Ferry service to and from Ocracoke was suspended by Saturday evening, Oct. 17, 2026, because of dangerous winds and rough seas from the coastal storm that later became Subtropical Storm Josephine.
Here’s the latest information on reaching Ocracoke Island by ferry.
Pamlico Sound ferries
The Pamlico Sound ferries are operating on the following schedule:
- Cedar Island to Ocracoke: 7:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- Ocracoke to Cedar Island: 7:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- Swan Quarter to Ocracoke: 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- Ocracoke to Swan Quarter: 7 a.m., 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Reservations are highly recommended. Reserve online at ncferry.org. For questions or more information, call 252-996-6200 or 1-800-293-3779.
Hatteras–Ocracoke route
Limited service on the Hatteras–Ocracoke route resumed Wednesday afternoon.
- Hatteras to Ocracoke: 6 a.m., 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m. and midnight.
- Ocracoke to Hatteras: 7:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and 4 a.m.
NC 12 on Ocracoke remains open. On Hatteras Island, the highway is closed between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe.
High tide overnight on Oct. 20 undermined and buckled the northbound lane of NC 12 near the Pea Island Visitor Center. NCDOT reported about 800 feet of pavement damage in the area of the closure. The same stretch was damaged by a nor’easter in late September and then repaved.
Overwash has continued around high tide. Increasing northeast winds and high astronomical tides could bring additional coastal flooding this weekend. There is no timeline for reopening NC 12.
Stumpy Point–Rodanthe emergency ferry route
Emergency ferry service between Stumpy Point and Rodanthe was scheduled to begin at 5 a.m. Thursday, providing limited access between Hatteras Island and the mainland. The route is to be served by three vessels.
- Rodanthe terminal: 23170 Myrna Peters Road, Rodanthe
- Stumpy Point terminal: 100 Log Storage Road, Stumpy Point
Dare County’s state of emergency remains in effect, and visitors are not permitted to enter Hatteras Island, but non-resident property owners may enter. County officials are urging those permitted to enter to delay travel unless it is absolutely necessary. Ferry operations depend on weather and marine conditions, and schedules may change.
The ferries are expected to carry approximately 250 vehicles from Rodanthe to Stumpy Point during a 24-hour period, according to the information in this update.
Thursday departures:
- Rodanthe to Stumpy Point: 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: 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.
Beginning Friday, a 2 a.m. departure is scheduled in each direction. The rest of the schedule is expected to remain the same until NC 12 reopens.
Medical travel Contact the NC Ferry information line at 1-800-293-3779 to ask about your specific situation.
