As the start of the official summer visitor season kicks into gear this weekend, the North Carolina Ferry Division is expanding ferry service to the popular destination of Ocracoke Island.

Beginning Tuesday, May 21, ferry routes between Cedar Island and Ocracoke and between Swan Quarter and Ocracoke increased service from six to eight departures each day.

The schedule through Sept. 9 will be:

Cedar Island-Ocracoke: 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Ocracoke-Cedar Island: 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Swan Quarter-Ocracoke: 7 a.m., 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Ocracoke-Swan Quarter: 7 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

In addition, the Ocracoke Express passenger ferry began its sixth season of service on Thursday. The ferry carries up to 129 passengers directly between Hatteras and Ocracoke Village on a 70-minute ride across Pamlico Sound.

This year, the passenger ferry will make eight departures during the busier days Tuesday through Friday, with trips from Hatteras at 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 5 p.m., and return trips from Ocracoke at 9:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3.p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, departures from Hatteras will be at 9:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., with return trips from Ocracoke at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Reservations are available 90 days in advance and highly recommended during the busy summer season. Travelers can make reservations online at ncferry.org or on the phone at 1-800-BY-FERRY.

In addition, the Hatteras-Ocracoke vehicle ferry route will continue running 52 scheduled departures each day between Hatteras and the north end of Ocracoke Island. No reservations are accepted on the Hatteras vehicle ferry.

For real-time text or email updates on weather or mechanical delays, sign up for the Ferry Information Notification System at ncdot.gov/fins.

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