Reviews: Silver Lake Marina (Ocracoke NPS Docks)

Reviewed by: William Cooper , Sara Sea, on Oct 23, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

The only real downside that I could see is that the bolts that have been exposed in the pilings. There are two fingers and two parallel to shore areas that have the same arrangement with pilings on the outside and water underneath. The top of each docking space is about 4 1/2 feet off the water at low tide and the pilings have bolts that have been exposed about 3 1/2 feet off the surface with another bolt 8" below the top one. Remove about of foot of lunar tide for high tide to all of these measurements. Unless your rub rails are higher than the top bolt then you will need to be prepared when you dock, and fender boards are highly recommended. A sideways fender would be unreliable when your boat moves fore and aft with the wind and tide, and you won't know where to place them until you know where you sit in relation to the pilings. Our rub rail was exactly the same height at the top bolt and we rubbed it up and down while docking and put a small dent in our rail. That said, I'd stay here again now that I know the arrangement. Ocracoke was a really, really wonderful place when we were there in late October, but the weather was in the low 70s and sunny. Be sure to go to Macsmally's which is an outdoor only restaurant and bar. They had the freshest and best seafood I've had in a long time. We ate there twice and I loved everything we had. Tuna, bluefish, fried shrimp that was as good as I've ever had, and I live in on the coast in SC. The bluefish was brought in daily and judging by the 30 or so shrimp trawlers we saw on the way down from Manteo, the shrimp was super fresh as well. Be sure to walk to Springer's Point preserve where you can see Portsmouth Island and the sound, and there's a sandy beach there too. Also note the many tiny graveyards scattered throughout town in very random places, some with three or four graves only. They are still in use and are private property so be respectful. Also, head out to the sunset viewing area for a fantastic sunset over the sound. We stayed for three days and I'm about as relaxed as I've been in years. Showers were closed due to government shutdown so I cannot speak to that, but everything was well maintained, except for the bolts in the pilings. Others have complained about power pedestals but nobody we spoke to or ourselves had any issues with shore power. I'd give 5 stars but for the bolts but our fenderboards once set did the trick.

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Reviewed by: Tom Brown , Key 2 Cay, on Aug 16, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

This was our first stay at Silver Lake Marina in August 2025. As mentioned in many comments, the need for large fenders or fender boards is needed to keep your boat off the pilings with exposed bolts. The power poles were functional with 30A and 50A service. All of the pedestals are GFCI-protected and are very sensitive. Recommend shutting down all AC circuit breakers and bringing them back online one at a time. There is also water available on the power pedestals.
There is a large barge dock for the Ocracoke Express ferry to Cape Hatteras that limits much of the dockage area. There was no signage, but we were told we needed to move after we tied up to the dock and shore power.
A NPS day dock is available at no cost for dinghies coming over from boats anchored in Silver Lake. The day dock is convenient to the Ocracoke shuttle that circles the town.
Seniors with the Interagency Senior Pass (annual or lifetime) received a 50% discount on their slip fee. You enter your pass number in the Recreation.gov app. Our 39' boat would normally be $55.00 per night, and we only had to pay $27.50 per night, including dockage, power, and water.
You pay for dockage using a QR code by the bathrooms. Very easy using the Recreation.gov app. You need to scan and pay daily and display a confirmation code in the window of your boat for the park attendants to be able to see.

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Reviewed by: Richard Trumper on Apr 21, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

Docked here in early April for 2 nights with winds 20+ from the east. Plenty of protection from the land and large steel barge. No issues with ferries, just watch the schedule and everything is easy enough. Docks in great shape, power included (make sure you have a 50amp plug). Just scan the QR code by the bathrooms and that's it. Only negative was that the showers were not open. We saw little to no tide and very little current in marina during the approach and departure.

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Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER , Jessica Grace, on Apr 29, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Great dockage. good location. Due to patchy wifi/cell connections, be sure to download app before heading to Ocracoke. No reservations and no attendant. Big fenders or fenderboards highly recommended to protect vessel from dock pilings.

received this email confirmation:

