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Reviews: Ocracoke - Silver Lake
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Review for Ocracoke - Silver Lake
Reviewed by: John Parsons, Pelican, on Jun 24, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 41'
Draft: 4.0'Overall Rating:5Holding:5Wind Protection:5Current Flow:5Wake Protection:4Scenic Beauty:4Ease of Shopping:5Shore Access:5Pet Friendly:5Cell Service:3WiFi:1Great anchorage in the heart of historic, touristic town of Ocracoke. Great holding in sand and shell in 10 to 15 feet of water; held through a summer thunderstorm with 35 kt gusts. Shore access to the East at a small dinghy dock puts you directly in the downtown. Free golf cart shuttle around the small town provided by local shops. Check out the lighthouse and the boat tour to the abandoned village on Portsmouth Island. Locals value tourists, so really service oriented. No wakes except for some gentle rocking from ferry boats. Cool place to spend a few days.
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Review for Ocracoke - Silver Lake
Reviewed by: Jason Spitz, Breathe, on Jun 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'Overall Rating:5Holding:5Wind Protection:5Current Flow:5Wake Protection:5Scenic Beauty:4Ease of Shopping:5Shore Access:5Pet Friendly:5Cell Service:5WiFi:3It's been 4 years since our last review in 2020 and we found Ocracoke to be rebuilt with many improved services. New homes, restaurants and stores dot the island. The anchorage was nice with several cruising boats and room for more. Only one "permanent" looking small sailboat moored directly in the center. Restaurants were good and lots of local artisan shops. Schools and library are new/redone. Library has local books for loan while you are there and also has book sale. The island is much busier traffic wise with cars, golf carts and bicycles. You can rent carts/bikes. Closest Beach is a long walk. Lighthouse is manned by NPS but not climbable. Definitely a great stop along the Pamlico route.
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Review for Ocracoke - Silver Lake
Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER, Jessica Grace, on Apr 30, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'Overall Rating:4Holding:1Wind Protection:5Current Flow:5Wake Protection:5Scenic Beauty:5beautiful anchorage with plenty of room.
However, had 3 unsuccessful anchor setting attempts and moved onto Ocracoke National Park docks. first come first serve. no phone call needed for resveration. if there is space, it's yours. download Recreation.gov beforehand so slow internet connection won't hinder your registering at park office.
Recreation.govView location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
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Review for Ocracoke - Silver Lake
Reviewed by: Johan on Sep 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 54'
Draft: 7.0'Overall Rating:4Holding:3Wind Protection:4Current Flow:5Wake Protection:5Scenic Beauty:4Ease of Shopping:4Shore Access:5Pet Friendly:5Cell Service:3WiFi:2We anchored here after coming through the ocracoke inlet which was very hairy and nav markers were unreliable. Coast guard assured us there was at least 10 feet at mean low under them when they are in the channel. We found it the old way - slowly using caution and eyesight. Channel is precipitous not gradual so very little forgiveness. Do not attempt in swell is my advice. Upon making the right turn into teach's channel we generally had more than 20 feet of water under us and in places saw 30. It's not for the feint of heart as the channel in places can't be more than 8 feet from the beach.
Silver lake has 360 degree protection and ferry makes very little wake. We were there for 3 days during which a 25 knot wind piped up. Holding was not good and we dragged anchor. Local waterman said the bottom is slimy clay so make sure you put out lots of anchor chain. We (mid April) were only one of two boats at anchor so was able to put out a lot more chain and then we held.
Easy shore access and good for sightseeing, good for pets, and restocking at local grocery store.View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
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Review for Ocracoke - Silver Lake
Reviewed by: Jason Spitz, Breathe, on Jul 2, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'Overall Rating:5Holding:5Wind Protection:5Current Flow:5Wake Protection:5Scenic Beauty:5Ease of Shopping:5Shore Access:5Pet Friendly:5Cell Service:2WiFi:2We spent 4 nights in Ocracoke. The ‘lake’ will easily accommodate 10 or more vessels. There were between 3-9 boats anchored each evening. There is a marina and the NPS docks are available as well. Dinghy dockage only at NPS. Hurricane Dorian dumped a 7.5 tide over the island in 2019. The majority of businesses had opened by Late June 2020, but some are still closed. Many buildings have been or are in the process of being raised. Very interesting to watch the process. Apparently there are still about 70 homes to be demolished. The two car ferries are running and there was significant traffic on the island. Bike and golf cart rentals are plentiful. For walkers there are not sidewalks and you’ll often be walking in the dirt. 2 miles to the beach from the anchorage. Gorgeous! The 1718 brewery was fantastic - try their hot pretzels and a beer sampler! Verizon cell service was 1-2 bars. Google Fi had NO service! No open wifi. Nice stop with excellent holding and wind protection. Fun place.
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Review for Ocracoke - Silver Lake
Reviewed by: Lucy Wilcox on Dec 13, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 3.9'Overall Rating:5Holding:5Wind Protection:5Current Flow:5Wake Protection:5Scenic Beauty:5Ease of Shopping:5Shore Access:5Pet Friendly:5Cell Service:3WiFi:2Silver Lake is our favorite spot off the ICW. There are two dinghy docks - the Park Service dock and a small dinghy dock by the Community Docks. Easy shopping for groceries, great restaurants and boutiques. Many restaurants and coffee shops have outdoor seating and are pet friendly. About 50% of the restaurants and stores are closed between November and March. We visited post Hurricane Matthew with no issues. AT&T and T-Mobile have no service, but Verizon works great. Wifi available at the many coffee shops.
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Review for Ocracoke - Silver Lake
Reviewed by: John Lark on Jul 14, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 44'
Draft: 5.0'Overall Rating:4Holding:4Wind Protection:5Current Flow:4Wake Protection:4Scenic Beauty:4Ease of Shopping:4Shore Access:4Pet Friendly:4Cell Service:5WiFi:4Great Anchorage, but be careful of debris on the bottom. Anchored there many times without incident, but at music festival in june, anchor pulled up old crab baskets, and an 2 in steel cable. Lost a boat hook trying to get the cable off the anchor.
Cell service Verizon.View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
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Review for Ocracoke - Silver Lake
Reviewed by: Terry Hoy, Meridian, on Jul 9, 2016
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'Overall Rating:5Holding:5Wind Protection:5Current Flow:5Wake Protection:5Scenic Beauty:5Ease of Shopping:5Shore Access:5Pet Friendly:5Cell Service:5Large anchorage in Silver Lake with excellent holding.
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