Summer’s here! Ocracoke Express passenger ferry returns to Outer Banks

The Ocracoke passenger-only ferry returns this week to shuttle people, but not their cars, between Hatteras and Ocracoke islands on the Outer Banks.

Over the summer, Ocracoke Express carries visitors on a 70-minute trip between Hatteras and Silver Lake Harbor in Ocracoke Village, where a free tram operated by Hyde County makes stops at island shops, restaurants, lodging and attractions.

This is the sixth season for the 129-seat ferry, which supplements those that carry vehicles and passengers from Hatteras to Ocracoke islands. In recent years, those ferries have been beset by long delays and canceled service due staffing shortages, storms closing N.C. 12 and sand build-up in a channel off Ocracoke Island. Last year, more than 25,000 people traveled via the Ocracoke Express.

One-way fares this year are $7.50, with an additional $1 charge for bicycles. Children ages 3 and under, who can share a seat with an adult, can ride for free. The passenger ferry will run through Sept. 9.

The ferry division is also expanding other ferry service to Ocracoke for the summer season.

Beginning Tuesday, ferry routes between Cedar Island and Ocracoke and Swan Quarter and Ocracoke increased service from six to eight departures each day through Sept. 9, the N.C. Department of Transportation said in a news release.

Scheduled departures include:

Cedar Island-Ocracoke: 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Ocracoke-Cedar Island: 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Swan Quarter-Ocracoke: 7 a.m., 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Ocracoke-Swan Quarter: 7 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Hatteras-Ocracoke vehicle ferry route will continue running 52 scheduled departures each day between Hatteras and the north end of Ocracoke Island. No reservations are accepted on the Hatteras vehicle ferry.

Reservations for the passenger ferry can be made up to 90 days in advance on the ferry division’s website, or by calling 1-800-BY-FERRY.