The Cedar Island-Ocracoke Ferry Service carries passengers and vehicles between the Crystal Coast and Ocracoke Island, which is a 2¼ hours crossing. The Cedar Island ferry terminal is about 45 miles east of Beaufort, but allow at least an hour and a half for the car trip. Ferry reservations must be claimed...more about Cedar Island-Ocracoke Toll Ferry
By Sea
Visitors arriving by sea most often come via the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), which provides access by water to the Crystal Coast and passes by Morehead City, Beaufort, Swansboro and along Bogue Banks. To reach New Bern by water, slip into Pamlico Sound and head up the Neuse River. Beaufort is a favorite stop for boaters on the north-south ICW run in the spring and fall. Transient dockage at either the Beaufort Town Docks or Town Creek Marina is hospitable, and anchorage and docking points are available in several areas for both overnight or long-term stays. See our section on Marinas for details.
A variety of state-owned ferries and private ferries serve the Crystal Coast, offering visitors and residents an enjoyable transportation alternative via inland sounds and rivers.