Located about 40 miles northeast of Wilmington, Topsail Island is a 26-mile-long barrier island home to three quaint seaside towns: North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and Topsail Beach, and a number of restaurants and gift shops. Nearby you can find the historic 65-feet-tall Ocracoke Lighthouse, which is North Carolina’s oldest lighthouse in operation and the second oldest in the United States.Ĭheck out Teach’s Hole Blackbeard Exhibit and Pirate Store for some pirate history, hike Hammock Hills Nature Trail for an up-close experience with diverse flora and fauna, visit the British Cemetery, soak up the sun at Pamlico Sound beach, take a ghost tour and explore the eclectic shopping and dining scene. Springer’s Point Nature Preserve is another great place to reconnect with nature as it features a 0.8-mile nature trail that will take you through a maritime forest, salt marshes, and wet grasslands. ![]() Ocracoke’s wildlife attractions deserve special attention, so make sure to visit 188-acre Ocracoke Pony Pens to admire wild Banker ponies, which are descendants of Spanish mustangs believed to have arrived with shipwrecked explorers in the 16th or 17th century. Here you can try kayaking, surfboarding, SUPing, wave running, parasailing, fishing, and even clam digging. The main highlight of Ocracoke Island is certainly miles of uncrowded and undeveloped beaches. This 16-mile-long barrier island in North Carolina, home to Ocracoke village, is accessible only by one of three ferry routes, private plane, or private boat. Ocracoke Islandīeing one of three islands that comprise the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Ocracoke Island offers the perfect getaway for those who are in search of miles of unspoiled, pristine beaches and some breathtaking sunsets. Next, you can check out stunning Elizabethan Gardens, a 10-acre botanical garden featuring a statue devoted to Virginia Dare and acres of well-manicured paths packed with breathtaking plants, trees, bushes, and flowers.Ĭlimb aboard the Elizabeth II, a full-scale replica of the ships that first transported the original colonists catch the longest-running outdoor drama, The Lost Colony, which runs throughout summer visit Roanoke Island Maritime Museum to admire exhibits of unique boats travel back in time to the mid-1800s at Island Farm living-history museum and don’t forget to check out the gorgeous Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse. Then head to the 25-acre Roanoke Island Festival Park to get a glimpse at what life was like for those original colonists through interactive exhibits and festivals. History buffs shouldn’t miss visiting the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site to explore Roanoke Island’s rich past. Named after the historical Roanoke, Carolina Algonquian people who lived there in the 16th century at the time of English colonization, this small island is accessible from the mainland via the Virginia Dare, William B. ![]() Nestled between the North Carolina mainland and Nags Head, Roanoke Island, home to the towns of Wanchese and Manteo, is an eight-mile hidden gem on the Outer Banks. Did we miss any amazing North Carolina islands? Let us know in the comments! Best Islands in North Carolina Roanoke Island In this article, we’ve compiled a list of all the different islands in North Carolina that you definitely should check out. Here, you will be able to get a taste of Southern charm and vast stretches of the Atlantic Ocean.īest of all, if you enjoy waterfront activities, you will have more than enough to do while there. Did you know that there are dozens of islands off of North Carolina that are the perfect place for a calm summer getaway? These are the best islands in North Carolina (and what to do on each)!īest known for its beaches and dreamy mountains to the west, it’s definitely worth considering a vacation in North Carolina, particularly to its islands where you are able to get away from the hustle and bustle of your daily life! Best islands in North Carolina
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