Decades ago, one of the only ways to access some of the most secluded areas of the Outer Banks was via a ferry, and this tradition carries on today for thousands if not millions of visitors who want to travel to some of coastal North Carolina's most famous and off-the-map locales.

An NCDOT Ferry heading to Hatteras

An NCDOT Ferry heading to Hatteras

A small handful of islands on the Outer Banks, specifically Knotts Island, Ocracoke Island and Portsmouth Island, are veritably cut off from the rest of the world. With no roads that cross over the Currituck or Pamlico Sound, these regions can only be accessed by boat, making them dependent on the NC Ferry system for transportation on and off the islands.

Thankfully, after decades of operation, the North Carolina Department of Transpiration (NCDOT) has ferry operations down to a science, with daily operations that rarely skip a beat, and hundreds of trips occurring every day throughout seven coastal North Carolina routes.

Four of these routes can be found along the Outer Banks, and allow visitors to access portions of these barrier islands that would otherwise be unobtainable without a private boat or plane. With reasonable fees (if any) and regularly scheduled runs, everyone is advised to make a ferry trip a fun part of their upcoming OBX vacation. The trip is generally just as entertaining as the destination, and thanks to the NCDOT's ferry system, everyone has access to some of the Outer Bank's most pristine and treasured destinations.

Swan Quarter Ferry

The Swan Quarter ferry is actually the longest of the seven North Carolina routes, and travels 2.5 hours across the quiet North Carolina mainland to Ocracoke Island. The closest "big" towns to Swan Quarter include Bath, Washington, and Belhaven, which makes this route one of the most secluded in the Outer Banks. As such, the route generally only has between 2-4 crossings per day from either side, which typically run from the early morning hours to about 4 or 4:30 in the afternoon.

Reservations are strongly recommended in advance to ensure a spot at one of the limited crossings, and can be obtained by calling 1-800-BY-FERRY or online at https://ferry.ncdot.gov/. You'll need a credit card to make reservations, and rates range from $1 to about $50 per trip, depending on the type of vehicle crossing. Most families in a typical 2-axel vehicle can expect to pay about $15 for a Pamlico Sound crossing.

Both the Swan Quarter and Ocracoke Island terminals, in addition to the ferry itself, offer vending machines and public restrooms so passengers can load up on snacks and drinks to enjoy during the excursion across the sound. In addition, because the Swan Quarter ferry utilizes the Sound Class ferry, (the largest available), the ship itself is well-equipped with air conditioned passenger lounges with comfortable seats, additional restrooms, and plenty of room to spread out. A peaceful excursion, the Swan Quarter ferry is rarely full, and is an ideal mode of transport for travelers who want to relax away from the crowds, and enjoy the ride.

Unloading a ferry

Unloading a ferry

Cedar Island Ferry

Like the Swan Quarter ferry, the Cedar Island is a Sound Class ferry route with a long crossing time that is approximately 2.25 hours from the NC mainland to Ocracoke Island and back. The Cedar Island ferry terminal is a scenic 30-45 minute drive away from other North Carolina coastal attractions and classic towns, including Beaufort, Morehead City and Emerald Isle, making it a popular spot for road-trippers who are exploring the entirety of the coastline.

Both the Cedar Island and Ocracoke ferry terminals offer vending machines, restrooms, and visitors' centers with gift shops, area information, and reading material to enjoy during the crossing. In addition, the Cedar Island terminal is adjacent to a small locally run motel and restaurant, so passengers with a long wait before the next ride have plenty of scenic options to bide their time. The soundside beaches along Cedar Island are beautiful and can easily be explored via a number of sand paths that are located just yards away from the terminal itself. Just be sure not to get too distracted and miss your boat altogether.

The Cedar Island ferry is one of the main routes for Ocracoke and even Hatteras Island vacationers traveling from the western and southern portions of the country, and as a result, the number of routes offered throughout the day varies greatly. In the dead of winter, the ferry generally has 3 runs from either side, while in the much busier summer months, travelers can select from up to 6 or 7 daily runs. Advanced reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made over the phone at 1-800-BY-FERRY or by booking online. Because of its proximity to major roads and more populated NC towns and cities, this ferry has a tendency to fill-up fast, so a little preparation will guarantee a nice, enjoyable ride across the Pamlico Sound and back.

En-route from Hatteras to Ocracoke

En-route from Hatteras to Ocracoke

Hatteras / Ocracoke Ferry

The Hatteras / Ocracoke Ferry is easily the most popular of the Outer Banks ferry routes as it provides transportation to thousands of day-trippers every summer who want to explore Ocracoke's gorgeous beaches, eclectic shops and art galleries, and fantastic waterfront restaurants.

The ferry is a completely fun part of any Ocracoke or Hatteras Island-hopping adventure, as the 40-45 minute shuttle across the Hatteras Inlet provides spectacular views of the Hatteras soundside beaches, the small handful of sandbar islands, and the inlet facing beaches of Ocracoke Island. The ferry is free to the public and loads on a first come, first serve basis - no reservations required - with the order only interrupted by essential personnel with priority passes.

