OBX Cedar Island to Ocracoke Island Ferry North Carolina
Nearly 10 percent of North Carolina is underwater, and most of those 5,200 square miles of water are in the Coastal Plain in the form of inlets, sounds and rivers.
Early settlers were challenged to cross these waters by boats, and some ferries were established to transport people, wagons and livestock. Eventually, as automobiles began to roll off assembly lines in the early 20th century, people wanted to take their motorized vehicles with them on these ferries.
One of the true pioneers in North Carolina’s ferry industry was J. B. “Toby” Tillett, a commercial fisherman, who in 1924 started a tug and barge service from Wanchese on Roanoke Island to Oregon Inlet on the Outer Banks, between Bodie and Pea islands in Dare County. Tillett’s barge was capable of transporting two cars at a time.
According to an article written by David Stick that appeared in the June 1949 issue of Our State magazine, Tillett asked his passengers to hoist a flag up the staff at the ferry landing when they were ready to cross. He would see the flag and come get them. Stick’s story said Tillett was running a regular schedule of seven round-trips a day by 1928.
Tillett built and launched the Barcelona in 1931, which could handle 14 cars at a time. He charged $2 per vehicle one-way, Stick wrote.
In 1934, the North Carolina Highway Commission began subsidizing Tillett’s business, and the fee was reduced to $1 each way.
The North Carolina ferry system was created in 1947, when the state purchased a ferry service operated by Thomas A. Baum that ran across Croatan Sound in Dare County, connecting Manns Harbor and Roanoke Island. This became the first “official” route operated by the state ferry operation. Hence, 2017 marks the 70-year anniversary of the establishment of the North Carolina ferry system.
In 1950, the state bought Tillett’s ferry business as well.
In 1957, the state began running regular ferry service between Hatteras Island in Dare County and Ocracoke Island in Hyde County.
Ferry access came to Carteret County in 1959, when a private company began service between Ocracoke and the Town of Atlantic in the Down East section of Carteret County. This run was abruptly halted the following year because of damage done by Hurricane Donna.
The state purchased the operation in May 1961 and soon thereafter resumed service to Ocracoke. This became the first toll ferry in the state system. In 1964, the southern docks were moved from Atlantic to Cedar Island, cutting the crossing time by 75 minutes.
The next route to be added crossed Currituck Sound between Currituck and Knotts Island in Currituck County; the route from Southport in Brunswick County to Fort Fisher in New Hanover County was established in 1965; and the Bayview-Aurora route crossing the Pamlico River in Beaufort County was added in 1966.
Beginning in 1973, service across the Neuse River was added, connecting Minnesott Beach in Pamlico County with Cherry Branch in Craven County. The Swan Quarter-Ocracoke route was the last to be added in 1977, finally providing the residents of Ocracoke with a direct link to their county seat (Swan Quarter) in Hyde County.
Over the years, certain routes became obsolete as bridges were built, providing even easier transport to and from the islands. The original Baum route was replaced by the Manns Harbor Bridge and later the Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge, while the original Tillett route was discontinued in 1963 upon the grand opening of the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge.
Today, the NC Ferry Division is a unit of the NC Dept. of Transportation (NCDOT). There are 22 vessels in the fleet with more than 400 ferry system employees. North Carolina’s ferry operation is the second largest state-run program in the nation. Only Washington state’s is larger.
This economic impact is likely to increase dramatically due to new signage that was installed in the spring of 2016 along the route of the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway, which includes U.S. 70 and N.C. 12 in Carteret County. Officially, the byway is 137.8 miles in length. (For the benefit of international travelers, that translates to 221.8 kilometers.)
Only 150 routes across America have attained the distinction of being labeled National Scenic Byways. The official guidebook says: “Leave the mainland behind and come to the most romantic byway in North Carolina – the Outer Banks Scenic Byway … a must for any traveler looking to escape to a time of front porch talks and simple maritime living.”
The longest ferry rides are the 26.4-mile crossing from Ocracoke to Swan Quarter (2.5 hours each way) and the 22.6-mile route from Ocracoke to Cedar Island (2.25 hours each way). Fares are charged for these routes as well as the Southport-Fort Fisher run. The other four state ferry routes are free.
