The Ocracoke Express: ‘It really is fantastic’

Published 5:07 pm Thursday, May 23, 2019

: Steve Vuilleumier from Connecticut holds the first passenger ticket for the May 20 ride on the Ocracoke Express. Kellan Cooper sold him the ticket. Some 57 smiling men, women and children, four bikes and a dog named Cotton made the maiden voyage of the Ocracoke Express. NCDOT Ferry Division photo

“It’s a wonderful ride. You just need to do it,” said Liz Browning Fox, a passenger on the maiden voyage of the Ocracoke Express.

The NCDOT-leased catamaran flew through the Pamlico Sound water at 32.2 miles per hour.

The journey from the Hatteras ferry dock starts with a disconcerting turn to the right. The long familiar car ferry turns left.

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Once in front of the Hatteras Harbor breakwater, the passenger ferry moves into the Rollinson channel and goes deep into Pamlico Sound and then into Ocracoke’s Silver Lake.

The ride takes 70 minutes including loading and unloading.

In Ocracoke, a tram waits to take people on the established route around the village.

A couple of tips: The ticket purchase is round trip. Ticket buyers will be asked to select a return trip. Wear a hat that ties so it will not fly off if you are outside on the upper deck.