| Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach located on Outer Banks, North Carolina has taken the Number One spot in the Top 10 Beaches 2007. This has broken a tradition in the 17 year history of the catalogue that a beach not found in the states of Hawaii or Florida has been picked as the national winner. This is a great milestone for a beach located in the Southeastern region of America and not in the state of Florida.
This beach has a shoreline of fourteen miles with a serene atmosphere and plenty of evident wildlife. There are other beach resorts in the Outer Banks but with it's serenity and beautiful surroundings Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach is set apart from the rest.
This is a special place to get away from the "hustle and bustle" of everyday life. If you are looking for excitement, golf, amusement parks, etc. this is not the place to be. The noise and bright lights are missing here. It is a true experience in the "laid back" atmosphere of life.
There are other sites to see on Ocracoke including the Ocracoke Lighthouse, historic houses and mansions, antique shops. Other forms of recreation include exploring and watching the wildlife. You can see and abundance of birds and also the wild horses and ponies grazing on the fields.
One of the primary reasons that the beach retains it's secluded atmosphere is that island has a restricted access. You have to travel by public ferry, watercraft, or amphibious aircraft to get to it.
General Information
Ocracoke Island is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and is owned by the US National Park Service which has provided a large parking area at the southern end of the island.
There is also a Visitors Center with Public Restrooms nearby. It is best to walk or cycle when possible. There are bike rentals available. If you do drive, remember that pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles have to share the roads.
During the peak tourist season which is June and July, there can be some minor congestion on the main highway 12. The speed limit on most of the main roads is 20 or 25 MPH.
Due to the possibility of hurricanes, the month of August may not be the best choice to vacation on the Outer Banks. Not only does hurricanes in this area affect the environment but the currents, waves, and tides can be affected by weather that is not necessarily that close.
If you are looking for a great vacation retreat at the beach, remember that Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach is rated as Number One among the American Beaches.
Charles Oxford
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