Ocracoke Recreation
Looking for something to do on Ocracoke Island? You won’t have trouble finding fun here.
From a historic ghost walk to a fishing trip to a kayak tour, there are numerous recreational opportunities available that will help you get to know this island and its people a little better. And most of Ocracoke Island’s attractions are of the best variety: free! Or at least they’re very inexpensive. Although we don’t have traditional taxi service, we do have a pedal-oriented taxi service what will do tours, special events, romantic evenings, airport pickups and even barhopping. They can be reached at (252) 588-2149.
In general, attractions and recreation here are simple and unfettered, with few of the usual commercial trappings of a tourist site. There are no go-cart tracks, mini-golf courses, waterslides or movie theaters. On Ocracoke, the island itself provides the entertainment. And, it seems that when people are here, they just don’t need as much stimulation. Quiet walks on the beach (Cape Hatteras National Seashore), fishing and clamming, looking for shells, building a sandcastle, strolling around the village, sitting on the porch swing, observing nature or chasing ghost crabs in the moonlight: These are the simple activities on Ocracoke Island. For a little extra entertainment, walk or bike to the Ocracoke Campground on the new paved bike trail, stroll over to the Ocracoke Lighthouse (the oldest in North Carolina and still operating) and the Preservation Museum, or go out and visit the ponies and take a little hike. You get the idea.
Remember Irvin Garrish Highway is also known as Highway N.C. 12.
Kitty Hawk Kites
- 294 Irvin Garrish Highway, Community Square Shops
- Ocracoke
Kayaking on Ocracoke is a must do activity. Kitty Hawk Kites offers kayak rentals for the whole family, including single and tandem sit-ins and sit-on-tops. Each rental comes with everything you’ll need to have fun and be safe, including paddles, PFDs and padded seats for extra comfort.
Massage Therapy and Reiki
- 660 Irvin Garrish Highway
- Ocracoke
- (252) 928-1311
NC-licensed Ann Ehringhaus offers therapeutic massage including Chinese acupressure, Rosen Method Emotional Bodywork and Reiki and has studied many other modalities. Ann did most of her bodywork studies in Berkeley, California, and Chapel Hill, NC. She also holds degrees in Ministry and Counseling. She acknowledges bodywork as a great pathway for relaxation as well as for personal healing and change. She has offered bodywork since 1990 on Ocracoke and also has an office at The Wellness Alliance in Carrboro, NC. You need to call ahead for appointments.
Molasses Creek
- Ocracoke
- (252) 928-3411
- map
Molasses Creek’s high-energy performances and phenomenal songwriting bring the love of their coastal home to the stage. The band’s elegant harmonies and arrangements, blazing instrumentals and quirky sense of humor have won loyal followers throughout the United States and around the world. Award winners from Garrison Keillor’s “Prairie Home Companion,” Molasses Creek has recorded 12 albums over the past 19 years.
For information on booking, ordering recordings or the touring calendar, check out their website.
Ride the Wind Surf Shop
- 486 Irvin Garrish Highway
- Ocracoke
- (252) 928-6311
- map
See another side of Ocracoke Island—take a kayak ecotour with Ride the Wind. They offer guided sunrise, midday and sunset tours for up to10 people and provide all necessary equipment and training. Ride the Wind also rents kayaks by the hour, day or week; you can choose from sit-on-top, sit-in, touring, fishing and surfing. The folks at this shop also offer surfing instruction and a great Surf Camp for young people that includes surfing and body boarding. Family camps are available, and special groups can be accommodated. Make reservations for both the kayak tours and surf camps. Ride the Wind boasts the largest selection of rental surfboards, kayaks and standup paddleboards on the island.
Yoga with Amy
- 82 School Road, Deepwater Theater
- Ocracoke
- (252) 921-0182
- map
Local resident Amy Borland Hilton is an Anusara-inspired yoga teacher offering multi-level Anusara yoga and gentle/chair yoga classes at Deepwater Theater on School Road year round. Anusara yoga, founded by John Friend, is a heart-oriented Hatha yoga style honoring the intrinsic goodness found in everyone and the connectivity to the Universal. Through specific alignment techniques, Anusara heals the body, mind and spirit. All levels of students are welcome. Call for hours or check her website. Cost is $15. Morning classes are 1.5 hours and evening is an hour.
Beach Outfitters
- 1053 Irvin Garrish Highway
- Ocracoke
- (252) 928-6261
Beach Outfitters is part of Ocracoke Island Realty. They rent bikes, beach chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards and cottage items too cumbersome to pack, such as televisions, baby highchairs, grills and kitchen appliances.
Beach Ride Rentals
- 294 Irvin Garrish Highway, The Community Square
- Ocracoke
- (252) 928-0007, (252) 916-0133
While you’re visiting the Community Square, you will notice a small shop on the right-hand side of an old-fashioned building on the harbor. This small shop rents both pedal boats for cruisin’ the harbor, or if you yearn to drive the beach on Ocracoke, you can rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle here.
