North Carolina Department of Transportation Ferry Division

An additional coastal ferry servicing Hammocks Beach State Park is operated by the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, and several private companies operate ferry services to sites such as Cape Lookout and Portsmouth Island.

The first ferries began in the mid-1920s when Captain J.B. "Toby" Tillett established a tug and barge service across Oregon Inlet along North Carolina's Outer Banks.

In 1934, the North Carolina Highway Commission recognized the importance of this service to residents and began subsidizing Tillett's business.

Baum, who operated a route that ran across Croatan Sound and linked Manns Harbor and Roanoke Island.

These Vessels draft only 4 feet, and are designed for the shallow waters and shifting shoals of Eastern North Carolina.

These boats are designed for heavy, abusive use, and are double-ended (except the Hunt), meaning they do not have to turn around at the docks.

These Ferries are designed to withstand the abuse of constantly traversing the shallow, turbulent waters of the Pamlico Sound.

Logo of the North Carolina Department of Transportation Ferry Division
The logo of the North Carolina Ferry System that appears on all the vessels beneath the name of the vessel on the tower
The Hatteras Class ferry, Roanoke, operating between Cherry Branch and Minnesott Beach on the Neuse River .
The River Class ferry, Croatoan, operating between Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks .
The Sound Class ferry, Cedar Island, operating between Cedar Island and Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks .
M/V Fort Fisher on the Southport–Fort Fisher Ferry route