Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Cedar Island Ferry

    3.8 (17 reviews)

    Cedar Island Ferry Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Cedar Island Ferry

    Recommended Reviews - Cedar Island Ferry

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    First in line. Can you tell who's excited to ride the ferry?
    Alex J.

    Driving to the Cedar Island Ferry is almost as fun, and interesting as the ferry itself. The road twists and turns through small towns, and unusual landscape. Unusual for this Californian at least. Huge swaths of open grasslands, and murky swamps. As you drive along, you're wondering, where am I, and when in the heck am I going to get there. You'll come across a sign here and there, urging you on, forever onward. The slight anxiety came from anticipation. What's around the bend, did I make a wrong turn? I breathed a sigh of relief when I emerged from the confusion. I pulled up to a lone kiosk, housing a very nice lady. She proceeded to tell me how sorry she was that I missed the boat. Missed the boat says I ? Why it's only 2:30, and my reservation isn't until 4pm, I explained. Oh, says she, well the ferry is just now leaving, maybe the captain will hold on. No,no,no, says I ( look at me, already talking like the pirate Long John Silver, and not yet on the high seas) don't bother the captain says I. Well then, you can pull into lane #1. So I did, and so I waited. The next ferry showed right on time, and the other landlubbers and I drove onto the vessel, parked and took our places on the upper deck, or lounged in our cars. The trip lasted about two and a quarter bells (that's 2 hours 15 minutes to you non initated). It was a pleasurable trip to Ocracoke. Enjoyed by all, as we drove off to dig for treasured memories. Quick Tip: Taking the Cedar Island Ferry will be the best $15 you'll spend on your vacation. Even better, the ferry from Ocracoke to Hatteras is free!

    Charlie F.

    If you are heading to Ocracoke Island, better plan IN ADVANCE to take the ferry! At the ferry landing is a building with restrooms and a small seating area. On this Sunday afternoon there was the extra bonus of having the Carolina Panthers game on tv for our enjoyment while waiting. Fare for the ferry for a regular sized vehicle is $15 and can be made in advance at the website for the nc ferry. Advanced reservations are HIGHLY suggested, as they do separate those in line with reservations from those that don't, and those on standby can find a significant wait of several hours. Be aware that the trip from Cedar Island to Ocracoke is over two hours. If you have a reservation you are expected to arrive at leave 30 minutes in advance, and you do run the risk of being bumped to a later trip if you show up close to departure time. I arrived at 2:30 pm for my scheduled 3:30 departure. Upon my arrival I was told by an employee that one ferry had a mechanical problem and the 1pm departure group was still waiting a ferry. Fortunately they had another one in route and had hoped to get things back to a normal schedule as quick as they could. My group got to depart about 90 minutes behind schedule. The ferry does have two level of viewing platforms. If it is a windy day using them will not be a good option. They do have rest rooms on board. Plan to relax in your car and read a book or plug in your ipod and/or take a nap. There isn't much to see as you take the two hour trip.

    Ferry sunrise
    Patty R.

    So much fun! We thoroughly enjoyed the ferry experience from Cedar Island to Ocracoke. The $15 price for us and our car was well worth the experience. There was nice seating, and the restrooms were in very clean and in good condition. The staff was all very professional and well organized in getting each car's information in advance of boarding, having the lining up very exact, and in general, just getting us all on and off safely and pleasantly. We enjoyed the 2 hour journey!

    ECU
    Cyndi W.

    This ferry is very updated. Nice seating area outside as well as the inside. All vending machines are only $1.00. Not to shabby. Since it takes two hours to get to the island, you can take a nice nap in your vehicle. Or go on the deck like In Titanic spread your arms close you're eyes and say " I am top of the world". Also only $15.00 from point A to point B. ( depends on the length of your vehicle)

    Swan Quarter
    Fox T.

    Make reservations, then enjoy! It is a very clean and well maintained ferry. The ride is about 2 1/2 hours. Second level has even better views than the first. Clean facilities on board, as well.

    View out the windows inside the ferry observation area.

    See all

    9 months ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 1
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    5 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 3
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryan K.
    408
    351
    1486

    13 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Fox T.
    8
    5
    14

    14 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of K J.
    0
    49
    55

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    A nice long 2 hour ride Ocracoke Island to main land. I love any body of water so im biased. Greatly enjoyed.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Cedar Island Ferry

    Review Highlights - Cedar Island Ferry

    The Cedar Island Ferry takes about two hours to journey to Ocracoke and unlike the Hatteras and Minnesott ferries, this one requires a reservation.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Swan Quarter Ferry Terminal - The view from the ferry

    Swan Quarter Ferry Terminal

    4.5(10 reviews)
    26.0 mi

    If you want to go to Ocracoke and don't have your own boat or a small plane to land at the island…read moreairstrip, then the NC ferry system is the only way to go. The system offers three different routes over to the island from Hatteras (most popular by a lot), Cedar Island and the way we chose for this trip, from Swan Quarter which is the least popular. Why the least popular? I think it comes down to two big reasons: The crossing takes, if everything runs smoothly, at least two and a half hours and there really isn't much of anything to see or do near the Swan Quarter dock area. If you want desolate and nothing, I recommend driving to Swan Quarter from somewhere like KDH, Manteo or Nags Head. Nice loooong drive around the perimeter of the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Mattamuskeet. For the first hour, maybe, I saw three cars once I got on to 264. Check in was fast and easy. I made a reservation the day prior (for a standard sized car/SUV you're looking at $15 to make the crossing) and once I gave my name, it was checked off on the clipboard, a receipt was given and then we lined up. ferry.ncdot.gov/#/ We had about 30 minutes to kill and got out and walked around. No real place to go past inside the admin. building to use the bathroom or to walk along water line even if there are signs warning about snakes and gators. The Cedar Island pulled up right on time and the unloading/loading was done very efficiently and we even left a few minutes early. Very smooth ride over with no real bumps or chops. Weather was in the upper 50's, cloudy with some drizzle. Compared to the long lines to board over at Hatteras this one was a comparative breeze. Sure the ride is on the long side but the weather was great and I sat either inside the small passenger lounge or topside reading which was a-ok with me. The other obvious advantage to taking this boat versus Hatteras to get to Ocracoke is the ability to make a reservation. With the first come-first served-priority system of loading at Hatteras you can get blocked out for hours. I know this first hand. The day prior to this we got to Hatteras a little before 10am and they were telling people that maybe...they could get us on the 2pm boat...maybe and if not it would be the 3pm. Hell. No. Overall it was a great experience and in any future OBX trips I would have no problem leaving for Ocracoke from here.

    What a great way to travel to Ocracoke! The staff at the terminal were extremely friendly and…read moreengaging...even at 5:30am! The ferry was clean and offers restrooms, indoor cabin seating with a few tables plus outdoor deck seating. The Swan Quarter ferry offers the earliest arrival time to Ocracoke. Make sure to secure your reservation before the trip or else your ship may sail without you! Bon Voyage!

    Photos
    Swan Quarter Ferry Terminal
    Swan Quarter Ferry Terminal - Dock Area

    Dock Area

    Swan Quarter Ferry Terminal

    See all

    Cedar Island Ferry - ferries - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...