Bella Fiore Pottery
- 80 Back Road
- Ocracoke
- (252) 928-2826
Sarah Fiore’s working studio showcases her vividly colored pottery. Her works are microwave, oven and dishwasher safe, including plates, bowls, mugs, sushi sets and dishes, and all have handmade glazes. The gallery also stocks all-natural bath products, ceramic art, wooden sculpture, aromatic candles, handmade local jewelry and distinctive objets d’art. Think functional luxury.
Chiropractic Services
- Ocracoke
- (252) 489-1688
Call for an appointment with “Dr. Rudy” (aka Dr. Howard M. Ruderfer) for full-spine chiropractic and extremity adjusting, therapeutic massage including Cayce-Reilly, neuromuscular, reflexology, craniosacral and chakra balancing. His main practice, Hatteras Island Chiropractic, is located in Buxton, but he makes house calls on Ocracoke.
Coastal Helicopters, LLC
- 158 Ocean View Road
- Ocracoke
- (252) 475-HELI ( 4354)
If you have ever wondered what Ocracoke Island looks like from above, this is your chance to get the bird’s eye view. With rates that can be prorated by the 10th of the hour, this is the ultimate way to shoot aerial photography and videography. Based out of the Manteo airport, air tours of the Outer Banks and custom charters to anywhere are available. The pilot is FAA Commercial certified.
Cottage Ghost Tales
- Ocracoke
- (252) 928-6300
Acclaimed professional storyteller Lou Ann Homan has been steeping herself in island lore and will captivate and delight your family and friends with an evening of storytelling in your cottage or home. Ghost and pirate tales are a specialty and are appropriate for all ages. Cost is $150.
Coyote Music
- Ocracoke
This singing and songwriting couple of Marcy Brenner and Lou Castro have a loyal following on their home island and well beyond with their engaging and spontaneous presence and colorful music tinged with folk, rock, blues and jazz. During the summer, they perform at Deepwater Theater and Music Hall where they are principal performers in the Ocrafolk Opry and with Molasses Creek. They are also part of the NC Arts Council Touring Artists and perform all over the state and beyond. Listen in for their music in the Nicholas Sparks movie, Nights in Rodanthe, released in September 2008 starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane! You’ll find their CDs for sale all over the island (and even a documentary film inspired from one of their songs about Marcy’s cancer survival); get one to bring some of the island’s magic home with you. Marcy and Lou are available for wedding music on the island.
Curtain Box Hunting—Russell Williams
- Ocracoke
- (252) 588-0185
Williams is a licensed guide with more than 21 years of experience who has appeared in both Wildfowl and Carolina Adventure magazines. He transports hunters to curtain blinds or sink boxes, a type of blind developed on Pamlico Sound and legal only in Hyde and Dare counties. Reservations should be made before Thanksgiving, and packages including accommodation can be arranged.
Deep Blue Day Spa
- 260 O’Neal Drive
- Ocracoke
- (252) 921-0182
North Carolina-licensed massage therapist Amy Borland Hilton offers massage therapy and spa therapy services from her home to restore your mind, body and spirit. She is skilled in a variety of therapy styles, including Swedish, Thai yoga bodywork, lymph drainage therapy, connective tissue, craniosacral, ocean stone and Yogassage. Spa service are a variety of facials including lymph drainage for age lines and puffiness. Her services are very popular, so it’s recommended that you make an appointment well in advance. Call for appointments and check www.deepbluedayspa.com for more information.
Deepwater Theater and Music Hall
- 82 School Road
- Ocracoke
- (252) 928-3411
Deepwater Theater and Music Hall is the home venue of Molasses Creek, Ocracoke Island’s hometown band that’s built a loyal following with its blend of soulful singing, bluegrass fiddlin’ and occasionally wacky sense of humor. From June through September, Molasses Creek plays here on Thursday evenings. Other weekly shows in 2011 include the Wednesday night Ocrafolk Opry featuring a panoply of local musicians, storytellers and special visiting guests and the Monday night evening of Ocracoke Stories, “You Ain’t Heard Nothing Yet,” with local storytellers Philip and Amy Howard. Detailed schedules and information about yoga classes and other special events is posted online, at the entrance to the theater and around the village. Doors opens at 7:30 and shows begin at 8 p.m. Ticket prices are around $12-$18 for adults and $6-$9 for children. MC/Visa are accepted; some advance ticket sales are available online.
Down Creek Gallery
- 260 Irvin Garrish Highway
- Ocracoke
- (252) 928-4400
If you are looking for local, North Carolina, regional and national art, check out Down Creek. Located in the heart of the village on the waterfront and representing more than 130 artists, you will find jewelry, pottery, art glass, metal, wood, mixed media, local painting, photography and much more. During the summer, the gallery hosts Expose Yourself to Art, bi-weekly receptions to meet the artist, showcasing local artisans and their work. The gallery was the winner of a Top Retailer of American Craft award several years ago from NICHE Magazine.
