Departure Time Heat Maps show peak travel times for Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry

The Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry switched to its spring schedule on April 12, however, shoaling issues in Sloop Channel near the Ocracoke ferry terminal have limited the size of ferries that can safely operate on the route.

As such, travelers are cautioned that wait times for the ferry may be longer than usual, and are advised to refer to the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) Departure Time Heat Maps to plan their trip.

“We are working with the Army Corps of Engineers to complete a dredging operation in the area ASAP, but until then, we encourage motorists to travel during off-peak hours,” stated the NCDOT in a recent update. “We understand your frustration with current delays on the route, and we’re doing everything we can to resolve the issues and return the route to its full capacity.”

For the Hatteras village terminal, traffic is highest from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Mondays through Saturdays.

At the Ocracoke terminal, traffic is highest from 4:00 p.m. until midnight, on Mondays through Saturdays.

The current schedule for the Hatteras-Ocracoker ferries is as follows:

• From Hatteras: 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m., 11 p.m., midnight.
• From Ocracoke: 4:30 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., noon, 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m., midnight.

The Hatteras ferry route will switch to its full summer schedule on May 17.