Top 12. Best Tourist Attractions in Ocracoke, North Carolina
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The most beautiful places and sight in Ocracoke.
Top 12. Best Tourist Attractions in Ocracoke, North Carolina: Ocracoke Lighthouse, Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, British Cemetery, Springer's Point Preserve, Ocracoke Preservation Museum, Ocracoke Island Visitor Center, Ocracoke Pony Pens, Teach's Hole Blackbeard Exhibit, Portsmouth Village, Outer Banks National Scenic Byway, Hammock Hills Nature Trails, Anchorage Marina
OBX National Scenic Byway Roadtrip
NC Highway 12 Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Outer Banks, NC Part 1
Afternoon drive along one of America's most scenic highways... NC Route 12 along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This is Part 1 of a 9 part video. Enjoy a virtual driving tour from the entrance to the highway past the Bodie Island Lighthouse toward Oregon Inlet and the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge. This video was filmed on my Sony HD Handycam during my annual trip to the Outer Banks on May 31, 2013.
I'm sorry for the mute in the audio. YouTube has a stupid copyright problem where unless they're making money for the music in my video, I cant have it play on the car's radio in the background of my video. You know, I could help that when I filmed the video. I would have rather listened to the pitch of the car's engine for an hour rather than music while I drove all the way down Hatteras Island. Ohwell, I own the song and I didn't buy it and as long as I have the video saved on my memory card and computer, YouTube and the copyright owner can't and won't do anything about it.
Cedar Island NC
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Hog Island is a chain of pristine islands with over 600 acres overlooking Pamlico Sound, Back Bay & Cedar Island Bay, adjacent to the Cedar Island-Ocracoke NC Ferry Terminal, The Gateway to the Outer Banks. West Hog Island and East Hog Island have multiple building sites and are currently inhabited by wild horses left by Spanish Explorers.
Cedar Island Village is located at the Cedar Island - Ocracoke Ferry Terminal on NC Hwy 12, part of the NC Outer Banks Scenic Byway, with year-round traffic from north and southbound tourists, vacationers, business travelers, hunters, fishing & outdoor enthusiasts. The unique culture and landscape of the communities along this route earned it recognition as a scenic byway on a state and national level. This central hub destination village offers visitors easy, affordable access to world class red drum fishing, duck hunting, horseback riding, hiking, kite surfing, clamming, oysters, bird watching, along with access to some of the East Coasts most beautiful National Parks & Seashore at Cape Lookout, Ocracoke, Cape Hatteras and minutes to the 14,000 Acre Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge, formed in 1964 under the Migratory Bird Act to provide a sanctuary for migratory birds. A Sport's & Nature Lover's Paradise!
For More Info, contact: FrankEfird.com
NC Highway 12 Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Outer Banks, NC Part 6
Afternoon drive along one of America's most scenic highways... NC Route 12 along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This is Part 6 of a 9 part video. Enjoy a virtual driving tour along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore as well as the sights and beauty of Hatteras Island. In this video, I've just passed through Salvo and am heading south toward Avon, NC. This video was filmed on my Sony HD Handycam during my annual trip to the Outer Banks on May 31, 2013.
I do not own the music in my video. All music is copyrighted and protected by YouTube. Anyway, enjoy the video. Thanks for watching!
NC Highway 12 Herbert C. Bonner Bridge - Outer Banks, NC Part 2
Afternoon drive along one of America's most scenic highways... NC Route 12 along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This is Part 2 of a 9 part video. Enjoy a virtual driving tour from Oregon Inlet, the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge, and the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge. This video was filmed on my Sony HD Handycam during my annual trip to the Outer Banks on May 31, 2013.
I'm sorry for the mute in the audio. YouTube has a stupid copyright problem where unless they're making money for the music in my video, I cant have it play on the car's radio in the background of my video. You know, I could help that when I filmed the video. I would have rather listened to the pitch of the car's engine for an hour rather than music while I drove all the way down Hatteras Island. Ohwell, I own the song and I didn't buy it and as long as I have the video saved on my memory card and computer, YouTube and the copyright owner can't and won't do anything about it.
