Known as the Pearl of Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island has miles of wild, secluded beaches. South of Frisco, Hwy 12 – The Frisco public beach access offers a bath house with restrooms and showers. Plenty of parking, an outdoor shower, pit toilets and a changing area. During the public comment session, Al Scarborough spoke about the displeasure expressed by visitors due to a lack of soundside access on Ocracoke Island. Busted on the Beach; Home » Sea & Sound » Soundside Access. As you leave Ocracoke Village and head toward the Hatteras ferry terminal, you can access the beach right away. Private access allows vehicles vehicles on the beach between October 1 - April 30. There are other campgrounds around the island, but the official National Park Service campground is right over the dune from the ocean. The Lifeguard Beach has a water bottle filling station, pet water fountain, a wheelchair friendly beach access ramp, and a viewing platform. Print Feedback. Approximately 90% of Florida’s beach/coastal access points are open to the public. Overview; Comments; Connections; Multimedia; Impacts; Overview. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and can be accessed from the Lifeguarded Beach public parking area ¼ mile north of Ramp 70 on N.C. Highway 12 just outside Ocracoke Village. #7 - Emerald Promenade Beachwalk. Unlike sound beaches on the northern Outer Banks, the water here is saltier and the bottom is sand rather than silt or grass. Ocracoke Beach Access, Lifeguard Beach. Overview; Comments; Connections; Multimedia; Impacts; Overview. Ocracoke’s northern beaches feel remote and secluded. Then about the same distance farther is another 4WD access ramp. Kids love to play at Springer point and water shoes are recommended. On-site signage, rather than a beach access map, is the most accurate and current indication of what is open or closed to the public. During the summer season, pets are not allowed in the designated lifeguarded area while lifeguards are on duty. Legal. Coquina Beach – Bodie Island Lighthouse Visitor Center • 252.441.5711; Cape Hatteras National Seashore – Visitor Information Center • 252.995.4474; Ocracoke National Seashore – Ocracoke Visitor Center • 252.928.4531; There are also several equipment rental companies that offer weekly beach wheelchairs rentals. There are six beach access points on the island, but only one has a lifeguard so that's where most locals and visitors go to swim. Kitty Hawk - Driving on the beach is prohibited. If the tide and current are right, you will see lots of wildlife and maybe find a Scotch Bonnet, the rare state shell of North Carolina. To access South Point, look for a sign on your right for a path to the south. All reviews sand dunes kitty hawk easy walk shells fishing pony waves nature storm island ferry. I believe there are at least three or paved parking areas for public beach access. No votes yet. Restrooms are available only at the lifeguarded beach (in season) and north ferry terminal, so come prepared. Located just north of Ocracoke Village on the isolated yet beautiful Ocracoke Island, Lifeguard Beach is known for pristine white sand, gorgeous dunes, clean water and no commercial or high rise development in sight. Ocracoke Island Realty. Hyde County to host Pamlico Sound public access discussion on Ocracoke Island. Menu & Reservations Make Reservations . NPS is a good beach if you don’t have a 4WD, but want to avoid the relatively more popular crowded Lifeguard Beach. Kill Devil Hills - Driving on the beach is permitted with permit between October 1 - April 30 through designated access points. Heading north toward the Hatteras ferry terminal, the next access takes you to the NPS campground. Box 238 To drive on the beach, be sure to get a ten-day or annual permit from the NPS. Lifeguard Beach is the first beach outside of Hawaii or Florida to ever reach the number one position on Dr. Beach's coveted list. Find information on how to get an ORV Permit for your trip to Ocracoke. Monitored turtle nests line the dunes and we enjoyed learning more about the turtles from the park rangers . Southern Shores - Driving on the beach is prohibited. Four miles past Pony Pens, you reach the northernmost 4wd access, just before you get to the ferry docks. Photo by Sarah Johnson. In early September 2019, Ocracoke Island fell victim to Hurricane Dorian destroying about 1,000 feet of pavement along NC 12. Dogs must be leashed. NC Lifeguards - Ocracoke has a lifeguarded beach that is located about halfway in between the Hatteras Ferry Terminal and Ocracoke Village. Feel the freedom of Ocracoke’s open beaches from your car. Always clean and the beach is flat backed by sand dunes. Another half mile north is a slightly larger parking lot that is practically on the beach, with almost no dunes to walk through. Nice. Be aware that trucks may be sharing the beach. Visitors come here to celebrate freedom, find rare shells, and enjoy the open ocean. Flickr / Ole Bendik Kvisberg. Skip to main content. Although, it’s a fun and convenient way to experience the gorgeous beaches of Hatteras Island. Ocracoke Beach Access NC. The further away you go the less crowded it will be. Home › Groups › Ocracoke › Ocracoke Beach Access, Lifeguard Beach. Beach hours and general access are dependent upon the season and wildlife protection closures. Another popular sunset spot further down the road is actually private property. Not quite three months after Hurricane Dorian ripped through North Carolina's Outer Banks, public access is set