Ocracoke’s rebuilding progress continues

As spring approaches, Ocracoke Island continues to rebuild from the devastation of Hurricane Dorian last September.  Workers are working night and day to get homes and businesses open as soon as possible.

As Jason Wells, co-owner of Jason’s Restaurant, said recently, “We need business in order to recover. Don’t hesitate to book your stay! We need you.”

The following is information on what’s open gathered by the Ocracoke Civic & Business Association.

What to expect
Some debris remains along the highway throughout the village but continues to be cleared. Islanders are busy repairing their homes and businesses, so be respectful of tarped property and be sensitive when asking about personal experiences. Many are not looking forward to rehashing the tale of their losses.

What’s open now

Lodging
Bluff Shoal Motel; Captain’s Landing Waterfront Inn; Pam’s Pelican B & B; Pony Island Motel; The Anchorage Inn; The Berkley Manor; The Castle Bed & Breakfast/Courtyard Villas; Blue Heron Realty, Ocracoke Island Realty; Jerniman’s Campground & Golf Cart Rentals.

Food & Drink

Howard’s Pub (open Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 8:30 p.m.), Magic Bean Coffee Bazaar, Plum Pointe Kitchen; Taqueria 504Suazo’s; Zillie’s.

Shopping
ABC Store; Bella Fiore (March 9); Books to be Red & Deepwater Pottery;

Down Creek Gallery; Island Artworks; Kitty Hawk Kites; Ocracoke Cigars; Ocracoke Variety Store; Pirates Chest; Ride the Wind Surf Shop/Ride the Wind Outdoors; Village Craftsmen (March 9).

Charter Boats, Marina, Tackle and Beach
Anchorage Marina (March 15); Dreamgirl Sportfishing; Drumstick Fishing Charter (March 15); Gecko Sportfishing; Tradewinds Bait & Tackle (March 14), Rascal Charter Boats; Ocracoke Island Realty – Beach Outfitters.

Services
Angie’s Gym; 4×4 Beach Ride Rentals; Coyote Music Den; Yoga with Amy/Deep Blue Bodywork & Massage; Harrell & Associates; Island Mobile Medical Care; PA; OBX Rentals and Shuttle Services; Ocracoke Alive; Ocracoke Island Realty – Sales; Ocracoke Island Golf Carts (March 15), Ocracoke Island Yoga, Ocracoke Community Library (Monday-Friday 1 to 5 p.m. in temporary location in WOVV radio station), WOVV 90.1 FM Radio, OcracokeStyle (wedding planners); Schooner Windfall II Sailing Charters; Stillwater Spa & Wellness.
DJ Tommy; Ocean Atlantic Event Rentals; OcracokeStyle, Wedding Minister (April 1)

Opening later

Lodging
Blackbeard’s Lodge (May); Cove Bed & Breakfast (May); Crews Inn B&B (TBA); Edwards of Ocracoke Cottages (March); Harborside Motel; Ocracoke Harbor Inn and Cottages (March 19); Oscar’s House B&B (Late April/early May); Sand Dollar Motel (April); Old Island Home, Silver Lake Motel & Inn, Teeter’s Campground (March 15), NPS Campground (April 10).

Food & Drink

1718 Brewing Ocracoke (March 13), Back Porch Lunchbox (Memorial Day); Back Porch (April 9); Dajio; Eduardo’s (early March); Flying Melon (March 26); Fig Tree Bakery & Deli; Gaffer’s (Summer); Helios’ Hideaway; Jason’s Restaurant (May 1); Jolly Roger Restaurant & Marina; Ocracoke Coffee Co. (Mid-April); Ocracoke Oyster Company (April 8); Old Salt Sandwiches & Such (April 1); Pony Island Restaurant (early Spring); Slushy Stand (mid- to late March); Sorella’s Pizza & Pasta (TBA); SmacNally’s Bar & Grill (April 1); Thai Moon, Flying Melon Restaurant (closed March 8 to 25; reopen March 26),

Shops
Island Ragpicker (April), Harborside Gift Shop; Mermaid’s Folly (May 1); Moonraker Tea Shop (April); Ocracoke Seafood Co.; Ocracoke Island Trading Co. (April 1); Ocracoke Garden Center (in the next week or two), Over the Moon, Sea Break (April 1), The Sunglass Shop (Easter), Sweet Tooth, Village Thrift (April 15)

Recreation
Blue Heron Golf Cart Rentals, Native Parasail (May 15); Rascal Charter Boats;, Restless Native Boat Rentals (March 15); Drumstick Fishing Charters (April 1); Ghost & History Walks (April 7/10/14/17; May19, every Tues & Fri.); Ocracoke Waverunners (May 1), Portsmouth Island Boat Tours; Wheelie Fun Golf Carts (March 27)

Services
Public Library (Monday-Friday 1 to 5 p.m. in temporary location at WOVV Radio Station), WOVV Radio

Exhibits & Museums
Ocracoke Preservation Museum & Gift Shop; Ocracoke Working Watermen’s Exhibit, Teach’s Hole Blackbeard Exhibit

Entertainment
Deepwater Theater (Spring); Coyote Den (May 19)

National Park Service facilities and services:
-All beaches, ORV routes and ramps are open.
-Expect seasonal closures on ORV routes for nesting shorebird activity.
-NPS Lifeguard Beach will be open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
-Ocracoke ponies are well; Pony Pen viewing is open.
– Ocracoke Campground opens April 10.
– Portions of the Hammock Hills Nature Trail were damaged by Hurricane Dorian. One half of the loop trail is open. While you cannot complete a “loop,” you can walk through the forest all the way to Pamlico Sound for a beautiful view. While a portion of the trail is closed, there is still a lot of trail to explore.
-The Ocracoke lighthouse grounds are open, but the light keeper’s quarters are closed for repair.

Local Resources for Travelers
VisitOcracokeNC.com – the updates from the island, as well as a list of local businesses and upcoming events 252-928-6711.
N.C. Department of Transportation (https://www.ncdot.gov/divisions/ferry/) – status and schedule of all ferries to and from the island