Happy Ours (formerly The Smart Cottage) - WV29

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Build a Sandcastle

Plan an afternoon to go to the beach and build a sandcastle. You could have your own family sandcastle contest. No matter how the sandcastles turn out, you are sure to have fun! If you are staying on Ocracoke on July 4th, join the Sand Castle Contest or stop by for some inspiration.

Stargaze

Did you know that Ocracoke has no traffic lights, no billboards, minimal traffic and very few public exterior lights (streets can be dark!). With minimal light pollution and very little air pollution, Ocracoke is the ideal place for stargazing. Whether you are on the beach under a clear night sky or on your deck, there will be nothing between you and the heavens. You'll be amazed at what you see. Ocracoke is a great place to bring your telescope or a star chart with you on vacation!

Tour the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, located in Hatteras Village, was created to preserve the maritime history and shipwrecks of the Outer Banks throughout history. The museum has a unique design with an entrance modeled after the timbers of the many shipwrecks that have happened along the treacherous Hatteras coast. For more information, contact the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum at (252) 986-2995. Conveniently located next to the Hatteras Ferry Terminal, a museum visit can be combined with other Hatteras Island attractions for a day off the island.

Go on an Adventure To View Local Shipwrecks

Because the Outer Banks, referred to as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic," has record of more than 100 shipwrecks throughout history, you may stumble upon the remains of a shipwreck while enjoying our pristine beaches. Unidentified wooden remains can be viewed on the beach between the Pony Pen parking lot and the next northern paved parking area. For information on other remains, inquire at the National Park Service Visitor Center located near the ferry terminal in the village.

Visit Springer's Point on Ocracoke Island

Residents and guests of Ocracoke Island are fortunate to share in the beauty of the Springer's Point Preserve. The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust enriches the coastal communities of North Carolina through the acquisition of open space and natural areas for conservation, education and the promotion of good land stewardship. Springer's Point offers more than 120 acres of maritime forest, tidal red cedar forest, salt marsh, tidal ponds, grasslands and sound front beaches. It has been designated as one of the state's significant natural heritage areas because of its unique maritime forest and importance to coastal birds. Springer's Point is open to the public. Visitor's are invited to enjoy paths through this unique maritime forest which lead you to soundfront beaches and include an area that overlooks the infamous Teach's Hole. Please plan to travel to the preserve by foot or bicycle. Parking is not available.

Go Jogging on the Beach

Why not take advantage of the sandy Atlantic beaches and go jogging on the beach? They say you get twice the benefit from jogging on sand versus other jogging surfaces, so give it a try! Jogging on the beach is a great way to get that workout in while you enjoy the beaches of the Outer Banks.

Browse the Local Gift Shops and Boutiques

Whether your shopping interests are boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, local souvenir shops or seafood markets, you will find a variety of interesting stores on Ocracoke, and since the village is so small, you can walk or bike between most stores.

Spend a Relaxing Afternoon of Kayaking or Canoeing

People of any age and skill level can enjoy a relaxing afternoon of kayaking or canoeing in the calm waters of Silver Lake Harbor or the Pamlico Sound. Silently paddle among the sailboats that are anchored in the harbor. Schools of baitfish ripple across the surface as a family of ducks swim up to join you. Ocracoke's flora and fauna will delight you, as seagulls reel overhead and a pelican dives into the water after a snack. In a kayak, you are right there at eye level with nature.

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.

Visit the Historic British Cemetery

Located on Ocracoke, the British Cemetery is a memorial cemetery for the crew of the British vessel HMS Bedfordshire. On May 11, 1942, a German submarine torpedoed and sank this 170-foot British ship that had four officers and 33 enlisted soldiers on board. All men on board the ship perished and eventually four of the bodies were found on shore by locals. An Ocracoke resident gave Britain a 12 by 14 foot section of land next to an island cemetery and buried the soldiers there. Today, the cemetery is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. A ceremony is performed onsite each year on the anniversary of the tragedy.