Southport–Fort Fisher ferry schedule and guide
The North Carolina Department of Transportation Ferry Division (NCDOT) runs the Southport–Fort Fisher ferry, a car and passenger ferry across the Cape Fear River between Southport and Fort Fisher, North Carolina. The Southport–Fort Fisher ferry does not take reservations.
The Southport–Fort Fisher ferry runs a weekday schedule and a weekend schedule.
Schedule up to date as of October 25, 2026
Contents
Southport–Fort Fisher ferry schedule Fall 2026
The Fall 2026 schedule runs from September 8, 2026 to December 31, 2026.
Departures from Southport, Mondays through Fridays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 5:30 AM | Fort Fisher |
| 7:00 AM | Fort Fisher |
| 7:45 AM | Fort Fisher |
| 8:30 AM | Fort Fisher |
| 9:15 AM | Fort Fisher |
| 10:45 AM | Fort Fisher |
| 11:30 AM | Fort Fisher |
| 1:00 PM | Fort Fisher |
| 1:45 PM | Fort Fisher |
| 2:30 PM | Fort Fisher |
| 3:15 PM | Fort Fisher |
| 4:00 PM | Fort Fisher |
| 4:45 PM | Fort Fisher |
| 6:15 PM | Fort Fisher |
Departures from Southport, Saturdays and Sundays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Fort Fisher |
| 8:30 AM | Fort Fisher |
| 9:15 AM | Fort Fisher |
| 10:00 AM | Fort Fisher |
| 10:45 AM | Fort Fisher |
| 11:30 AM | Fort Fisher |
| 12:15 PM | Fort Fisher |
| 1:00 PM | Fort Fisher |
| 1:45 PM | Fort Fisher |
| 2:30 PM | Fort Fisher |
| 3:15 PM | Fort Fisher |
| 4:00 PM | Fort Fisher |
| 4:45 PM | Fort Fisher |
| 6:15 PM | Fort Fisher |
Departures from Fort Fisher, Mondays through Fridays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 6:15 AM | Southport |
| 7:45 AM | Southport |
| 8:30 AM | Southport |
| 9:15 AM | Southport |
| 10:00 AM | Southport |
| 11:30 AM | Southport |
| 12:15 PM | Southport |
| 1:45 PM | Southport |
| 2:30 PM | Southport |
| 3:15 PM | Southport |
| 4:00 PM | Southport |
| 4:45 PM | Southport |
| 5:30 PM | Southport |
| 7:00 PM | Southport |
Departures from Fort Fisher, Saturdays and Sundays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:45 AM | Southport |
| 9:15 AM | Southport |
| 10:00 AM | Southport |
| 10:45 AM | Southport |
| 11:30 AM | Southport |
| 12:15 PM | Southport |
| 1:00 PM | Southport |
| 1:45 PM | Southport |
| 2:30 PM | Southport |
| 3:15 PM | Southport |
| 4:00 PM | Southport |
| 4:45 PM | Southport |
| 5:30 PM | Southport |
| 7:00 PM | Southport |
Southport–Fort Fisher ferry fares
| Fare type | Fare |
|---|---|
| Walk-on passengers and bicycles | |
| Pedestrian | $1.00 |
| Pedestrian under age 5 | Free |
| Bicycle, including the rider | $2.00 |
| Vehicles, including passengers | |
| Motorcycle, scooter, golf cart, ATV or 3-wheel motorcycle | $3.00 |
| Motorcycle with sidecar or trailer | $7.00 |
| Vehicle or combination under 20 feet | $7.00 |
| Vehicle or combination over 20 feet, up to 40 feet | $14.00 |
| Vehicle or combination over 40 feet, up to 65 feet | $28.00 |
- NCDOT charges by vehicle, with no charge for each passenger in it. Fares are one way. NCDOT takes cash, debit and credit cards.
Southport–Fort Fisher ferry details
| Operator | North Carolina Department of Transportation Ferry Division (NCDOT) |
|---|---|
| Vehicles | Motorcycles and any highway-legal car, trailer or RV. Vehicles over 65 feet need a special permit. |
| Reservations | Not taken. NCDOT takes reservations only on the Cedar Island and Swan Quarter–Ocracoke routes and the passenger ferry. |
| Payment | NCDOT charges a one-way toll by vehicle type on the Southport–Fort Fisher ferry, with no charge for each passenger in a vehicle. Ticket booths outside each terminal entrance take cash, debit and credit cards. |
| Bicycles | Bicycles ride for a bicycle fare that includes the rider. |
| Pets | Pets stay in vehicles or on leashes, and owners clean up after them. Horses travel in a horse trailer. NCDOT allows only service animals in passenger lounges. |
| Accessibility | ADA-accessible restrooms at every NCDOT ferry terminal and on some vessels |
| Restrooms and food on board | Restrooms at each ferry terminal and on the vessels. Vending at most NCDOT ferry terminals and on many ferries, with no meals. Alcohol and smoking are not allowed on board. |
Southport ferry terminal address and phone
The Southport ferry terminal is at 1650 Ferry Rd., Southport, NC 28461, on the west bank of the Cape Fear River. Its phone number is (910) 477-5200.
Fort Fisher ferry terminal address and phone
The Fort Fisher ferry terminal is at 2422 S. Fort Fisher Blvd., Kure Beach, NC 28449, on the east bank of the Cape Fear River. Its phone number is (910) 251-7310.
What to do near Southport and Fort Fisher
Southport sits at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, with a historic downtown of shops and restaurants. The beaches and golf courses of the Brunswick Islands are nearby.
Fort Fisher has a Civil War historic site and an aquarium. NCDOT points Fort Fisher visitors to Kure, Carolina and Wrightsville beaches and nearby Wilmington.
Southport–Fort Fisher ferry delays, alerts and security
NCDOT says tides, winds and heavy rain can affect Southport–Fort Fisher ferry travel. NCDOT sends ferry alerts by text or email through its Ferry Information Notification System (FINS).
NCDOT can ask Southport–Fort Fisher ferry riders for photo ID and screens vehicles at random. NCDOT can refuse passage to riders who decline.
Southport–Fort Fisher ferry FAQs
Does the Southport–Fort Fisher ferry take reservations?
The Southport–Fort Fisher ferry does not take reservations. Drivers board first come, first served.
How much is the Southport–Fort Fisher ferry?
The Southport–Fort Fisher ferry charges a one-way toll by vehicle type, listed in the fares table on this page. A vehicle's toll covers everyone in it.
Does the Southport ferry run on weekends?
The Southport–Fort Fisher ferry runs every day. Its Saturday and Sunday schedule differs from the weekday schedule, and both are on this page.
Where does the Fort Fisher ferry leave from?
The Fort Fisher ferry terminal is at 2422 S. Fort Fisher Blvd., Kure Beach, NC 28449. Across the Cape Fear River, the Southport ferry terminal is at 1650 Ferry Rd., Southport, NC 28461.
Can RVs and trailers ride the Southport–Fort Fisher ferry?
The Southport–Fort Fisher ferry takes motorcycles and any highway-legal car, trailer or RV. Vehicles over 65 feet need a special permit.
Can pets ride the Southport–Fort Fisher ferry?
Pets can ride the Southport–Fort Fisher ferry inside vehicles or on leashes, and owners clean up after them. NCDOT allows only service animals in passenger lounges.