Ferry service to Ocracoke can change at any time due to shoaling, road conditions, weather or mechanical issues. Visit ncferry.org daily for updates. Hatteras Ferry terminal: 252-996-6000. Ocracoke terminal: 252-996-6201. Motorists are urged to follow the NC Ferry routes on Twitter for daily updates on ALL of the ferry routes. Route-specific X (formerly Twitter) feeds are available: Hatteras-Ocracoke: @NCFerryHatteras and Cedar Island-Ocracoke-Swan Quarter @NCFerryPamSound
To view the NCDOT webcam for Ocracoke, click here.
To view the NCDOT webcam for Hatteras, click here.
NOTE: The N.C. Ferry System’s Hatteras-Ocracoke vehicle ferry route will be switching to an alternate schedule May 30 as a critical dredging operation gets underway in Sloop Channel.
Sloop Channel provides the entryway to the route’s South Dock terminal on the north end of Ocracoke Island.
As of May 30, the schedule will be as follows:
Hatteras-Ocracoke: 5:30 a.m., 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., noon, 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Ocracoke-Hatteras: 6:30 a.m., 6:45 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.
The dredging operation, performed at night by a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractor, is expected to take about one month to complete, depending on weather conditions.
Once the dredging is complete, the Hatteras vehicle route will return to its full summer schedule below.
For real-time text or email updates on weather or mechanical delays, sign up for the Ferry Information Notification System at www.ncdot.gov/fins.
Hatteras-Ocracoke
Vehicle ferries on this route are free and board first-come, first-served.
March 31 to October 19
From Hatteras: 5 a.m., 6, 7, 8, 8:30, 9, 10, 10:30,11, 11:30, noon, 1 p.m., 1:30, 2, 2:30, 3, 4, 4:30, 5, 5:30, 6, 7:30, 8, 9, 11, midnight.
From Ocracoke: 4 a.m., 6:30, 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, 10, 10:30,11:30, 12 p.m., 12:30, 1, 1:30, 2:30, 3, 3:30, 4, 4:30, 5:30, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 9, 9:30, 10:30, midnight
Pamlico Sound ferry routes
Reservations highly recommended. Reserve online at www.ncferry.org. Reservation system books 90 days in advance. If you have any questions or for more information, please call 252-996-6200 or 1-800-293-3779.
May 19 to Sept. 7:
Cedar Island to Ocracoke: 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.
Ocracoke to Cedar Island: 77:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.
Swan Quarter-Ocracoke: 7 a.m., 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.
Ocracoke-Swan Quarter: 7 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m., and 3:45 p.m.
The Ocracoke Express passenger ferry service runs between Hatteras and Ocracoke’s Silver Lake Harbor from May 5 to Sept. 7:
From Hatteras: 9:30 a.m., 1 & 4:30 p.m. (peak days)
From Ocracoke (Silver Lake Harbor): 11 a.m., 2:30 & 6 p.m. (peak days)
No Sunday service; Reservations recommended
Book online: https://ferry.ncdot.gov/reservations/
Two routes – Hatteras-Ocracoke and Ocracoke-Cedar Island – are officially part of the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.
