Ocracoke Island - The ghost of Blackbeard

Ocracoke’s most infamous resident was none other than the legendary Blackbeard—a real-life pirate. Born Edward Teach, this fearsome pirate terrorized the Carolina coast in the early 1700s. With his wild, coal-black beard (often braided and lit with slow-burning fuses), Blackbeard cut an intimidating figure that struck fear into the hearts of sailors and merchants alike.

He made Ocracoke his favorite anchorage, using it as a base to launch raids on passing ships. Blackbeard’s larger-than-life persona and daring exploits quickly became the stuff of legend. His dramatic last stand in 1718, where he was finally defeated in a fierce battle just off Ocracoke’s shores, cemented his place in local lore. Today, Blackbeard’s name is synonymous with Ocracoke Island, and his spirit seems to linger in every nook and cranny of this enchanting place.

One of Ocracoke’s most tantalizing mysteries is the legend of Blackbeard’s hidden treasure. According to local lore, the infamous pirate stashed a fortune in gold, jewels, and other plundered riches somewhere on or near the island before his untimely demise.

For centuries, treasure hunters and adventure seekers have combed Ocracoke’s beaches, dunes, and maritime forests, hoping to stumble upon this legendary bounty. Some say it’s buried deep beneath the shifting sands, while others believe it’s hidden in underwater caves accessible only during low tide.

Despite numerous expeditions and the occasional discovery of old coins or artifacts, Blackbeard’s main treasure hoard remains frustratingly elusive.

Legend has it that the pirate’s restless spirit still haunts Ocracoke, particularly around Teach’s Hole where he met his grisly end.

On dark, stormy nights, some claim to have seen a shadowy figure with a glowing beard prowling the beaches, eternally searching for his missing treasure. Locals whisper about mysterious lights bobbing offshore, believed to be Blackbeard’s ghost ship. Brave souls who’ve ventured to Springer’s Point after sunset have reported encounters with a large, bearded apparition that vanishes “like smoke.”

Even if you’re skeptical about ghosts, there’s something undeniably eerie about walking Ocracoke’s moonlit shores, knowing you’re treading the same sands as the infamous pirate. So, keep your wits about you during your island adventures – you might just have a close encounter with Ocracoke’s most notorious spectral resident.