NCDOT Now - N.C. 12, Thanksgiving Travel and Southwest Bypass
This week on NCDOT Now: N.C. 12 on Hatteras Island is back open after storm damage, NCDOT gives tips for holiday travel and the Southwest Bypass is now open for drivers.
NC Highway 12 Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Outer Banks, NC Part 4
Afternoon drive along one of America's most scenic highways... NC Route 12 along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This is Part 4 of a 9 part video. Enjoy a virtual driving tour from beach access just south of the Temporary Bridge toward Rodanthe, NC as well as the sights and beauty of Hatteras Island. This video was filmed on my Sony HD Handycam during my annual trip to the Outer Banks on May 31, 2013.
I do not own the music in my video. If the video goes silent, I apologize. YouTube has copyright problems where unless they're making money for the music in my video, I can't have it play on the car's radio in the background of my video. Anyway, enjoy the video. Thanks for watching!
The Outer Banks of North Carolina
Outer Banks Visitors Bureau official video shot in 16mm film, showcasing our wonderful beaches, vast barrier island landscapes and historic sites such as Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Wright Brothers National Memorial, Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Jockey's Ridge State Park and Cape Hatteras National Seashore. outerbanks.org
NC Highway 12 Rodanthe, Waves, & Salvo - Outer Banks, NC Part 5
Afternoon drive along one of America's most scenic highways... NC Route 12 along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This is Part 5 of a 9 part video. Enjoy a virtual driving tour through the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo on Hatteras Island. This video was filmed on my Sony HD Handycam during my annual trip to the Outer Banks on May 31, 2013.
I do not own the music in my video. YouTube has copyright claims on music. Anyway, enjoy the video. Thanks for watching!
Hike at Jockey's Ridge State Park, Outer Banks, NC
Hike at Jockey's Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The state park is made up of numerous large sand dunes that are continuously being reshaped by the wind. The dunes somewhat inhibit the growth of vegetation but there are other areas around the dunes with trees, shrubs and wildflowers. Various insects and birds can also he heard. The hike transverses some of the dunes and then makes it's way around to the sound side of the outer banks facing the mainland of North Carolina.
NC Highway 12 Temporary Bridge - Outer Banks, NC Part 3
Afternoon drive along one of America's most scenic highways... NC Route 12 along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This is Part 3 of a 9 part video. Enjoy a virtual driving tour southbound as we travel across the Temporary Bridge at what is called New New Inlet. This video was filmed on my Sony HD Handycam during my annual trip to the Outer Banks on May 31, 2013
TimeLapse - Ashville NC to Cape Hatteras NC
The drive on March 14th 2015 to Cape Hatteras NC. The clouds and rain continued on this day and limited the visibility of the mountains leaving Asheville as well as the shoreline in Cape Hatteras.
Driving Time-Lapse: U.S. Highway 64 East/West (OBX) - June 5th, 2015
A time-lapse of driving a stretch of U.S. Highway 64 that connects the North Carolina mainland to the Outer Banks. If driving toward the OBX, then you cross over three large, long bridges that cross the Alligator River and Croatan Sound, in that order. It is a very scenic drive, and I would highly recommended taking a vacation to the Outer Banks. Don't let the sharks drive you away!
Distance: 27.5 miles
NC WEEKEND | Fort Raleigh National Historic Site | UNC-TV
unctv.org/ncweekend | Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. Manteo, NC. Julia Carpenter discovers three things you probably didn't know about this fascinating national treasure. | unctv.org/ncweekend
Traveling Robert - Episode 41 - Road Trip America North
Miami, Florida to Sandusky, Ohio
Highway 12 - Outer Banks - North Carolina - Oregon Inlet
Cruising northbound on the awesome highway 12 at the Outer Banks. Somewhere between Rodanthe and Nags Head. Crossing the Oregon Inlet. Great drive! The Atlantic Ocean to the right the Pamlico Sound to the left. Good music, good weather, great landscape and a nice car. i could do this for hours...
Outer Banks Motorcycle Trip OBX 2016
View from the Cabin at Table Rock
Recorded on February 19, 2011 using a Flip Video camcorder.