I am currently living on a small island off the coast of North Carolina. Ocracoke Island is park of the OuterBanks, but it is the island that is only accessible by boat, ferry, or small aircraft. It is an absolutely amazing spot to visit.
We sit only 5 feet above sea level and have 16 miles of National Park coastline. The beaches are private. You can choose to drive your 4WD onto the beach to find your own spot for the day, or you can drive up the beach 10 miles from the village and climb over the sand dunes for an even more private day at the beach.
The history here is amazing. You can take a night History Ghost Walk, or learn about the infamous pirate Blackbeard. He used to hide out here on Ocracoke and was actually beheaded here. Supposedly, after they cut off his head, his body was thrown overboard and it swam around the boat headless 7 times before it sank. This is also the Graveyard of the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the changing tides and sands, there are hundreds of shipwrecks off the coast. If you are certified to scuba dive, anything you find is yours to keep.
Well, if you are looking for a nice village with southern hospitality and a laid back island style, Ocracoke, NC is the place to go!!