Moondance - JD16

• Home
• Amenities
• Photos
• Guest Book
• Things to Do
• Current Weather
• Rates & Availability
• Book Now

Visit the Horses at the Ocracoke Pony Pens

Housed in a 180-acre pasture located just off Highway 12 on Ocracoke Island, the horses that live in the Ocracoke Pony Pens are a popular attraction. Maintained by the National Park Service, the once wild horses are a large part of the island's history. In the past, the herd of wild horses ranged from 200 to 500. Much like the Corolla Wild Horses, it is believed that these horses arrived on Ocracoke by swimming ashore from Spanish shipwrecks off the coast. When you make your trip to Ocracoke Island, don't forget to stop and visit the Ocracoke Pony Pens!

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 Ocracoke Library

Shared with the local school, library hours vary according to school activities and are posted on the front door. Internet is available for public use. The library's onsite collection includes Civil War, WWII, Ocracoke family history and pirate resources. Collection information is available online at http://www.bhmlib.org/bhm/Ocracoke.htm. Contact the library at (252) 928-4436.

View the Sunset Over the Sound

After a day of sightseeing, shopping, fishing or surfing, take time to relax and watch the sunset over the Pamlico Sound. Sunset views from the island are breathtaking. The National Park Service Boat Ramp area is a popular spot to watch the sunset on Ocracoke.

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.

Send Ocracoke Postcards To Your Friends and Family

Are you the lucky one among your friends and family who got to take a trip to Ocracoke this year? Take an hour of your precious vacation time and send postcard notes to your loved ones. There are beautiful postcards sold at almost any local gift shop, gallery or grocery store and they are very affordable. Let them know you are thinking about them and that you wish they could be visiting Ocracoke with you. If they can see a postcard of how beautiful it is, maybe you can persuade them to come along with you on your next vacation!

Go Fishing on a Private Charter

There are a large variety of inshore and offshore charters located on Ocracoke. The most commonly caught fish around Ocracoke are drum, flounder, pompano, bluefish, spanish mackerel, spot, striped bass, mahi-mahi, wahoo and tuna. The fishing charter boats are all located around Silver Lake Harbor.

Take Your Kids To Surf Camp

Ride the Wind Surf Shop on Ocracoke offers a kids surf camp in the summer. Classes emphasize water safety as well as surfing skills. They have operated the surf camp for several years and have introduced hundreds of kids to surfing and the surfing community. Check online for the surf camp schedule and reservations information at www.SurfOcracoke.com.

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.

Climb the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

The famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, located in Buxton on Hatteras Island, is possibly the most famous lighthouse in the nation. At 208 feet tall, it is the tallest brick lighthouse, and has survived a move of more than 1,600 feet and saving it from the danger of an eroding shoreline. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is open for climbing from late March to early October each year.