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NCDOT Announces Emergency Ferry Schedule; Entry to Hatteras Island Restricted
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has activated emergency ferry service between Stumpy Point on the Dare County mainland and Rodanthe on Hatteras Island while N.C. Highway 12 remains closed at Pea Island. The ferry accommodates both vehicles and walk-on passengers.
There are no restrictions on leaving Hatteras Island; however, entry to Hatteras Island is restricted to Priority One and Priority Two individuals under Dare County’s State of Emergency. Non-resident visitors and non-resident property owners are not permitted to enter Hatteras Island at this time.
A one-way ferry trip takes approximately two hours. Ferry space is limited, and travelers should expect long lines and significant delays.
Emergency Ferry Schedule:
Beginning today (Sunday, September 27, 2026), NCDOT will operate three ferries between Stumpy Point and Rodanthe.
The ferry departure times for Sunday, September 27, 2026 are as follows:
Rodanthe to Stumpy Point:
11 a.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m.,5 p.m., 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Stumpy Point to Rodanthe:
12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Beginning Monday, September 28, 2026, the ferry departure times are as follows:
Rodanthe to Stumpy Point:
2 a.m., 5 a.m., 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Stumpy Point to Rodanthe
2 a.m., 5 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Ferry operations are subject to weather and marine conditions. NCDOT may adjust ferry schedules as needed to ensure safe and reliable service.
Leaving Hatteras Island:
People currently on Hatteras Island may use the emergency ferry to leave. There are no requirements for departure, but travelers should be prepared for substantial waits because ferry capacity is limited.
Visitors should understand that if they leave Hatteras Island, they cannot return while the current entry restrictions remain in effect. There is no timeline for when visitor access will resume.
Entering Hatteras Island:
Transporting essential supplies is a priority for emergency ferry operations. Commodities designated as essential by Dare County Emergency Management—which may include food, fuel and medical supplies—will receive priority before other traffic is accommodated.
Priority One — Essential personnel:
This includes utilities, government, medical and damage assessment personnel. They must present a valid entry permit and matching government-issued identification.
Priority Two — Permanent Hatteras Island residents and essential personnel for critical businesses:
Permanent residents may present a valid North Carolina driver's license or identification card showing a physical Hatteras Island address. They may also present a voter registration card showing a physical Hatteras Island address, along with matching government-issued photo identification. Residents may display a 2026 entry permit to help expedite processing at traffic control points.
Entry restrictions apply to all routes, including the emergency ferry and any route through Ocracoke Island when ferry service between Ocracoke and Hatteras resumes.
To apply for a 2026 entry permit or learn more about Dare County’s staged entry process, visit DareNC.gov/Reentry.
Emergency Ferry Terminals:
Stumpy Point Emergency Ferry Dock
100 Log Storage Road, Stumpy Point, NC 27953
Directions: From U.S. Highway 64 in Manns Harbor, take U.S. Highway 264 south toward Stumpy Point. Continue approximately 13 miles past the entrance to the village of Stumpy Point. The emergency ferry dock entrance will be on the left. Follow posted signs.
Rodanthe Emergency Ferry Dock
23170 Myrna Peters Road, Rodanthe, NC 27968
Directions: From N.C. Highway 12 in Rodanthe, turn west onto Myrna Peters Road, just north of the Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo Community Building. Follow the road to the terminal.
Travelers should follow posted signs and instructions from personnel at both terminals.
Priority Boarding Requests:
Priority ferry access may be granted in limited circumstances when travel is necessary due to an urgent or time-sensitive need, such as medical appointments, medical procedures or treatment, or other extenuating circumstances. Priority access is not guaranteed and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Individuals requesting priority access must complete the electronic request form available at info.darenc.gov/ferrypriority. Once the request has been reviewed, the individual will receive an email indicating whether the request has been approved or denied.
Travelers should understand that approval for priority access in one direction does not automatically provide priority access for the return trip. A separate request must be submitted for each direction of travel.
Travel Information, Questions and Updates:
Visitors with upcoming Hatteras Island reservations should not travel toward the island at this time. They should contact their accommodations provider directly about their reservation. Dare County cannot change lodging reservations or provide information about individual accommodations.
The Dare County information line will open at 12 p.m. today (Sunday, September 27, 2026). For questions about access and entry procedures, call the Dare County information line at 252-475-5655. Spanish translators are available.
Dare County will continue to share confirmed information about access to Hatteras Island as it becomes available. The next update will be issued no later than 12 p.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026.
National Park Service – Cape Hatteras National Seashore Update:
The National Park Service anticipates opening some off-road vehicle ramps at Cape Hatteras National Seashore this afternoon. Updates will be provided at http://go.nps.gov/beachaccess.
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