OBX Connection Home > OBX Connection Forum > Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?
Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?

Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




Would Thursday be a good day to drive to Hatteras Island to catch the Ferry to Ocracoke? Family is joining us mid week but they won't arrive until Wednesday sometime..and going home Saturday.. so Thursday may be the best day that they are there to go. Is Howard's Pub the well know,n, popular place in Ocracoke to eat??? I am also looking for a place that is out on a pier from Corolla to Rodanthe... to enjoy a snack, drink... something like that as well. thank you ..


OBX Connection Sponsored Links




RE: Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




The busiest days (and longest waits for the ferry) are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. People daytripping to Ocracoke usually don't head down until after being on the beach a few days. Friday would be preferable to Thursday, if you can make that work. Regardless, get there early as possible, before 10am at least.

Howard's legendary, but it's not my first choice for food. For a day trip I like lunch at Smacknalley's, particularly if the weather is nice. Dajio is also high on my list.

Can't help you with Piers.


RE: Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




Thank you Brad...this really helps... I appreciate it. Will be back here to post pics.. after the trip.. looking forward to it. Taking all your recommendations with me.


RE: Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




Can’t comment on the choice of days, but agree on Smacknalleys. Great place, never miss the chance when we visit Ocracoke. Have fun!

Joe


RE: Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




Would Thursday be a good day to drive to Hatteras Island to catch the Ferry to Ocracoke? Family is joining us mid week but they won't arrive until Wednesday sometime..and going home Saturday.. so Thursday may be the best day that they are there to go. Is Howard's Pub the well know,n, popular place in Ocracoke to eat??? I am also looking for a place that is out on a pier from Corolla to Rodanthe... to enjoy a snack, drink... something like that as well. thank you ..

Chely67
Fish Heads is what you're looking for in South Nags Head. Great happy hour but tends to get crowded so get there early.


RE: Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




hmmm, well let me just try to put your proposed trip into perspective. we live in buxton, and we are 1.5 hours to walmart in kitty hawk. add however north you are from walmart to the 1.5hrs, then add .5 hour to the ferry from here in buxton. then expect another .5hr (but could be much longer) waiting for the ferry, then add another hour for the ferry ride, then 20 minutes to howard's pub. and if you want to stop somewhere along the way....this could easily be a 5 hour trip just to Howards.

We have posters here that live on Ocracoke, maybe they can check my math or at least define the current ferry ride duration...whatever you decide, good luck!




RE: Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




We considered taking this trip from Corolla, but decided it wasn't worth it, given drive/ferry times. The drive from Corolla to Hatteras, with no traffic, is around 2-2.5 hrs. The ferry itself takes an hour and that doesn't include any time you spend waiting for one. Add in drive time on Ocracoke and it seemed like a bit much.

Ocracoke is awesome, but I'd need to at least stay overnight if I was coming down from that far north. Good luck1


RE: Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




that is one heck of a drive. good thing is that if you arrive at the ferry dock around 8, you'll need to leave corolla around 5:30. so traffic will be a little light! looking for that silver lining. mapquest puts it at 2.5 hours from corolla to hatteras village. about the only pier with a restaurant is nags head pier, with fish heads, like MD.Chase said. Neither Avon nor Rodanthe pier have outright restaurants. There are many along the way, though. Keep clear of Froggy Dogs, in my opinion. The ferry terminal at HV has a small building with some vending machines, and there are also a few places for snacks and coffee at the shopping center next to the ferry dock. My favorite spot on Ocracoke for a meal is The Jolly Roger. it's right on the lake and has great views. the best views are on the back porch.


RE: Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




Just to be clear on the pier question and suggestion: Nags Head Pier is at about MP 11.5 with Capt. Andy's as the bar/restaurant. Outer Banks Pier is at about MP 17 or 18 with Fish Heads as the bar/restaurant. I live near NH pier but would much rather go to Fish Heads- better service, food, atmosphere hands down.


RE: Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




WOW Thank you ALL for all this great advice...recommendations.. and where to eat on the pier... I appreciate not going down there with a blindfold on.. basically. I know so many people who go to the OBX but your advice is fabulous, and I will be reading all these as I am there, as well.. Thanks so much. a friend of mine's best friend is a Chef at Owens in Nags Head... I am supposed to stop in and say hello.....


RE: Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




Take it from a local. 5AM


RE: Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




You may also want to consider the Flying Melon ocracoke for dinner. I believe they are open just a few days a week for dinner, and that Thursday is one of those days (might wanna double check that), dinner only.
Howard’s is well known, also good...one of those have to go there cuz everyone does.


RE: Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




Another vote for Fish Heads on the Outer Banks Pier> About MP 18 on the "Beach Road"... enjoy!


RE: Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




Was always curious about ocracoke, but the 10 hrs of driving up and back for a few hours visit was too much for me.


RE: Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




If you're looking for a pier for your Ocracoke trip, you could stop in at Avon Pier. The Pangea Tavern is at the base of the pier and is good for food and drinks.

www.pangeatavern.com/


RE: Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




hmmm, well let me just try to put your proposed trip into perspective. we live in buxton, and we are 1.5 hours to walmart in kitty hawk. add however north you are from walmart to the 1.5hrs, then add .5 hour to the ferry from here in buxton. then expect another .5hr (but could be much longer) waiting for the ferry, then add another hour for the ferry ride, then 20 minutes to howard's pub. and if you want to stop somewhere along the way....this could easily be a 5 hour trip just to Howards.

We have posters here that live on Ocracoke, maybe they can check my math or at least define the current ferry ride duration...whatever you decide, good luck!

riggs


Yep, you have 109 miles of pavement (NC-12 and the bypass) from Corolla Beach Access to Ocracoke Village (2:40 of wheels turning), with a one hour ferry ride, a 30 minute ferry queue, and whatever stops along the way (gotta see the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse). It's easily 4:15 from Corolla, and more if the ferry gets backed up.

Now y'all can see why folks turn around in Hatteras when they see a ferry queue.


RE: Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




We’ve done it and it’s a long day. We enjoyed Ocracoke much more the year we stayed in Frisco. Doubt we’ll be making the trip from Corolla again. Just too much driving after traveling from home to begin with. Like some others have suggested it would be best to spend a few nights on the island to fully appreciate its charms


RE: Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




Go early and take bathing suits with you. The lifeguard beach on Ocracoke is on the top ten beach list! Its pristine and has nice facilities to shower off.
at Hatteras village, close to the ferry, is the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, free, worth a stop.
returning, after you cross the Bonner Bridge, and not far past the entrance to Bodie Island Lighthouse, Old Oregon Inlet Road starts, turn right at sign for NPS maintenance facility. Outer Banks Pier and Fish Heads is at 18.5, even if parking lot is crowded stop anyway, folks are always coming and going. they shut off the grill about 9??
Owens is on beach road, not far past Jennettes Pier, on the left. very fancy, expensive, fabulous food. stop there and go to the piano bar upstairs and get dessert! they are open until 9


RE: Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




Having done the Ocracoke trip more than once (from Duck) my suggestion is to make it a destination. Honestly, if you do it down and back in one day you will be disappointed. Maybe try going there for a weekend, or for a few days after your Corolla trip, etc. A down and back day trip is all drive with very little reward cause you won't have enough time there to really enjoy it.


RE: Best time to leave Corolla and head to Ocracoke?




Fish Heads @ MP 18.5. 15 cent shrimp from 4-6pm. Just watch your speed on Old Oregon Inlet Rd.