Unlike the Swan Quarter and Cedar Island Ocracoke terminal, which is located on the southern end of the island and features an extensive visitors' center, vending machines, and access to some of the area's best restaurants and motels, the Ocracoke ferry terminal on this route is located on the unpopulated northern end the island. As such, resources here are limited to a bank of vending machines, public restrooms, and small sandy paths that lead out to sound or ocean facing beaches adjacent to the ferry waiting lines. For most passengers, this is more than enough, as even on a busy ferry traffic day, the unpopulated beaches of Ocracoke Island are waiting just around the dunes.

The Hatteras side of this route is another story altogether. This terminal borders the Hatteras Landing shopping center, a plaza which features a collection of gift shops, boutiques, apparel shops and restaurants, and which can be quickly and happily explored while waiting in line. A NCDOT Ferry visitors' station with vending machines, public restrooms and area information is located on the other side of the ferry parking lanes, so passengers can refuel and explore area information before departure.

The short ride is scenic and entertaining for visitors of all ages, with regular runs every 30 minutes in the summer season and every hour in the off-season. For a total exploration of the different cultures of the Outer Banks, an Ocracoke day trip via the Hatteras / Ocracoke ferry will allow visitors to access an entirely new coastal world, while making the journey an essential part of the fun.

A Hatteras - Ocracoke Ferry

A Hatteras - Ocracoke Ferry

Currituck / Knotts Island Ferry

Currituck mainland and northern Outer Banks visitors may want to spread their wings and take a day trip to Knotts Island, a small community that's located in the middle of the Currituck Sound, in between the popular beaches of Corolla and the busy mainland communities of Poplar Grove, Currituck, and Barco.

Knotts Island is a dominantly residential community with mainly year-round homes or second homes dotting the landscape. That said, the area is also adjacent to Mackey's Island National Wildlife Refuge, in addition to some fantastic boating and kayaking routes that lead directly to Corolla and the northern Carova beaches.

The day trip to Knotts Island is an essential trip for nature lovers, boat lovers, or anyone who likes to see the day-to-day operations of a small coastal community. Because of the hardy local population, in addition to the local tourism which is steadily growing, up to six ferries depart from either side throughout the day. The highest number of ferries cross during the weekdays, Monday through Friday, while 4-5 ferries run on the weekends providing transport to visitors and locals alike.

The ferry crossing takes approximately 45 minutes and can be easily accessed by following the ferry signs along US 158 close to the Virginia border. Public restrooms are available at both terminals, and while reservations are not allowed, showing up early is strongly recommended. On days with great weather, the route can become popular, so day-trippers are advised to show up early, (very early - the first crossing of the day begins at 6:00 a.m. from the mainland), to ensure a spot aboard.

A Hatteras - Ocracoke Ferry leaves Hatteras

A Hatteras - Ocracoke Ferry leaves Hatteras

Other Coastal North Carolina Ferry Routes

Though technically not part of the Outer Banks, visitors should be advised that there are three other routes that service other regions of the North Carolina coastline. These routes include the Bayview / Aurora ferry, the Cherry Branch / Minnesott Beach ferry, and the Southport/Fort Fisher Ferry. All of these routes are free crossings, run in between 20-45 minutes, and connect visitors to parts of the mainland that are divided by deep channels of salt water.

There are no reservations required for any of these three ferries, and there are regular crossings that generally depart every 15-60 minutes, so coastal explorers who want to stick close to the water will find plenty of routes to explore. Be sure and make a stop by the Aurora Fossil Museum or the Minnesott Beach golf course, and make your road trip expedition to the Outer Banks a key part of the fun.

Privately Run Ferries

The days of privately run tug boats scooting across Oregon Inlet are long gone, but there are still a handful of privately run ferries in operation that provide essential transport to some of the North Carolina coastline's most pristine destinations. One such locale is Portsmouth Island, which can only be reached by a privately run tour group departing from Ocracoke Island, or a privately run ferry boat departing from Cedar Island.

The most famous of these routes is the Morris Marina ferry, which with permission from the National Park Service, provides transportation for vehicles and pedestrians alike to the northern beaches of Portsmouth Island. A fee is generally involved for the crossing, as well as reservations days if not weeks in advance, however adventurous Outer Banks vacationers find the expenditures and the extra planning well worth it. The beaches here are only frequented by visitors who take the involved steps to get there, meaning there are miles of unexplored shoreline to enjoy.

For a walking trip around the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, or to bring your 4WD truck to the relatively undiscovered beaches of Portsmouth Island and tour the miles-long island in its entirety, be sure and review your privately run ferry options. In the old days, the adventurous vacationers used privately run ferries to explore the unknown and less-travelled parts of the Outer Banks, and happily today, this is still generally the case.