Need to Know
We offer first-come, first-served overnight boat docking. You will need to pay after arriving on site by scanning our facility QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app. Please download the Recreation.gov app prior to arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cell service. Once payment is made on-site, we do not offer refunds or modifications. Check out is at 12 noon. Vessels occupying a space after noon must have a reservation for that evening. Vessels must be secured with appropriately sized (length and diameter) lines for the size and weight of the vessel. While cleats are provided in a few pier units, The vessel lines should be appropriately secured to the pilings defining the pier units reserved. The NPS dock system pilings have exposed bolt heads. Fender Boards are highly recommended to properly secure and protect the vessel in any space. Restrooms are available at the NPS Visitor Center (across the parking lot). There are no showers provided in the NPS dock system or Visitor Center area. Power is available in either 30 amp or 50 amp outlets on one side of shared pedestals. Ocracoke Sanitary District provides the village water system and the dock water system. The water supply is potable water. Rafting of vessels is allowed. Rafted vessels must be registered and paid for when making your reservation. Rafted vessels cannot exceed the length of the reserving vessel. Quiet hours are 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. Pets must be on a leash, if on shore (docks and land). Pick up and dispose of animal waste. Neither fuel nor pump out facilities are available at the Cape Hatteras Silver Lake Docks. No waste of any kind may be discharged at the docks in accordance with 33 CFR 151/155 Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Commercial activities are prohibited at the docks. Repairs by outside vendors are prohibited unless a Special Use Permit is first obtained from Cape Hatteras National Seashore. See nps.gov/caha for instructions.

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Reviewed by: Graeme Walker , Confirmed Aquaholic, on May 14, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 54'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Fixed docks in good shape. Electricity and water included in rate, ours was $66/night. Couldn't pay using the app, had to go to the NPS offices. No pump-out but water. Big fender recommended as 10" pilings stick out from dock. Easy walk to town and restaurants. Lots of bike/golfcart rentals available. No security but well lit. Ferry sounds horn on leaving, first one at 07:00.

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Reviewed by: David Ratte , See Level, on May 12, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Both docks are open and in good shape, cement, fixed, deep water. 50 & 30 at each pedestal. South dock can only tie up on the south side. North dock a little narrow getting in because of a large red temporary dock (that is not for pleasure craft) and has some exposed steel beams at corner so be careful. There is also pedestals/dockage along the adjacent wall by the south dock. Park Service Bathrooms open 24 hrs, no shower facilities. Great location within easy walking distance of downtown Ocracoke Village. Docks near car ferries, but we never felt any effects of them coming and going. Only way to pay is via recreation.gov app so be sure to download. Good AT&T cell service.

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Reviewed by: Tory Salvia , Sparkle Plenty , on May 19, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 36'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

As of May 2021 the two docks are open. Modern pedestals with 30 and 50 amp plus water. However power wasn't working on the dock furthest from the ferry docks. Docks a bit high for my boat making boarding difficult for us shorter people. Called ahead and got good information from friendly Park Service official. I will update after my stay.

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Reviewed by: Tory Salvia , Sparkle Plenty , on May 19, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 36'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

As of May 2021 the two docks are open. Modern pedestals with 30 and 50 amp plus water. However power wasn't working on the dock furthest from the ferry docks. Docks a bit high for my boat making boarding difficult for us shorter people. Called ahead and got good information from friendly Park Service official. I will update after my stay.

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Reviewed by: William Denison , MAR-KAT, on Oct 27, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 1

It appears that these docks are closed. There are signs posted and power pedestals are out of service. Stayed at Anchorage Inn Marina.

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Reviewed by: John Fogg on Sep 3, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Just a quick update as things are in quite a transition all around Ocracoke at this time. The Nat Parks Docks are up and running again, with water but no electricity. They are charging $1.25/ft per night, 1`st come, 1st served, no reservations. Docks are in great shape for 8-12 boats, pending size. Maneuvering to the Nat Parks docks is cozy as the new/additional ferry docks somewhat encroach the park docks. There are 2 new bathrooms for a total of 4 at the visitor's center, but no showers. Boat fenders highly recommended as you will be up against pilings with steel bolts just waiting for some fiberglass. Excellent access to the town activities as well as state ferries running in different directions. As an extra bonus, there are free shuttles that run from the ferry terminal/Nat Parks docks area up thru town for about a mile which saves a lot of flip-flop wear. This is mostly to accomodate the passengers getting off the ferry and will probably end for the season in a few weeks. The town itself is limping along like everything else, due to the coronavirus.
At $1.25/ft and no electricity, many will opt for anchoring in the excellent harbor and catching some open air breeze. It's all good with the right mindset.

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Reviewed by: Michael Garrish on Mar 11, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 22'
Draft: 13.0'

Rating: 5

First time using it...impressed so far.

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