Pirates in the Outer Banks

Land in 16th century North America and discover the swashbuckling history of pirates off the North Carolina coast. You can learn about the local Pirates and jokes about the infamous Blackbeard down in Ocracoke. Learn about another “lost colony” on Roanoke Island—the Freedmen’s Colony. Ocracoke is the southern most island of Cape Hatteras National Seashore on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Our convenient location between the North Carolina mainland and the Outer Banks allows you to experience all of the area’s fantastic activities without the crowds and traffic traveling up and down the coast.

As aforementioned, the shallow waters of the Pamlico Sound which separates the Outer Banks and Ocracoke Island from the Atlantic provided a perfect hiding spot. When he wasn’t at sea, Blackbeard would often return to the coastal and inland communities of North Carolina. As a result, Blackbeard spent a lot of time close to Ocracoke Island, his favorite hideout. If there’s one pirate who stands out as an Outer Banks original, it would definitely be Blackbeard who met his demise on November 22, 1718 off of Ocracoke Island. So come on out, bring the family, sit down and experience life as a pirate at the Jolly Roger!