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This wonderful report is in response to an earlier posting on dining in Ocracoke, NC. (See link below). Between this these two reports, there isn’t much not covered by these veteran visitors to this popular destination on Pamlico Sound off the AICW.

We were anchored in Ocracoke August 6th through 9th. It’s been about a year and a half since we were last there on our own boat. A few notable changes:
1) the dinghy dock at the park service docks is completely gone. We went over to the emegency ladder to get up and dispose of our trash. Rangers had no ETA on replacement.
1A) it has been difficult for awhile to access the dinghy dock at the Community Store due to the presence of a houseboat; now it is virtually impossible due to the same house boat and some small boats inside. We negotiated an arrangement for the week with the fellow that runs the paddle boat concession right there to use that dock. One could also try negotiating with one of the inns to use their lightly used docks. This was never an issue in the off season when we’d go for Thanksgiving.
2) The Community Store itself is closed, a major tragedy, no one knows if and when it will re-open, they have a little flea market with interesting local wares on Wednesday.
3) AT&T has finally put a cell tower up replete with 3G data a major plus for us at least. I would imagine T-Mobile subscribers can roam on it.
4) We went to the Flying Melon, one of favorites on Monday, found it closed on Mondays. We had an excellent lunch (blackened chicken sandwich and shrimp poboy accompanied by great house made curly fries) and watched the Olympics on multiple screens at Gaffer’s Sports Pub just down the road. More of a `locals’ place and a very nice alternative to Howards for bar food. We ended up going back there again one afternoon for a beer and some good crab dip and watch more of the games.
5) Hit the Flying Melon for brunch on Tuesday, as good as ever.
6) Patronized the Ocracoke Seafood co-op store every day for sensational yellow fin tuna and spanish mackerel each of which was converted to sashimi.
7) Finally tried Dajio’s for breakfast per some posts here. Very nice atmosphere, creative food well prepared. Lovely!

By the way, the Corps of Engineers did a new survey of Silver Lake earlier this year. The handy `chart’ is available here as are fairly frequent surveys of most of the inlets in NC:
http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/inlets.htm
[Open to “Ocracoke Inlet”, then “Silver Lake Harbor”]

We have always had good holding in Silver Lake, at both ends, it seems a storm always comes through at least one night of every trip. This time we were a little on the north side, straight out from Anchorage Marina’s southern `gazebo’ dock just off the `shoal’ created by the ferry back wash but still a good distance from the ferries.
As ever, one of our favorite `town’ stops anywhere in the US.
PS: I left off Zillie’s wine bar and gourmet store about a block behind the Anchorage Inn. This has become a popular spot to enjoy a glass of wine or beer on the porch, plus they have an outstanding selection of top notch wines and beers from around the globe to take with you, amongst other treats. We fond a good bottle of sake, along with the wasabi, to go with our sashimi. Perhaps a little `Nantuckety’ for budget minded cruisers but very pleasant nonetheless.
George and Ann
Hatteras 56MY

Click Here To Read An Earlier Report on Ocracoke

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ocracoke.