A riding buddy, Dennis Porterfield, pointed out that there are 3 chain/cable ferries usually approached via gravel roads. They are hard to find on the maps but Google Maps came to the rescue. The 3 additions are in reasonable proximity to the route I had already laid out. So I feel that it is now complete. So it’s 5 fresh water/river ferries and 5 coastal ferries. This may add another night out due to more winding around which will slow it down a bit.
Now I wait for a nice springtime 4 days!
I'll be taking the 2017 BMW R1200gsa and will be looking good weather to begin this trip!
Well, it took some work to plan for the 7 car ferries. I will be traveling some 902 miles over 4 days and cover the whole east coast of North Carolina.
The first stop will be Calabash, NC for lunch, sorry no ferry there but a great seafood lunch.
Logistically the outer banks ferries are harder to incorporate into a route. Need reservations frequently and they are long rides. I know there will be a lot of hurry up and wait. Each ferry eats up a bit of time, not just the ride but add onto that 45 minutes before and 30 after plus there is alway the chance of missing the ferry and having to wake 1 - 2 hours for the next one. The wild card is the weather, high winds and bad storms can shut down the ferries to Ocracoke for days. In a car, definitely have reservations! Even my motorcycle has been left sitting at the dock with no room left on the ferry.
Southport - Ft. Fisher Ferry is the first crossing. It is relatively short, maybe 45 minutes then I have the long road up the coast to the next Ferry.
Cherry Branch Ferry to Minnesott. This will be an over and back ride. The Neuse River is probably fresh/brackish water and inland from the coast.
The lines out in the ocean are the ferry routes to Ocracoke and the road route to the Hatteras ferry.
Cedar Island to Ocracoke Ferry is a long pretty ride through the Pamlico Sound ending up in this small town with excellent lodging and restaurants. I will overnight here and in the morning I am off again.
Hatteras to Ocracoke Ferry is a short distance and a short ride so this will be an over and back, returning to Ocracoke to catch the afternoon ferry. Currently this road is closed, which means no ferry service, due to ocean over wash! Serious problem and may be weeks to clear. I have ridden this section after a storm when I had to ride on sand through salt water. Mother Nature wants this part of the island back and she will take it!
Ocracoke - Swan Quarter Ferry another long ferry ride 1-2 hours so sit back and enjoy. Take some bread to toss up in the air for the Seagulls.
Bayview - Aurora Ferry - From Swan Quarter the route loops around to the second fresh/brackish river, the Pamlico River. This again is an over and back ferry, short in duration so then I will be off to the northeast corner of NC to catch my last ferry.
Currituck - Knotts Island Ferry- The only road access to this island is driving up into Virginia some distance then coming down the spit of land that is Knotts Island. Thankfully they have a ferry in North Carolina to access this Island that is a wildlife preserve with little to no lodging or restaurants. I suspect I will be carrying my camping gear for this and the necessary food. I have searched the web but don't find much on this land mass. The following morning I will be back on the ferry heading home.
