be recognized as one of the Best Beaches in World. Much of the island is state and federal preserved land.