A colorful part of Oriental's history is painted in the legends of the notorious pirate, Edward Teach, known as Blackbeard. Blackbeard allegedly established a hideout on the peninsula separating Green and Smith Creeks. Until 1955, an ancient live oak stood in this area that was reportedly the pirate's lookout to discover passing vessels and where he buried treasure.

In the late nineteenth century, Captain Louis Midyette, a former Confederate blockade runner, was returning home to Dare county from New Bern when a northeast gale forced him to seek shelter in Smith Creek. He eventually settled in the area, and his wife is credited with giving Oriental its unique name, which she found on a ship's name board, "Oriental," which had washed ashore on the Outer Banks. The Oriental post office was established in 1896 and the town became incorporated in 1899.

Oriental is located on the Neuse River where the Intracoastal Waterway passes by the town. Its fine harbor and restaurants attract visitors boating from Canada to Florida and the Caribbean on a regular basis. Local creeks provide excellent anchorages as well as opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and small boat sailing in protected waters. The charm of the village has also fueled an influx of artists, writers, and sailors from diverse regions of the globe.