Revered for its seclusion in comparison to many locales like it, Ocracoke Island has been named one of the “17 Best Beach Towns in the U.S. With Laid-back Vibes and Stunning Coastal Views” by vacation destination outlet, travelandleisure.com.
Travel and Leisure contributor Anne Olivia Bauso notes the following as to why Ocracoke received the inclusion on the list:
Before it was permanently settled in the 1700s, this tiny island was a hideout for pirates, the infamous Blackbeard among them. Today, the same remoteness that once drew buccaneers lures tens of thousands of yearly visitors. Accessible only by boat or ferry — this is one of the most distant of North Carolina’s Outer Banks — Ocracoke offers big sandy beaches coupled with wild nature. Around the harbor are slushy stands, surf shops, family-friendly barbecue restaurants and oyster bars, and old-fashioned hotels (cottage rentals and beach camping are popular alternatives).
Ocracoke Island, North Carolina joins the ranks of several other beach towns spanning across the country including Sanibel Island, Florida, Cannon Beach, Oregon, San Clemente, California, and Provincetown, Massachusetts. To see what other beach towns made the list, click here to be redirected to the listicle link on Travel and Leisure.