Ride the Free Hatteras-Ocracoke FerryOcracoke Island is the southernmost island of the Outer Banks and can only be reached by ferry (or boat.) The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) runs a free ferry from Hatteras Village to Ocracoke Island. The ferry ride is approximately 40 minutes long and departs from the southern tip of Hatteras Village and arrives at the northern tip of Ocracoke Island. Once the ferry docks, it is about 15 miles to the quaint village of Ocracoke. Ferries run daily between 5:00 a.m. and midnight. In the peak season, departures from each location (Hatteras and Ocracoke) are every 30 minutes; in the off season departures are every hour. In the peak season, ferry lines tend to get long, so you will want to plan ahead. Reservations are not available for the Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry. For more information, you may contact the NCDOT at (800) BY-FERRY. Catch a Wave Surfing in the Outer Banks Ocean WatersBecause the Outer Banks is set farther into the ocean with deeper waters than most other coastal regions, the surf of the Outer Banks is said to have the best breaks on the East Coast. The various fishing piers, shipwrecks and sandbars also create unusual wave patters for the thousands of surfers who come to the area each year to ride the Outer Banks waves. As with anything in the ocean, always go with a friend and be aware of water, weather and beach conditions. If you don't know how to surf but would like to learn, various surf shops offering lessons are: the Corolla Surf Shop at (252) 453-WAVE, The Pit Surf Shop in Kill Devil Hills at (252) 480-3128, the Hatteras Island Surf Shop in Waves at (252) 987-2296 or the Ride the Wind Surf Shop in Ocracoke at (252) 928-6311. Go Boating in the Atlantic Ocean or One of the Local SoundsThere are several docks and marinas located throughout the Outer Banks to accommodate a range of boat sizes, from small skiffs to large pleasure boats. Space is limited during the summer months, especially on the weekends, so be sure to call ahead for slip reservations. Thousands of visitors bring their boats to the Outer Banks each year, but if you don't have your own boat, some area businesses do offer powerboat rentals. For information on marinas and dock space, a few options are the Dock of the Bay in Kitty Hawk at (252) 255-5578, Oregon Inlet Fishing Center at (252) 441-6301, Frisco Cove Marina at (252) 995-4242 or Teach's Lair Marina in Hatteras at (252) 986-2460. For boat rentals, contact The Promenade Watersports in Kitty Hawk at (252) 261-4400 or The Waterworks in Nags Head at (252) 441-8875. Tour the Graveyard of the Atlantic MuseumThe Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, located in Hatteras Village, was created to preserve the maritime history and shipwrecks of the Outer Banks throughout history. Emphasis in the museum is placed on the periods from 1524 to 1945. The museum has a unique design with an entrance modeled after the timbers of the many shipwrecks that have happened along the treacherous Hatteras coast. For more information, contact the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum at (252) 986-2995. Take Your Kids To a Local Educational CampBecause of the various educational opportunities for children on the Outer Banks, several local organizations offer partial-day and full-day camps, most of which last five days. Organizations that have kids' camps are as follows: The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island at (252) 473-3493, The KDH Cooperative Gallery at (252) 441-9888, The Kitty Hawk Sports Kids Kayak Clinic at (252) 441-6800, The Outer Banks Family YMCA at (252) 449-8897, Dare County Parks and Recreation at (252) 473-1101, ext. 313, Dare County Cooperative Extension at (252) 473-1101, ext. 442, Ocean Atlantic Rentals Surf School at (800) 635-9559 and Club Hatteras Kids at (252) 995-4600. These programs will be fun for the kids while they learn about various aspects of the Outer Banks. View the Sunrise Over the Atlantic OceanHow many days of the year do you go to the beach before the sun comes up, sit in your beach chair with a cup of coffee and wait for the sun to rise? Have you ever tried it? While you are on the Outer Banks, make yourself get up early one day and head to the beach. Either watch the news or go on the Internet the night before to find out the exact time of the following day's sunrise - in the summer, it is normally between 6:15 and 6:45 a.m. Grab your chair, your coffee and your camera, set your alarm (it's only one day, you can do it!), and get out there! It will be one of the most beautiful things you will see during your stay on the Outer Banks. Drive-Thru a Brew Thru Convenience StoreYou've heard of drive-thru fast food restaurants, but have you ever been to a drive-thru gas station and convenience store? The Outer Banks is home to the original Brew Thru, which is a local chain of drive-thru gas station/convenience stores where you will find friendly service, great prices and the unique Brew Thru apparel - all without having to leave the comfort of your car! There are four Brew Thru locations to serve you, located