The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) expects to open a temporary roadway at Pea Island along N.C. Highway 12 on Wednesday morning, September 30, providing a one-lane onsite detour for traffic leaving Hatteras Island and traveling north.
The temporary detour will initially accommodate northbound traffic only. There is currently no timeline for when the roadway will open to southbound traffic traveling to Hatteras Island.
Until the temporary roadway opens, there continues to be no road access between Hatteras Island and areas to the north.
Emergency ferry service continues:
The NCDOT emergency ferry route between Rodanthe and Stumpy Point will continue to provide a direct transportation connection between Hatteras Island and the Dare County mainland while N.C. Highway 12 remains closed.
Three ferries are currently operating on the emergency route. Depending on the mix of passenger vehicles, trucks, trailers and commercial vehicles, each ferry can typically carry approximately 25 to 30 standard vehicles per trip. Combined, the three ferries are able to transport approximately 250 vehicles from Rodanthe to Stumpy Point over a 24-hour period.
The one-way trip between Rodanthe and Stumpy Point takes approximately two hours.
Emergency Ferry Terminal Locations:
Stumpy Point Emergency Ferry Dock100 Log Storage Road, Stumpy Point, NC 27953
Rodanthe Emergency Ferry Dock23170 Myrna Peters Road, Rodanthe, NC 27968
The ferry departure times are as follows:
Rodanthe to Stumpy Point: 2 a.m., 5 a.m., 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Stumpy Point to Rodanthe: 2 a.m., 5 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Ferry operations are subject to weather and marine conditions. NCDOT may adjust ferry schedules as needed to ensure safe and reliable service.
NCDOT has also restored regular ferry service from Hatteras Island to Ocracoke Island (operating on a limited schedule) and continues to provide ferry service on the routes between Ocracoke Village and the mainland (Cedar Island and Swan Quarter).
These routes may provide an alternative option for leaving Hatteras Island. Those wishing to access the mainland via Swan Quarter or Cedar Island are reminded that reservations for those ferry routes are required. Reservations can be obtained online at ncferry.org or by calling 1-800-BY-FERRY.
Long Waits Continue for Travelers Leaving Hatteras Island:
Dare County understands that the long lines and extended wait times for the emergency ferry have been difficult and frustrating for those trying to leave Hatteras Island. With limited capacity on each crossing, significant delays continue, and travelers should be prepared for extended waits.
There are no restrictions on leaving Hatteras Island. Vehicles departing from Rodanthe for Stumpy Point are generally loaded on a first-come, first-served basis. Vendors returning to the mainland after delivering essential supplies to Hatteras Island receive priority boarding.
Travelers waiting for the ferry are encouraged to be prepared with necessary medications, food, water and other essentials. Dare County appreciates the patience and understanding of those who are waiting as NCDOT continues emergency ferry operations while work to restore roadway access moves forward.
Access to Hatteras Island remains restricted:
With the State of Emergency still in effect, entry to Hatteras Island remains restricted to Priority One and Priority Two individuals at this time.
Visitors and non-resident property owners are not permitted to enter Hatteras Island at this time.
These restrictions are necessary because transportation capacity remains limited while N.C. Highway 12 is closed and must be prioritized for essential personnel, critical business vendors, supplies and permanent residents.
County officials understand the importance of restoring access as soon as conditions allow. Access restrictions will continue to be evaluated as roadway repairs progress and transportation capacity and essential supply needs change.
There is no timeline for when visitor access will resume.
Entry restrictions apply to all routes, including the emergency ferry and any route through Ocracoke Island. Entry into the emergency area by residents of Ocracoke Island in Hyde County is authorized.
To enter Hatteras Island during the State of Emergency, travelers must have proper credentials. To learn more about Dare County’s staged entry process or apply for a 2026 entry permit visit DareNC.gov/Reentry.
Priority boarding requests:
Priority ferry access may be granted in limited circumstances when travel is necessary due to an urgent or time-sensitive need, such as medical appointments, medical procedures or treatment, or other extenuating circumstances. Priority access is not guaranteed and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Individuals requesting priority access must complete the electronic request form available at info.darenc.gov/ferrypriority. Once the request has been reviewed, the individual will receive an email indicating whether the request has been approved or denied.
Travelers should understand that approval for priority access in one direction does not automatically provide priority access for the return trip. A separate request must be submitted for each direction of travel.
Travel Information and Updates:
Visitors with upcoming reservations on Ocracoke may get to the island via the Swan Quarter or Cedar Island ferries. There is currently no timeline for when visitor access to Hatteras Island will resume. Those with upcoming reservations on Hatteras Island should contact their accommodations provider directly for information regarding their reservation.
Ocracoke Island NC 12 and Hatteras Ferry Update
NCDOT has successfully reopened the section of N.C. 12 on the north end of Ocracoke Island. Because the highway is clear, the Ocracoke-to-Hatteras ferry has officially resumed operations.
The daily schedule for the Hatteras-Ocracoke route is as follows:
- Departing Hatteras: 6:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m., 12:00 a.m.
- Departing Ocracoke: 7:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m., 4:00 a.m.
