First published on Nov. 22, 2019; further updated/corrected Feb. 25. This list will continue to be updated.
Now that Ocracoke Island is open to visitors (since Dec. 2), the island looks very different as repairing and rebuilding activities from the inundation Sept. 6 by Hurricane Dorian will continue for many months.
Debris from building tear-outs and demolition will be along the roads throughout the village. So extreme caution is advised. As islanders are busy repairing their homes and businesses visitors are advised to be respectful of private property. Gas, food services and lodging will be limited and visitors are advised to prepare accordingly.
Ferries from Hatteras, Swan Quarter and Cedar Island are operating on regular schedules and tolls apply to these routes. Please click here for the current ferry schedules. Be aware that weather and maintenance issues may sideline the ferries at any time.
What to Expect
National Park Service
All ocean and sound side beach areas are open and the NPS campground will open in the spring. The NPS visitor center will open in a trailer but the associated restrooms are open.
The Ocracoke Day Use Area (Lifeguard Beach) and its parking lot will not be accessible until later in the spring because they are being used for debris staging. The Ocracoke lighthouse grounds will be open, but the light keeper’s quarters were badly flooded.
What’s open now
Lodging:
The Anchorage Inn, Berkley Manor Suites, Bluff Shoal Motel, Blue Heron Vacations, the Castle Bed & Breakfast & Courtyard Villas, Ocracoke Island Realty, Ocracoke’s Lightship Realty, Ocracoke Harbor Inn, Pam’s Pelican B&B and Pony Island Motel & Cottages.
Food & Drink:
The Magic Bean Coffee Bazaar, School Road.
Plum Pointe Kitchen (Inside 1718 Brewing Ocracoke): 5 to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; Saturdays: Noon to 8:30 p.m. 252-928-7586
Sorella’s Pizza & Pasta: Closed until March 4.
1718 Brewing Ocracoke: 5 to 9 p.m. daily. 252-928-2337
Zillie’s: 4 to 8:30 p.m. daily. 252-928-9306
The Flying Melon: open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday through March 7. Closed March 8 to 25; reopening Thursday, March 26.
Taqueria Suazo’s Mexican food truck on Creek Road.
The Ocracoke Variety Store and ABC Store are open.
Ocracoke Cigars: 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 972-814-0886
Shopping
Ride the Wind Surf Shop Tuesday – Saturday 1 to 7 p.m., Books to be Red, Down Creek Gallery open every day, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Over the Moon, Island Artworks: Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fishing
Drumstick Sportfishing, Dream Girl Sportfishing, Gecko Sportfishing, Fish Tales Charter Fishing and Tradewinds Tackle (Phone number posted on the door).
Services:
Angie’s Gym, Ann Ehringhaus (wedding minister), Yoga with Amy/Deep Blue Bodywork & Massage, Beach Ride Rentals, Harrell & Associates, OBX Rentals and Shuttle Services, Ocean Atlantic Event Rentals, Ocracoke Observer, Ocracoke Current, Ocracoke Alive, Ocracoke Island Yoga, Stillwater Spa & Wellness, Jimmie’s Garage.
Gasoline is available by credit card only at Jerniman’s.
Ocracoke Health Center, 305 Back Rd. 252-928-1511. M-F, 8 am to noon & 1-5 pm. After hours: 252-928-SICK (7425)
Island Mobile Medical Care, Gail Covington, family nurse practitioner. 252-996-0511.
Laura L. Trent, DVM, 252-923-3787. Ocracoke mobile veterinarian.
Roanoke Island Animal Clinic: Every third Wednesday of every month at 9 am. Ocracoke Community Center.
Beach Ride Rentals is back and open for the season. If you need a 4×4 to drive on the beach, contact 252-916-0133 for rates and availability.
Opening spring 2020
Hotels
Blackbeard’s Lodge (June), Cove Bed & Breakfast (March), Captain’s Landing Waterfront Inn (Office open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to take reservations; leave a message), Crew’s Inn B&B (April), Oscar’s B&B, Sand Dollar Motel, Harborside Motel and Gift Shop, Silver Lake Motel, Edwards of Ocracoke Cottages (March) and Teeter’s Campground (March 1).