Downpoint Decoys
- 340 Irvin Garrish Highway
- Ocracoke
- (252) 928-3269
This rustic shop is filled to the brim with decoys and sportsman’s paraphernalia. The resident carver has been nationally recognized for his work and is a native who can tell you a salty tale or two. There are old and new decoys, lures, oars and other crafts and scrimshaw that are great for bringing a nostalgic seaside feeling to your home.
DWI Case Management and Treatment for Addictions
- Ocracoke
- (252) 261-4512
Jo Ann Hummers, EdD, LCAS, offers DWI assessment and treatment in person and case management (by phone, mail and/or e-mail) for an out-of-state resident who gets a DWI in North Carolina. She offers affordable and confidential assistance to comply with NC Division of Motor Vehicles regulations. Also available is counseling for smoking cessation, alcohol and other drug abuse/addiction or gambling addiction.
Ocracoke AA meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. at the upstairs room at the Fire Station on the Back Road on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Float With Grace—Massage Therapy
- Ocracoke
- (252) 996-0198
Warm Water Massage aptly describes Watsu®, which is one of the specialties of NC licensed massage therapist Terrilynn “Grace” West. Incorporating principles of Zen Shiatsu with gentle stretches while floating in warm water allows Grace to work out areas of muscle tension that are difficult to release in traditional table massage. The secret to Watsu is water: water heated to almost body temperature. In this water, gravity and weight become irrelevant, and the therapist can manipulate, stretch and massage tissues with precision and subtlety. The spacious warm water pool is indoors with an attached bath. Sessions can run from one to one and a half hours. Watsu is therapeutic for injuries, many stress-related ailments as well as effective for complete relaxation. Grace welcomes all ages from youth to seniors into the pool. She also offers traditional table massage and teaches classes in tai chi, ai chi, qi gong, swimming skills for all ages, water safety and basic massage skills.
Free Workout
- 999 Irvin Garrish Highway, Ocracoke Community Center
- Ocracoke
Aerobics, toning and strength building classes for people of all levels and ages are offered weekday mornings at the Community Center. The classes are free and meet on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:30 a.m. from May until October and at 8 a.m. during the winter months. All equipment is supplied.
Hammock Hills Nature Trail
- 4281 Irvin Garrish Highway
- Ocracoke
Just across from the National Park Service’s Ocracoke Campground, the Hammock Hills Nature Trail is a 3/4-mile trail through the island’s maritime forest and salt marsh. It’s a great trail for nature lovers and bird watchers, and there are informative signposts along the way. The hike takes about 30 minutes. Parking is available for several cars, or one can walk or bike there on the paved biking trail that starts at South Point Road at the village line. Be sure to bring along insect repellent—the trail is also popular with mosquitoes!
Historic Ocracoke Tours and Tales—Ocracoke Ghost and History Walk
- 170 Howard Street, Village Craftsmen
- Ocracoke
- (252) 928-6300
Led by native islanders descended from pirates, these 90-minute, 1.5-mile walking tours are sure to entertain and educate. The tours explore either the Around Creek or Down Point areas of the island and cost $12 ($6 for children 6 to 12 years old; children younger than 6, free). Tours leave from the Village Craftsmen at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday nights. Limited to 24 people, reservations are strongly recommended. Group and special tours can be arranged. Call for more information and off-season schedules.
If you enjoy storytelling and tales about Ocracoke, visit Deepwater Theater on School Road at 8 p.m. on Monday evenings during the summer for a program called “You Ain’t Heard Nothin’ Yet” for more quirky tales and strange stories about Ocracoke.
Island Artworks
- 89 British Cemetery Road
- Ocracoke
- (252) 928-3892
Island Artworks is a fun place to browse and shop. Owner/artist Kathleen O’Neal sells her own hand-crafted jewelry here along with blown glass, contemporary crafts, mosaics, photography, watercolors, pottery, woodworks, sculpture, garden accessories and many other works of art. Island artists are well represented.
Island Guide Services
- Ocracoke
- (252) 928-2504, (252) 928-2509
Licensed guides Kenneth Tillett and Earl Gaskins both have more than two decades of experience, hunting expertise and local knowledge. Tillett’s great-grandfather, Charlie McWilliams, and Gaskins’ grandfather, Thurston Gaskill, both led parties for the Green Island Hunting Club. Island Guide Services continues the tradition, offering stake and pit blinds, decoys and transport.
Island Path Massage and Personal Path Retreats
- 59 Creek Road
- Ocracoke
- (252) 475-0869
“Have Table Will Travel” is the motto of licensed massage therapist Ken DeBarth. After 30 years of practice as a primary care and emergency medicine physician assistant, Ken decided to attend the Cayce/Reilly School of Massotherapy in Virginia. He now offers relaxation and therapeutic massage at his massage studio located at the Thurston House Bed and Breakfast or at your rental accommodation. His lifetime of experience with health and healing and his calm and reassuring manner enable him to offer you a memorable massage experience.
In addition to massage, he and his wife, Ruth Fordon, a life coach and former psychotherapist, are available for consultation and/or for designing Personal Path Retreats that focus on health issues and the challenges of life transitions.
