A day trip to Ocracoke Island is always a nice way to spend a day. I always enjoy the two and a half ferry ride from the mainland of North Carolina to this populated island of the Outerbanks of North Carolina.
My maternal grandmother’s family are from the island. They are O’Neals. Other Irish names such as Gaskill, Fulcher, and Willard are common. They also speak with an Irish accent called a brogue!
The day begins at the Cedar Island Ferry terminal waiting for the ferry to arrive at 10 am.
Once the cars are loaded we head out into the Pamlico Sound for the 2.5 hour trip to Ocracoke Island which is one of the chain of islands which forms the Outerbanks of North Carolina.
Within an hour you are out in the middle of the sound where you see no land. These bays were called “sounds” by the Irish settlers because the waters were sound or quiet as compared to the rough waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
The island of Ocracoke comes into view after a few hours.
As you come into the harbor, which is called Silver Lake, the distinctive lighthouse is framed on the East side of the island.
There are many historic houses built by the Irish fishermen who settled these islands.
A close up of the lighthouse.
Shrimp boat
The Village of Ocracoke only covers the area around the harbor. The remainder of the island is part of the National Seashore.
Tourism is almost more important than fishing now and many gift shops, bed and breakfast inns, and hotels fill the village; chickens, too!
The style of seafood served from North Carolina and South through Georgia is called Calabash. It’s major difference is that milk is not used in the broth.
I love the clam chowder.
We left on the last ferry of the evening at 8pm.
The sun was setting and we arrived back on the mainland of Cedar Island about dark.
It all makes for a long day!
Find out more about Ocracoke here:
http://historicalbemarletour.org/north-carolina-ocracoke.htm
Arthur in the Garden! 
What a nice day trip. Thanks for the tour.
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Thank you!
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I never realized that the outer banks were that far off shore. It looks to be well worth the effort.
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Ocracoke and Hatteras Island are very remote – to me- as a city person!
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A lovely tour, especially since it is completely unknown to this Yankee!
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A lovely cool day out! I saw a lot of these pics on Facebook today! Loved it! 🙂 x
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Thanks!
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🙂 xx
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So sorry I couldn’t make ! Next time, but glad you had a perfect day !!
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It was a long day!
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We have been to Edisto Island is SC but never to NC. Sounds like it is really worth a visit.
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Never been that far south on the SC coast….yet!
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They Outerbanks of NC are beautiful for their remoteness but I am truly a city person!
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quite a long trip but looks like it is worth it!
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Thank you for taking me back to one of my favorite places. My husband and I visited the Outer Banks (Hatteras and Ocracoke) nearly every spring during the six years we lived in North Carolina.
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Thanks! Glad it brought back memories!
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What a lovely place to visit. We’ve been to the Outer Banks only once and vowed to return Thanks for taking us along on your trip.
Sam
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Seeing these photos reminds me of my adventurous and lovely day trip along the Outer Banks. Thanks for reminding me that I want to return!
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Beautiful pictures of a Beautiful Place. I love the fact that I am a Carolina girl.
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Tjanks
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Looks like a good trip! Really enjoyed the photos. I can’t wait to get out there with my family someday soon!
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I recommend it!
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Thanks
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Great pictures of Ocracoke Island! It is a wonderful place to visit.
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Thanks.
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