Restaurants
Howard’s Pub (March 3), Back Porch Lunchbox, DAJIO, Eduardo’s (early March), Sweet Tooth and Fig Tree Bakery & Deli, Gaffer’s (April), Graceful Bakery, , Jason’s Restaurant (March), Jolly Roger Restaurant & Marina, Ocracoke Coffee Co. (April 1), Ocracoke Oyster Company (March 1), Pony Island Restaurant (April), Slushy Stand (March), Ocracoke Fudge & Ice Cream Shop (mid-March), SmacNally’s, the Back Porch.
Shops
The Community Store, Harborside Gift Shop, Mermaid’s Folly, Ocracoke Preservation Museum & Gift Shop, Ocracoke Seafood Co., Ocracoke Island Trading Co., Village Craftsmen, Moonraker Tea Shop, the Sunglass Shop, Kitty Hawk Kites, Island Artworks.
Recreation
Native Parasail, Ocracoke Island Golf Carts, Rascal Charter Boats, Wheelie Fun Golf Carts, Anchorage Marina (March 15).
Entertainment
Deepwater Theater, Coyote Music Den
Special Events
The Oyster Roast is canceled for 2019. But most events on Ocracoke Island, including Ocracoke Preservation Society’s Art Auction in January, will take place as usual. Events scheduled in 2020 include:
OPS Art Auction Fundraiser – January 25
Portsmouth Island Homecoming – April 25
Ocracoke 5k/10K Race- April 25
Ocracoke Half Marathon – April 26
Ocracoke Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament – April 29 to May 1
Waterfowl Festival – May 2
British Cemetery Ceremony – May 8
OVFD Fireman’s Ball – May 23
Ocrafolk Festival – June 5-7
Women’s Arm Wrestling – June 11
Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks – July 3-5
Fig Festival – August 7 & 8
Health Center Seafood Festival – Sept. 5
Ocrafolk School – Oct. 18-23
Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree – Oct. 29-Nov. 1
Festival Latino de Ocracoke – November 6-8
Parade of Boats – November 28
Oyster Roast – TBA
Ocracoke Alive Deepwater Theater shows (8 p.m.)
June to September (Wednesday: Dingbatter’s Guide to Ocracoke (Season 2); Thursdays: Molasses Creek Band in concert
Local resources for travelers
VisitOcracokeNC.com for more information. 252-928-6711
N.C. Department of Transportation (https://www.ncdot.gov/divisions/ferry/) for status and schedule of all ferries to and from the island.
Hyde County http://www.hydecountync.gov/ 252-475-5655
Thanks, Connie, for the prompt reply.
I am so happy for my Ocracoke friends, present and future, that you are recovering from this disaster. However, I want to make sure my reading of the above is correct. If a visitor comes on 12/2 there will not be any place to eat on the island until about 5 pm? If they are staying somewhere where kitchen amenities aren’t present, they will have access to one meal per day. Did I read the schedule of openings correctly?
Sorry about that! Yes. there ARE some places open for lunch: Sorella’s Pizza and Pasta is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. & 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sundays; Plum Pointe Kitchen are open for lunch, but the noon meals at the Community Center are only for residents.
The Ocracoke Surf Fishing Invitational Tournament
Yes. It will go on next year.
Is the Ocracoke Island Invitational Surf Tournament on for the spring of 2020 ?
Yes.
Will this tournament be added to the list? and would you happen to know when we can expect our entry forms as historically we would have had them by now?
Which tournament?
Fish Tale Charters will also be open on the Spring.
Thanks, John. Added.
Ocracoke Islanders are amazing. I’m really excited and very impressed with the speed of the restoration of your magical little island. My happy place is Pattys Hollow next to the oyster shell road. How did Pattys Hollow fair? 💕
Thanks for the comprehensive update
Moonraker Tea Shop will be opening early December. We are also accepting preorders through our email: info.moonrakerteashop@gmail.com
I think the clinic and dr trent’s practice were left off the list of available services…
We’ll add them. Thanks
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