Vacation Rental

Bluff Shoal Motel

A simple motel right in Ocracoke village, an easy walk to Silver Lake Harbor

(77)

Ocracoke, NC

About

Bluff Shoal Motel sits on Irvin Garrish Highway in Ocracoke village, the short stretch of road that carries most of the island's foot and golf-cart traffic past Silver Lake Harbor. It's a straightforward, no-frills place to sleep for a visit that's really about the village itself — the working harbor, the shops and restaurants clustered around it, and the ferry docks that are the only way on or off this stretch of the Outer Banks.

Getting here

There's no bridge to Ocracoke. Most visitors arrive on the free NC ferry from Hatteras village, about an hour across the sound, or on one of the longer toll ferries from Cedar Island or Swan Quarter on the mainland, each roughly two and a quarter hours. A few fly in on the island's small airstrip. Either way, plan around the ferry schedule rather than a drive time.

What's nearby

Silver Lake Harbor and the village's shops, restaurants, and public docks
Springer's Point Nature Preserve, the maritime forest traditionally tied to Blackbeard's final battle in Ocracoke Inlet
Ocracoke Lighthouse (1823), the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina and second-oldest in the US — not open for climbing
NC-12 north out of the village toward the wild ponies' pasture and the numbered ORV/pedestrian beach-access ramps into the undeveloped seashore

Because Ocracoke has no road evacuation route, keep an eye on the forecast if you're booking during hurricane season, roughly June through November with the higher-risk stretch in August through October — ferries and the island itself can be shut down on short notice.

Reviews (77)

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4.4

77 reviews

Google Reviews

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Marne Miani

6 months ago

This was my first time out to the island just exploring for future reference. I found this place through Airbnb and the rates were reasonable for preseason. It's a cute older place with 7 rooms, and 7 parking spots in front of each room. I arrived after sunset and there was a little light on their sign out front so I knew I was in the correct place, but there were no porch lights working at all and brick steps up to the rooms. Thankfully I didn't have to fumble with keys since the room door was unlocked and the light switch just inside the door. The room and bathroom were clean and simple, but no amenities other than a coffee maker & cups, mini fridge and TV. Take all your own supplies. The bathroom was stocked with towels, TP and tissues. Do not expect luxury accommodations. The hosts did communicate quickly and offered suggestions in response to questions. For one night solo, this accommodation was perfectly adequate. Tip: read extra info below.

Robert Bruce

4 months ago

This is a great motel reminiscent of the past. The rooms are clean and the service is excellent if you need anything. This is a terrific place to stay when visiting Ocracoke.

S. C. Stout

4 months ago

AVOID! I have traveled from the Outer Banks to the Golden Gate Bridge and New Orleans to Glacier National Park and everywhere in between in my 4Runner and have never had a worse experience with a motel that at Bluff Shoals. I booked a room directly through their website. After booking, their website REQUIRED me to complete an ID check which included taking photos of the front and back of my drivers license AND a face photo. In my travels I have NEVER been asked to do that so I started taking screenshots. The DAY BEFORE my stay at 2 PM I get an email saying my reservation was cancelled. I called the motel to find out why and they told me that I had not signed the online reservation form. I emailed the screenshot which showed that I had completed the form. THEN they tell me I didn’t pay! so I sent them a screenshot of my credit card showing that in fact I had paid to which they replied “we can’t see payment on our end”. I told them I would pay them by credit card when I got there and dispute the FIRST payment with my credit card company. They said they couldn’t do that. I told them I would pay them CASH then and was told they couldn’t do that either! The day I was SUPPOSED to stay I get an email from their payment processor saying I DIDN’T MAKE PAYMENT, SO THEY WERE REFUNDING MY PAYMENT! How insane is that? I spent roughly 3 hours of my weekend getaway dealing with this and they were unable to resolve their issues. Save yourself a LOT of time and problems and just stay somewhere else. I honestly am now concerned about how my personal information is being stored and if it is being sold to other companies. Scary stuff in this AI age.

Keith Deans

11 months ago

Reservation was for a 3 night stay. Room was clean and beds were comfortable. Disappointments: No one in the office. Only got room service for 1 day, new towels/ wash cloths and emptied trash. Beds weren’t remade. Only one chair. Not enough table space to place things on. Website said there was an outdoor grill. No grill available. There was a peculiar smell in the room.

Jennifer Schmitt

a year ago

We book here every single time we visit ocracoke, love it, love the porch. the back yard with an amazing view and seating area, and the location! I read a couple reviews before mine and it is unbelievable that the reasons these folks gave for less than 5 stars are the exact reasons we love staying here. The notes in the office that rooms are open and waiting for us is true to the quaint small island feel that it is intended for. If you boogie folks don’t enjoy watching the golf carts go by on the main strip, don’t book here, it’s not the motels fault This is ocracoke people - This spot is our favorite place to stay! Thank you for your hospitality and the island life feel!