Waiting for the ferry at Hatteras Island for a trip to Ocracoke Island, Cape Hatteras National Seashore
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is composed of two islands, Hatteras and Ocracoke, and one peninsula, Bodie Island (pronounced “Body”). Though called an island, Bodie is actually the tip of a peninsula that starts all the way up in Virginia. However, when it got its name it was an island; an inlet separated it from the rest of the peninsula. Over time, storms filled in the inlet and now it is solid land all the to Virginia Beach.
Though Hatteras is an island, it is accessible by car via a bridge connecting it to Bodie Island. Ocracoke, on the other hand, has no bridge connection and can only be reached by private boat or ferry. For most visitors, the ferry is the means of travel between the islands. Visitors can also depart Oracoke Island by ferry for the mainland of North Carolina, either to Cedar Island or to Swan Quarter.
The ferries are run by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. For a schedule, visit NCDOT’s Ferry Schedule web page.
Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry Information
Ocracoke to North Carolina Mainland Ferry Information
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Last updated on March 8, 2024