to return to Ocracoke Island at Cape Hatteras National Seashore on December 2. Curfew: With the mandatory evacuation still in place on Ocracoke, post-Hurricane Dorian restrictions, such as no alcohol sales and the nighttime curfew are still in effect and will be for a while, officials said Monday. Beach access update for south point on ocracoke island. Catonsville, Maryland 2,075 contributions 490 helpful votes. Located just a couple miles outside of town, this public beach also features a wide parking area, bathrooms, and even showers to wash off after a long day of playing on the sand. During the Season (5/1 – 11/5), beach fires are only permitted at Lifeguard Beach, which the NPS refers to as Ocracoke Day Use Area. Lifeguard Beach is the only lifeguarded beach on the island. Each of these lots provides access to the beach via footpaths. Ocracoke is famous for the natural beauty of its sand, sun, and surf. A 4WD accessible ramp to the beach is also found a little more than a mile away, although a beach driving permit from the National Park Service is required to drive on the island… You can have a bonfire if you fill out this handy online permit: Driving on the beach is a fun Ocracoke Island activity. 1075 Irvin Garrish Hwy Fax:1-252-928-1065 He explained how many people are unhappy that going out to the sound from Ocracoke requires an ORV permit, but access is free on Hatteras Island with large public parking areas and roadside pull-offs. © 2021 Ocracoke Island Realty All rights reserved. Order Online Tickets Tickets See Availability Directions {{::location.tagLine.value.text}} Sponsored Topics. Closed areas are clearly marked. Seashore staff say Hyde County officials will lift the visitor evacuation order for Ocracoke Island on Monday, December 2, … All of the Ocracoke Island ocean beaches are part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, so National Park Service rules apply everywhere. No votes yet. Each of these lots provides access to the beach via footpaths. You can easily access the beach just outside of Ocracoke Village. Trash cans are stationed at many public parking areas and the Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach. There is another 4WD access a mile to the north, with no parking. Robbie’s Way is one of the few remaining publicly accessible paths to the Sound. South Point is a classic Ocracoke beach. Plenty of parking, an outdoor shower, pit toilets and a changing area. Ocracoke, Outer Banks: Photo by Debbie Panell - Public Access ramp, Ocracoke Island, NC - Check out Tripadvisor members' 1,985 candid photos and videos. We loved it for morning beach walls. Each of these lots provides access to the beach via footpaths. Ocracoke Beach Driving PermitsOff-Road Vehicle Access Map. Closed Sundays Nov - Feb, Rentals:(866) 806-0782 Ocracoke Beach was very nice with a long wide beach and attractive mounds of sand dunes and sea grasses. P.O. Sales:(866) 806-0782 Ocracoke Beach Access, Lifeguard Beach. There is 4WD vehicle access here, as well as some parking spaces. it is across from the pony pen on cape hatteras national seashore on ocracoke island nchttp://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCoa4jKzQ4GcRWXH4Q2T6-e2SF7X26wNR Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed. Thanks for learning about Ocracoke’s beautiful beaches. Pony Pens is located close to the center of Ocracoke Island. Ocracoke, Soundside Access. With sixteen miles of pristine, undeveloped, wild beaches, the island always has the perfect spot just for you. Subscribe | What is RSS: Date: August 19, 2008 Contact: Outer Banks Group, (252) 473-2111 ext 148 Deputy Superintendent Darrell Echols announced today the reopening of South Point on Ocracoke Island for off-road vehicle (ORV) access effective August 18, 2008. 0 comments; share this site; This is the most popular beach on Ocracoke and the only one with a lifeguard. In addition to the life-guarded beach day use area, there are six parking areas north of the village on Highway 12. You should also be aware of restricted areas. Share & Bookmark Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option. Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands remain closed to General Public. Ocracoke Island Realty Currituck Beach Lighthouse [Kari Pugh photo] Officials have enacted states of emergency in Hyde and Currituck counties, moving to restrict visitor access to Ocracoke Island and the northern beaches of Corolla and Carova. Normal access was restored as of December 5, 2019. Local Phone:1-252-928-6261 Mark G wrote a review Nov 2020. Closures occur during breeding seasons of protected birds and sea turtles. Afterwards, Ocracoke Island was closed to visitors for contractors to repair the road and dune line. We look forward to sharing our island with you! Dedicated to honor Charles and Robbie Runyon’s estate, Robbie’s Way a 15-foot wide access way to the Pamlico Sound from the south side of the island (Down Point) to OPS. The trailhead for Springer’s Point is on Loop Road, a short walk beyond the lighthouse. Beach access: As of 9 a.m. today, all those with ORV permits may drive on the beach at South Point Road and the Airport ramp. |  Gallery  |  Photo Spheres. Natural beach with showers, and walkway to the beach. Drive Your Car on the Beaches of Ocracoke Island. Take this path for three miles and you will arrive at South Point, the southern tip of Ocracoke Island. Beach parking is across from the Pony Pens on the right. No metal detecting is allowed. 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