Ocracoke among the ’17 Best Beach Towns in the U.S. With Laid-back Vibes and Stunning Coastal Views’ – OBX Today

Ocracoke Lighthouse station and boardwalk. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Ocracoke Island has been placed among the “17 Best Beach Towns in the U.S. With Laid-back Vibes and Stunning Coastal Views” by travel outlet Travel & Leisure.

Contributor Anne Olivia Bauso denotes the following for Ocracoke’s 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 BanksOcracoke 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).

Joining Ocracoke are beach towns from California, Rhode Island, and Florida to name a few.

To review the full list on travelandleisure.com, click here to be redirected.