This remote island paradise with just one road, houses on stilts, pristine undeveloped beaches, now also boasts the number one rank for its Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach. Its 300 yards of sun-baked sand has earned it this top rank in 2007 from Dr Beach.
Sunset taking the ferry back from Ocracoke Island, NC , Image credit: Lee Carson
Location: Ocracoke Island is located at the southernmost tip of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Ballerina and the sunset, Image credit: Katie Dills
This fragile chain of barrier islands along North Carolina’s coast known as the graveyard of the Atlantic. It is here that you find 14 miles of unspoiled, undisturbed barrier beach!
Beach, sea water and fun, Image credit: Katie Dills
Accessible only by boat or private plane, there are only about 800 full-time residents of the island where the pirate Blackbeard met his untimely death at the hands of the Royal Navy in 1718.
Ocracoke Harbor early morning , Image credit: J Crowley
The village is located at the widest point of the island, protected from the Atlantic Ocean by sand dunes and a salt marsh. The island also boasts 25-foot sand dunes, topped by sea oats. All businesses of the island are run by the residents themselves that is a refreshingly rare change from franchises.
Sand dune and sea oats on Ocracoke Island , Image credit: Bob Muller
Earlier the destination was popular as an ancient fishing village. The mainstay of the islands economy is tourism, weekly rental houses, hotels and campgrounds are full of tourists during spring.
The Ocracoke Lighthouse, one of North America’s oldest lighthouses, is situated near Silver Lake Image credit: Matthew Canedy
Sandy beaches of Ocracoke Island, Image credit: Will Burnham
Several bars, dozens of restaurants, and many shops, stores also cater to those tourists that come only for the day across the ferry from Hatteras Island.
Beach homes built on stilts, Image credit: Matthew Canedy
Ocracoke has been a favorite of Dr Beach for years, he ranked it No. 3 in 2006 and No. 2 in 2005. By winning this year, it will be retired from consideration, along with other past champions.
Beach sand fun, Image credit
Leatherman ranks beaches on 50 criteria, using a 1 to 5 scale. No beach has ever gotten all 250 points, and Ocracoke ranked somewhere in the 230s. He ranks only swimming beaches.
Beautiful sunset, Image credit: Stephen Jesse Taylor
Well if these beautiful photos and inviting write up has inspired you to visit here, do help in preserving its beauty just the way it is!
Source: CNN
