Ocracoke Island is one of three islands that comprise the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, a 70-mile undeveloped national seashore managed by the National Park Service offering a number of secluded visitor beaches and opportunities for boating, fishing, surfing, and swimming. Lucky visitors can catch a glimpse of the island’s wild pony population, which are believed to be descended from mustangs owned by Spanish explorers. The island is accessible via several passenger ferries from the mainland and nearby islands and from the public-use Ocracoke Island Airport. A variety of eclectic locally-owned shops and restaurants are offered within the National Register of Historic Places-listed Ocracoke Village, located on the island’s southern end, which is also home to the Ocracoke Island Lighthouse, the state’s oldest operating lighthouse.

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