Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach

Ocracoke, once the home of Blackbeard the pirate, has some of the wildest beaches in the country. Big surf dominates in late summer so families with children may want to come earlier in the year. Don’t expect to play golf or stay at the Ritz; the main pursuits are swimming and beachcombing.

It has just been ranked as the #3 beach in the country. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach in North Carolina’s Outer Banks came in just behind Kapalua Bay Beach; Maui, Hawaii (#2) and Siesta Beach; Sarasota, Fla. (#1)