Sketched into the southern tip of the Outer Banks, Ocracoke has a raw, untamed pirate spirit, but it’s so beautiful it can easily lull you with its sun-soaked charms. The feeling starts from the sea, rolling inward. The island, though relatively small, initially looks expansive due to its miles and miles of pristine beaches, all owned by the National Park Service. Ocracoke twinkles like a bright lure for a summer day trip from other, nearby Outer Banks destinations, and it glides lazily and romantically along for couples looking for a sail, a sea kayak excursion, or a walk to the Ocracoke Lighthouse.