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ABOUT THE AREA
Located on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Ocracoke is
accessible only by water or air.
The relative isolation has spared the island development
that plagues so many beach
towns. You can park your car and walk, bicycle or paddle
everywhere you need to go.
Part of the Cape Hatteras
National Seashore, the National Park Service owns all of
Ocracoke Island except for the 1000 acres that comprise the
original village. For 13
continuous miles, the island’s dunes and marshlands are
untouched and the pristine
beaches earned the distinction of #1 on the 2007 list of top
beaches in America
(compiled by Stephen Leatherman, a Florida International
University coastal
geologist
who rates beaches nationwide,
www.drbeach.org/drbeach
and voted #5 beach
in the world by
Conde' Nast Traveler.
Home to about 800 year-round
residents the Ocracoke community, established in
the early 1700s by people of British descent, has remained
relatively isolated from
the mainland.
The
speed limit in the village is 20-25 mph and in some areas
you will have to
slow down even more. Pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles all
share the road,
so be considerate. Bicycles are expected to ride on the
right. In the summer,
there can be congestion on Highway 12, but have patience.
Ocracoke traffic
jams do not last long.
For
more information on the Island and links to restaurants,
shopping
and more, visit the Ocracoke Island Civic and Business
Website
at
ocracokevillage.com. |