Ocracoke Inlet is a major tidal channel separating Ocracoke Island to the north from Portsmouth Island to the south, connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the vast Pamlico Sound. This is a challenging marine environment suitable only for advanced, experienced ocean kayakers with proper planning. The inlet is known for powerful, swirling tidal currents that can be impossible to paddle against; paddlers are advised to time crossings for slack tide, when there is minimal flow. Deep currents rush through the inlet up to 20 feet deep, and even on calm days the water mixture can appear deceptively quiet. Paddlers are advised to steer clear of the inlet unless specifically attempting the crossing to Portsmouth Island, which is considered an adventure. The crossing itself is approximately 4 to 5 miles from common launch points on Ocracoke. The primary launch for this endeavor is from the sound side near the south end of Ocracoke Island, with one trip report launching into Pamlico Sound to paddle three miles to the inlet mouth to catch slack tide. Landing on the Portsmouth Island side involves challenging beach landings through surf. The area is exposed to wind and weather from both the sound and the ocean, and conditions can change rapidly; planning must account for potential gale-force winds and seas. Boat traffic is a factor, including large ferries operating out of Silver Lake harbor, which paddlers must yield to. The surrounding landscape is desolate and beautiful, with long stretches of undeveloped shoreline. Wildlife sightings include dolphins. There are no facilities within the inlet itself. Primitive camping is allowed on Portsmouth Island, but there are no modern services. The inlet has historical significance as a former primary passageway for shipping and is famously associated with the pirate Blackbeard.