Gallery photos coming soon
Ocracoke's mainland connection — toll ferries to Cedar Island and Swan Quarter
Ocracoke Island has no bridge and no road connection to the mainland — everything that doesn't fly in over the island's small airstrip arrives by boat. Ocracoke South is the terminal for the two toll ferry routes that make the crossing to the North Carolina mainland: one to Cedar Island, the other to Swan Quarter, each about two and a quarter hours across the Pamlico Sound. That's a separate crossing from the free ferry connecting Ocracoke's north end to Hatteras village, which takes roughly an hour — so the terminal you need depends on which direction you're traveling.
Because Ocracoke has no other way off besides these boats, the small plane strip, or the Hatteras ferry, these are also the first routes suspended when a storm threatens — check status directly before counting on a same-day crossing during hurricane season.
28 reviews
3 weeks ago
RV Renegade 38ft w/Jeep in tow. 10am departure from Cedar Island. Staff directed us in with no issues. Great hand signals to see where we need to drive-park. Lane next to us was left empty so we could exit the coach since the main door was against the wall. Plenty of breeze during the crossing to cool us. Easy ride. Nice hand signals to get us directed off and back on to land once we arrived. Great experience.
4 weeks ago
2 months ago
Best vacation spot if your into more of the sunny, beachy places, lots of son and pop places to eat and rentals to rent for weekends or weekdays
11 months ago
Much More sociable and friendly than the Hatteras to Ocracoke Ferry. Nice little guest services area and great views. Remember to reserve your ticket in advance.
a year ago
Welcome to Ocracoke Island (or thanks for visiting, depending on your direction). The Terminal at the south end of the island will be where you wait to catch the ferry to Cedar Island and rejoin the mainland. The terminal is clean, comfortable and air conditioned. It has restrooms and vending machines for an easy wait. It also overlooks the ferry dock area so you can see it coming and you can keep an eye on your car in the parking lot as well. Be prepared for a two hour journey to Cedar Island though there is a passenger lounge on board with seating and restrooms. Note that there is a NORTH ferry terminal which will be your ride to Hatteras. Be sure you're headed to the correct one!