The Ocracoke Express passenger ferry will not operate this Sunday, August 18, due to routine scheduled maintenance.
The catamaran-style vessel, which is now in its sixth season, transports passengers via a 70-minute trip between Hatteras Village and Silver Lake Harbor in Ocracoke Village.
It was created to alleviate summertime congestion on the popular Hatteras-Ocracoke vehicle ferry route.
A free tram operated by Hyde County is available to carry visitors around the village to shops, restaurants, accommodations, and attractions, including Ocracoke’s seasonally lifeguarded beach.
The Ocracoke Express operates on the following schedule through Sept. 9 for 2024:
Tuesdays through Fridays
- From Ocracoke Village: 9:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
- From Hatteras Village: 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:45 p.m., 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays through Mondays
- From Ocracoke Village: 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
- From Hatteras Village: 9:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m
One-way fares are $7.50, with an additional $1 charge for bicycles. Children three and under who can share a seat with an adult can ride for free.
Originally scheduled to be completed in 2018, the construction of the Ocracoke passenger ferry encountered multiple delays, and the NCDOT leased a vessel for its first three seasons of operation, beginning in 2019.
The vessel owned by the state and launched in 2022 is a 100-passenger, catamaran-style ferry with 96 interior seats, an upper deck with 26 additional seats, two wheelchair tie-downs, 16 bicycle racks, wireless internet access, and a concession area.
If you have any questions or for more information, visit https://www.ncdot.gov/travel-maps/ferry-tickets-services/Pages/default.aspx or call 1-800-BY-FERRY.
