Ocracoke's lifeguarded beach, staffed daily from 8am to 8pm
Ocracoke's lifeguarded beach sits within Cape Hatteras National Seashore, on the Atlantic side of the island: reachable only by ferry, the free hour-long run from Hatteras village or the longer toll crossings from Cedar Island or Swan Quarter on the mainland. National Park Service lifeguards are on duty here daily from 8am to 8pm, making it the one stretch of Ocracoke's shoreline with official supervision rather than open, unguarded sand.
189 reviews
4 months ago
This is our favorite beach so far in the Outer Banks. The sand is white and the beach is wide. There is decent shell hunting here with many more whole shells than on some other beaches. There is a pretty long boardwalk over the dune but it has a ramp at both ends and also an over look on the beach side if you just want the view and are not going out on the beach. There is free parking, restrooms, and a rinsing station. It is beautiful here.
3 months ago
Beautiful beach with great views. Ask the lifeguards about the water conditions. They were really nice guys. It's never crowded & the water has always been great when we visited. If the water is rough you may not find many shells but I'd still try. Go during sunrise & sunset to get good pics. The ghost crabs come out at night & are fun to "catch" with your flashlight!!
10 months ago
Seeing as I went off season, there was no one else there. It was beautiful and peaceful.
a year ago
Love walking along the beach here, miles and miles of undisturbed dunes, turtle nesting area. Small area for swimming with lifeguards in season. Road access for surf fishing a little further south on the beach
6 years ago
Easily one of the best beaches in the US. This is a spectacular stretch if beach! Technically 12 miles or so long it stretches from Ocracoke inlet to Hatteras inlet. I'm talking about the part close to the town of Ocracoke just passed the airstrip. I've seen whales twice and dolphin pretty much every time I go. There is a well kept changing/bath room and outdoor showers. The boardwalk to the beach features a wheelchair friendly overlook too.