As seasonal visitors begin their summer treks to the North Carolina coast, the North Carolina Ferry System is switching to peak season schedules on its popular Hatteras-Ocracoke route Tuesday, May 3. The number of daily trips on the route will double from 18 departures from each side to 36. The summer schedule will run through October 10.

In addition, the Ferry Division is once again encouraging travelers to make their trips to Ocracoke Island earlier in the day to avoid peak travel times that can sometimes lead to long wait times. “Our statistics show that people who arrive at Hatteras before 9 a.m. can usually avoid long lines,” said Ferry Division Communications Officer Tim Hass, “and if they travel between Friday and Monday have an even better chance of getting onto a ferry quickly.”

Three weeks later, the Ferry Division will also increase Ocracoke access via its Pamlico Sound routes, with five daily round trips from Cedar Island and four from Swan Quarter beginning May 24. Those summer schedules will last through September 26.

“We look forward to serving thousands of residents and visitors this summer on all our routes,” said Ferry Division director Ed Goodwin. “There’s no better place to spend time in the summer than the North Carolina coast, and the Ferry System is very proud to be a part of that experience.”

Schedules for all seven of the North Carolina Ferry System’s routes can be found at: http://www.ncdot.gov/download/transit/ferry/ferryschedule.pdf