Ocracoke Passenger Ferry Island Hopping!
The Ocracoke Passenger Ferry has been up and running for about two weeks now. The newest way to get to remote Ocracoke Island is a huge success so far. The passenger ferry can take about 150 people in one trip from Hatteras to Ocracoke and vice versa. Once on Ocracoke a tram service is running with frequent stops around Ocracoke Village.
The Ocracoke Express is the new passenger ferry service at the Outer Banks. The passenger ferry ( plus bikes, strollers and walkers) runs seven days a week from May 20 through Sept. 5. The departure times from the Hatteras ferry terminal are at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Departures from Ocracoke Silver Lake Terminal are scheduled for 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division is leasing the Ocracoke Express (also known as the M/V Martha’s Vineyard Express) from the New Jersey-based ferry company Seastreak Marine. The plan to build their own passenger ferry ran into some problems. The answer for this summer was to lease the M/V Martha’s Vineyard Express and rename her the Ocracoke Express.
Cost and Reservations:
The cost in $1 for each person one way. Bicycles are allowed with bike racks available on the passenger ferry. Reservations are not needed but are encouraged. To make a reservation just call 1-800-BY-FERRY or book online at ferry.ncdot.gov. Without a space is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Check in no later than 20 minutes before departure time. Small carry-on items, backpacks and purses are allowed on the passenger ferry.
Upon arrival in Ocracoke Village at the The Silver Lake Ferry Terminal it is an easy walk to many of the Ocracoke’s shops and restaurants. Hyde County also provides free tram service around Ocracoke Village. There are also a number of places for bike and golf cart rentals near the ferry terminal.
The new passenger ferry seems to be quite popular with lots of passenger taking advantage of this new service. But the passenger ferry service did not a replace the regular vehicle ferry service between the islands. The regular vehicle ferries remain in service with their normal summer time departures.
