The popular Ocracoke Express passenger ferry will begin its seventh season of summer service May 13.
The ferry carries up to 129 passengers directly between Hatteras and Ocracoke’s Silver Lake Harbor on a 70-minute ride across Pamlico Sound, allowing people to skip the lines for the vehicle ferry and go directly into the heart of Ocracoke Village. There, they can walk, rent bikes or golf carts, or use Hyde County’s free Ocracoke Village Tram, which stops at shops, restaurants and attractions in the village.
“Passenger surveys have shown us that the Express is an extremely popular option for day trips to Ocracoke,” said Ferry Division Director Jed Dixon. “It’s the easiest and most convenient way to spend a day on Ocracoke Island.”
This year, the passenger ferry will make eight departures during the busier days Tuesday through Thursday, with trips from Hatteras at 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 5 p.m., and return trips from Ocracoke at 9:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3.p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
On Friday, Saturday and Monday, departures from Hatteras will be at 9:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., with return trips from Ocracoke at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. No passenger ferry service will be available on Sundays.
The fare is $15 for a round-trip ticket, with children under 3 riding for free, and an additional $1 to bring a bicycle on board. Reservations are available 90 days in advance and highly recommended during the busy summer season. Travelers can make reservations online at www.ncferry.org, or on the phone at 1-800-BY-FERRY.
In addition, the free 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.
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.
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