Visitors who want to stay ahead of the traffic are advised to aim for a weekday, when ferry traffic is significantly less, or try to be an "early bird" and catch the 8:30 a.m., 7:45a.m., or even 7:00 a.m. departure when ferry traffic is minimal. It is educational and fun for the littles, with lots to see and do for the adults as well. The Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry does not accept reservations. Theres an ocean of adventures waiting for visitors at the Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park. Reservations are not required, however a small fee applies to both passengers and vehicles wishing to board. Commercial Desk: x302 Near the Fort Fisher Terminal, there are a number of hotels, motels, and vacation rentals in the towns of Kure Beach and Carolina Beach. All visitors should be in their vehicles and ready to board roughly 15 minutes before their ferry is slated to depart. NC Ferry Reservations. It accommodates the Open Oceans Gallery, home to many marine animals, such as jellyfish, octopus, corals, and two ledges called the Sharktooth Ledge and Cape Fear Ledge. Is the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry air conditioned? 1-877-DOT-4YOU ( The trip to and from Fort Fisher is a fun aspect of a Carolina Beach vacation in its own right, featuring incredible far-away views of the banks of the Cape Fear River, dozens if not hundreds of seagulls that follow the stern of the boat begging for handouts, and miles of open water in virtually every direction. Park staff lead regularly scheduled interpretive programs that allow the public to gain perspective into what makes North Carolina state parks naturally wonderfully. We go every year. (link is external) For questions, call: 910-458-5798. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. 1000 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach, NC 28449. Deep Point Marina is located at 1301 Ferry Road, Southport, NC, just before the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry Landing. How long is the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry ride? The Aquarium Society provides over $2 million in annual support to the Aquariums at Fort Fisher, Pine Knoll Shores, Roanoke Island, and Jennette's Pier in Nags Head. Visitors to historic Southport who want to make a beach escape, or Carolina Beach travelers who need an easy yet scenic route to head south will find the Southport / Fort Fisher ferry a convenient yet completely unique way to explore the southern North Carolina coastline. Cameras are a must for this adventure, and the ferries provide ample space along the outdoors decks to enjoy the views, as well an expansive climate controlled passenger lounge on the top level of the ship to enjoy a bird's eye vista in comfort. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Ferry operators. Additionally, youll see an old favorite, Maverick, the rescued bald eagle. Fees are also charged for certain event permits and facility reservations. Per the NCDOT, the routes will begin running on the following schedule: The busiest days for the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry tend to change by the season, but generally, weekends can have a steady line of traffic due to day-trippers as well as people arriving for their vacation, especially in the summer months. Most events are free, though some may require pre-registration. Raleigh, NC 27699-4620, An official website of the State of North Carolina. Accessibility. To learn more, view our full privacy policy. Follow @NCDOT_Ferry on Twitter for real-time schedule updates. We think this topic deserves its own post since there are so many things to do in these areas. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The Southport - Fort Fisher route ferries do have climate controlled passenger lounges on the second level of the vessels. You can visit the Fort Fisher Historical Site and walk through an important piece of our history or go to the North Carolina Aquarium and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of our underwater habitats. Recommendations and/or directions? Fun experience over from Southpoint. The current price for a one-time ticket is as follows: $12.95 per adult (13 and up) $10.95 per child (3-12) $11.95 per senior. The group helps provide funding for Junior Ranger and Youth in Parks Environmental Education programs, as well as grants for state parks projects. Tickets:The aquarium does have a membership that is part of the NC Zoo Membership Program. For further assistance, call us at Though just a short 35 minute ride from the mainland to Pleasure Island, (the home of Fort Fisher State Park, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach), this ferry trip nonetheless gives its passengers exceptional views of the Cape Fear River, and an incredible story to take back home. Very easy and convenient. Air-conditioned vehicle. Payments using Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express are accepted online and over the phone. Tickets are . The Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry generally starts boarding about 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Does the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry run in storms or hurricanes? Are there vending machines or food available on the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry? Their first boat trip. For DMV questions, call us at This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Make your special occasion naturally wonderful. From late September until the end of March, the ferry has approximately 14 crossings throughout the day, leaving each terminal every 45 minutes or so, and in the summer season from April until shortly after Labor Day, the runs increase slightly to around 16 crossings per day. 60 minutes waiting time after flight arrival. Raleigh, NC 27603, Mailing Address: 612. Fares are inexpensive and range from ~$1 - $15. Are you looking for a day out with your family and friends to discover the North Carolina coast? Is there internet access on the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry? See more about fares here. When in Southport, be sure to take in the beautiful waterfront, dine at one of Southport's fabulous restaurants - many overlooking the Cape Fear River or Intracoastal Waterway, and visit movie locations from TV shows and motion pictures such as Safe Haven and Under the Dome. Can you smoke on the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry? How far is the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry from the Fort Fisher State Park beaches? Ticketing: x303 Its almost like its their personal vacation home. Even before guests arrive at their vacation destination, the Victory Beach Vacations website greets them with a live beach cam and exquisite aerial footage of both