The Outlaw Cottage - CR26

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Go To a Wine Tasting

Seasonal wine tastings are hosted by Zillie's Pantry, a specialty gourmet shop, located on Ocracoke. They feature a great selection of wines, micro-brews, and beers from around the world, along with gourmet foods, cheeses, and cigars. Five wines are paired with hors' doerves from the pantry. Selections change weekly and space is limited, so call for a reservation, (252) 928-9036.

Make a Friend, Talk To a Local

Strike up a conversation with a local, especially an older one, and you might be surprised how much you can learn about the island. Also known as Ocockers, the native islanders are a tight knit bunch. There is a real sense of community on Ocracoke. You're sure to notice the Ocracoke "brogue," the famous local dialect that has evolved over the past 250 years. Sit for a spell and let a real Ococker tell you about some of the historical and cultural lore of Ocracoke.

Watch the Charter Boats Come in with Their "Catch of the Day"

The docks around Silver Lake Harbor will be brimming with the day's catch in the afternoon, when the charter boats arrive. You will see tired, sunburned (and happy) fishermen, whistling mates and captains. View a selection of the tuna, wahoo, mackerel, dolphin and other choice catches of the day. Watch the mates clean the day's catch at the fish cleaning station.

Become a Part of the Ocracoke Community For a Week, Settle in For a Longer Stay in the Off Season or Call Ocracoke "Home"

Ocracoke is a small coastal community, both is size and population. After a short time on the island, you are likely to recognize familiar faces. You will find yourself in a conversation or share a nod with a local resident. Many visitors long for the small town environment and slower pace. Luckily, many cottage homeowners offer their homes for longer term rentals outside of the peak season. For information on off season rentals call Ocracoke Island Realty at (252) 928-6261.

Take Your Four Wheel Drive Vehicle on the Beach

You can drive on the beach in many parts of the Outer Banks in designated off-road beach access areas. You will need to have a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle to prevent getting stuck. Some areas don't allow beach driving and some require permits to drive on the beach in certain seasons, so check with the local area officials to make sure you are following the rules. For more information, contact the National Park Service at (252) 473-2111 or stop by the National Park Service Visitors Center on Ocracoke.

Discover Ocracoke's Rich Fishing History

Ocracoke Island has a rich fishing history. This history was about to come to an end with the closure of Ocracoke's last remaining fish house. A group of local fishermen joined together to form the Ocracoke Working Watermen's Association. The group operates under the nonprofit Ocracoke Foundation, incorporated in August 2006. In addition to operating as a commercial fish house, Ocracoke Seafood Company has a retail storefront market that sells fresh fish to the public. The fishermen also see the fish house as a place for educating people about commercial fishing and for showing them, hands-on, the skills of their livelihood. The Ocracoke's Watermen's Association and Fish House is located at 416 Irvin Garrish Highway on Ocracoke. For hours and information, call (252) 928-5601.

Go Surf Fishing on the Beach

Visitors and locals to the Outer Banks share the popular sport of surf fishing. You will need to purchase a fishing license to go saltwater fishing in North Carolina. In addition, some species are regulated for size and limit. For more information about licenses and tag and release programs, contact the Division of Marine Fisheries at (252) 473-5734. Fish species that are common are dogfish, bluefish, pompano, striped bass, spanish mackerel, croaker, flounder, spot, trout and drum.

Take a Scenic Flight Tour

If you think the Outer Banks are beautiful from the ground, wait until you see them from the sky! This stretch of islands and water will amaze you. Depending on where you fly, you will see things from the air such as ocean inlets, lighthouses, a deserted island, shipwrecks, even sharks swimming! Bring your camera, for these adventures provide great photo opportunities of both sea and sound shores and otherwise inaccessible wetlands.

View Locally Made Decoys

Some local residents continue to carry on Ocracoke culture by carving decoys. While once used for hunting, many of the locally made decoys today are sold as collectables and cherished as works of art. Some carvers display their work from home while others have their work displayed in local shops.

Go Boating in the Atlantic Ocean or One of the Local Sounds

There are several docks located throughout Ocracoke to accommodate a range of boat sizes, from small skiffs to large pleasure boats. Many rental properties are equipped with a dock or a bulkhead for your boat. You can also rent a small boat to use during your Ocracoke vacation or consider chartering a boat with an experienced captain to show you the area.