between Corolla and Nags Head. Drive thru and check them out! Visit the Ocracoke Island Museum and Preservation SocietyOnce the private residence to Coast Guard Captain David Williams, this home was moved to its current location on Ocracoke Island's Silver Lake in 1989 and restored to its original beauty by the Ocracoke Preservation Society. Many furnishings reminiscent of the 19th century have been donated by local families, and photographs of island natives can be seen throughout the house. The museum also has several exhibits and a research library. Admission is free and the museum is open from Easter through the end of December. For more information, contact the Ocracoke Island Museum and Preservation Society at (252) 928-7375. Go Swimming in the OceanA favorite pastime on the Outer Banks is going swimming in the Atlantic Ocean. Many people like to feel the wet sand between their toes, dive into the waves or even ride boogie boards on the waves as they go onshore. If you aren't a strong swimmer and aren't familiar with tides, don't go out too far because the ocean can be very dangerous. If you have children, make them wear life jackets and keep your eyes on them. Some of the Outer Banks beaches are protected by lifeguards, but many of them are not. Also watch for sea creatures like stingrays, jellyfish and sharks. Use caution and stay safe! Visit the Historic British CemeteryLocated in 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 drowned, and a few days later four of the bodies were found on shore by local U.S. Coast Guard officers. Ocracoke residents gave Britain a 12 by 14 foot section of land next to the Island's cemetery and buried the soldiers there. Today, the cemetery is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard of Ocracoke Island and a ceremony is performed at the Cemetery each year on the anniversary of the deaths of the British sailors. | Corolla RestaurantsLighthouse Bagels817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Bacchus Wine, Cheese & Meats 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Beach Sweets & Treats 817 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla Brew Pub 817 Ocean Trail Suite A Corolla, NC 27927 La Fogata Mexican Restaurant 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Smokey's Restaurant 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Stripers Bar & Grille 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Fat Cat Ice Cream 817 Ocean Trail Monteray Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Coyote Bar & Grill 817 Ocean Trail Monteray Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Burger King 814 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Outer Banks Seafood Co. 811 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Outer Banks Coffee Company 807 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla ShoppingAce Hardware822 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Wings 818 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Ocean Annie's 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Bacchus Wine, Cheese & Meats 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Kitty Hawk Kites 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Carolina Outdoors 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Gray's Family Department Store 817 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Dockside 'N Duck Seafood Market 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Exotic Cargo 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Birthday Suits 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Donna Designs 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Outer Banks Bicycle 817 Ocean Trail Monteray Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Outer Banks AttractionsOuter Banks Center for Wildlife Education1160 Village Lane Corolla, NC 27927 The Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park 1100 Club Road Corolla, NC 27927 Currituck Beach Lighthouse & Gift Shop 1101 Corolla Village Road Corolla, NC 27927 The Corolla Wild Horse Museum at The Historic Corolla Schoolhouse 1126 Schoolhouse Lane Corolla, NC 27927 Station Bay Marina & Seafood Market 1566 Duck Road Duck, NC 27949 Corolla ActivitiesKitty Hawk Kites817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 Carolina Outdoors 817 Ocean Trail Monterey Plaza Corolla, NC 27927 R/C Theatres of the Outer Banks 815 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Miss Kitty's Old Time Photo 794 Sunset Boulevard Tim Buck II Shopping Center Corolla, NC 27927 The Golf Links 798 Sunset Boulevard TimBuck II Shopping Village Corolla, NC 27927 Dance Heads 799 Sunset Boulevard Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla Raceway 790 Ocean Trail Timbuck II Shopping Center Corolla, NC 27927 Kitty Hawk Sports 790 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 Kitty Hawk Kites 785 Sunset Boulevard TimBuck II Shopping Center Corolla, NC 27927 The Currituck Golf Club 620 Currituck Clubhouse Drive Corolla, NC 27927 Bob's Wild Horse Tours 1066 Ocean Trail Inn at Corolla Light Corolla, NC 27927 Corolla Jeep Rentals & Tours 1070 Ocean Trail Corolla, NC 27927 |