by Ric Hylton

Created on: January 21, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

I find myself always searching maps. Searching for the places where the road ends. So when I noticed on the North Carolina map that several roads ended on their journey to this little island town, I was hooked. Add in a ferry ride and the fact that the most famous pirate in the world actually meet his violent end here and the seed of a road trip was planted. It seems I just had to go to Ocracoke, the most secluded and least developed town on North Carolina's Outer Bank.

Any trip to Ocracoke will either involve a ferry or a plane. There are three ferries serving the island. The most popular is the free ferry reached after a long and scenic drive down NC Route 12. It crosses the Hatteras Inlet on the northeastern end of the island. During the busiest parts of the day one will leave either side every half an hour. It does drop to hourly departures during off peak times. This ferry requires no reservation. Just show up and drive on. Both the Swan Quarter and the Cedar Island ferries which dock right inside Ocracoke Harbor require reservations as well as a fee. These are relaxing , often dolphin escorted, 2 to 3 hour rides from the mainland. Check the website www.ncdot.org/transit/ferry for schedules and the rates based upon vehicle size.

No matter which way you arrive on the island, once there one of the first things you'll want to do is eat. The small town has several fine eateries. The complete lack of chain food restaurants is very refreshing. One of our greatest joys is to eat at the Jolly Roger. It is right in downtown, easily within walking distance of all the local shops. It definitely has the "island feel" one searches for. It is even dog friendly, we've taken ours there several times. Sitting at one of their dockside tables, listening to the seagulls, with a warm salt air breeze caressing you is one of life's finer pleasures. Pick anything from the menu, its all good. Stare at the harbor while sipping a cool drink and its very easy to imagine the pirate ships of old bobbing on their anchor chains.

Jason's another one of our favorite places to eat, as well as Howard's a local landmark, are on the outer edge of town. These are the places we usually head to after dark. Sometimes we have even ended up in the dark at both places. It is an island and sometimes the electricity goes out. No problem it just adds to the island ambiance. Both places have remarkable fresh seafood entrees. Choose either one, you won't be disappointed. Instead of choosing we like to stay

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