Ocracoke Ferry Terminal — Local services in Ocracoke

BE FOREWARNED: If the day is forecasted to be overcast all day, don't assume that that the ferry will be able to return! We visited Ocracoke on an overcast winter day, departing from Cedar Island. Though our morning ferry was delayed a few minutes due to fog, we never suspected that afternoon fog could be a problem that might leave us stranded on the island. With GPS navigation used widely, who would have guessed that the NC ferries don't use that navigational aid? Bottom line, when fog came back in around lunchtime, we decided to check with the ferry employees to see if we should take the 1:30 return ferry. They confirmed that it would be a good idea to try to get off the island as soon as possible. When the 1:30 ferry finally arrived -- very late -- ferry officials said that it would not be returning to Cedar Island and that all ferries to Cedar Island were cancelled for the remainder of the day. Since there wasn't fog at the north end of the island, ferry patrons made a bee-line to the north end of the island in hopes of catching the Hatteras Ferry. Thank goodness that the north ferry was running! Needless to say, the day was quite stressful, and what should have taken only a couple of hours to return to Cedar Island took almost eight hours to get back to our cottage AND dogs. We will never go back to Ocracoke unless there is a sunny forecast all day! As for the terminal, it is still recovering from damages received during Hurricane Dorian; however, there is a bathroom provided at a park adjacent to it. The "waiting area" roads are in fine condition and the personnel are good to work with. The island is beautiful and I look forward to returning on a sunny day. I am giving the low rating in hopes that some will read this review and be forewarned. Ferry officials should share this information BEFORE visitors head over to Ocracoke for a...

My wife and I could not be happier with our experience! We went on a Wednesday and the line was so, so long, but the handlers for ferry traffic were incredibly polite and patient, and he advised us to try a Friday, earlier, which we did.

The loading procedure is easy and not scary for those who are uneasy drivers. It's no tighter than a typical car garage at a shopping mall, and you can get out once the ferry is underway.

Sometimes the passenger lounge is closed, but when open it is fully air conditioned and very comfortable. The ride is pleasant and efficient, but the most important thing to stress is that it is FREE.

If they do anything right in North Caroline (and they do a LOT right), they provide well for their natural treasures such as beaches and the sound and those who wish to visit.

Advice: avoid...

Ferry service seems to be running smoothly despite challenges with the ferry boats. I understand that some have been damaged because of the shallow canal that they run in. I wish the NPS (or whoever is responsible for dredging the canal) would seriously take a look at this situation. Years and years ago the trip to and from Ocracoke did not take nearly as long. The trip was more direct instead of going out so far into the sound. I feel like dropping some money to really dredge out a more direct path and reinforce the sides of the path with something (maybe from the sound floor to well above water level similar to how the bridge pilings are built) would be worth the one time expense so as not to have to continuously maintain this in the rigorous way it has been over the last...