Carolina and Kure Beaches. All exhibits are also fully accessible for everyone, and the two floors have elevators and stairs. You can also find the link listed in the top right-hand column of each of the route schedule page. Private transportation. Can you walk onboard the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry? . At scheduled times throughout the year, costumed guided tours tell the story of the Confederate artillerists and U.S. infantrymen. The Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry has a passenger lounge on the second level of the vessel, which is climate controlled and therefore air conditioned in the summer months, and headed in the winter months. Ferries are loaded on a first-come, first-served basis. The Fort Fisher terminal of the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry is located on the southern end of Fort Fisher, just past the North Carolina Aquarium. Summertime weekends are especially popular, as are long weekend holidays and mid-morning arrivals to Fort Fisher or late afternoon departures headed back to Southport. The Southport terminal is located on the appropriately named Ferry Road, which is slightly north of the historic downtown Southport area. Restrooms and water fountains are available as well, and visitors are free to get out of their vehicles and explore the ferry at their leisure. Donations are appreciated. They say that visitors should expect to spend about 2 hours touring the entire facility, not including digging in the outdoor fossil pit.. There are no vending machines or drinks available onboard the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry, however there is a water fountain for passengers. Essentially, the river views are unparalleled in this part of southern NC, and the short 35 minute trip will illuminate this region of the coastline and present an entirely new perspective of the Cape Fear River for infrequent visitors and longtime residents alike. When you enter, youll notice that there are several different sections of exhibits and animals! Can you fish off the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry? Please fill out, sign and return to David McCall at the Ferry Office on Fishers. The Fort Fisher Aquarium is a place where all ages can enjoy themselves! Are there restrooms on the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry? in the world? Visitors can drive from Southport to Fort Fisher instead of taking the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry. Contact N.C. Department of Transportation 1501 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1501 Send Message A trail traverses the salt marsh and ends at an observation deck with views of Zeke's Island and the Cape Fear River. We bring food to throw to the birds off the ferry, also bring a deck of cards or something to keep busy while you are waiting in line for ferry. State Government websites value user privacy. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know to make the most of your day or jump below to learn about how to get there and getting tickets. The fare to cross the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry is dependent on vehicle type. They say that visitors should expect to spend about 2 hours touring the entire facility, not including digging in the outdoor fossil pit.. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. Additionally, please remember that Fort Fisher Aquarium follows the local COVID regulations, and . See more about fares here. JavaScript Required JavaScript must be enabled to use some features of this site. There are motels and hotels close to the Southport ferry terminal in both the downtown region and the greater Southport region. To get a better lay of the land (or ocean), you can find a, map of the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, In the past, the Fort Fisher Aquarium hosted several annual events such as Behind the Scenes tours, Annual Christmas Tree Decorating, and much more! Polynesian Fire Luau and Dinner Show Ticket in Myrtle Beach. Open alcoholic beverages are not allowed on board the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry, which includes decks, lounges, and inside individual vehicles. The entire team here deserves a raise. honestly idk how they do it. Youll also notice the Cape Fear Shoals, an exhibit that reaches from the top to the bottom level of the Marine Building filled with beautiful fish that can swim in safety and leisure. Tickets. Near the Fort Fisher Terminal, there are a number of hotels, motels, and vacation rentals in the towns of Kure Beach and Carolina Beach. Heard there was an aquarium somewhere. South See more about fares here. Approximately 180 yards of the land face exists on the river side of U.S. 421 and seventy-five yards of the land face exists on the ocean side. View all hotels near Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry on Tripadvisor, North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport, View all attractions near Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry on Tripadvisor, Hotels near North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport, Hotels near Fort Johnston - Southport Museum & Visitors Center, Hotels near Old Brunswick County Jail Museum, Hotels near Trinity United Methodist Church, Hotels near New Hanover County Airport (ILM), Motels near New Hanover County Airport (ILM), Points of Interest & Landmarks in Southport, One Day Tour Chiang Rai(White Temple , Blue Temple, Black House) Private Tour, SoCal 420-friendly Party bus (LA, OC, San Diego, surrounding region), Tour to Chichen Itza and Ekbalam with Cenote, Live Guided Tour Sagrada Familia: Stories, Secrets & Symbols Exterior. Can you smoke on the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry? The Southport / Fort Fisher ferry is one of seven North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) ferries that service the slightly-inland communities and barrier islands of the state. What hotels are near Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry? You can enter the aquariums address in your GPS to get there. To get a better lay of the land (or ocean), you can find amap of the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisheron their website. Restaurants near Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry: Attractions near Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry: Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry: Address, Phone Number, Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry Reviews: 5/5. We drove down to Southport which took us about an hour going through Wilmington but on the way back we took the ferry. What attractions are near Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry? Tickets cost $1 and the journey takes 35 min. You'll need at least a bicycle on the Southport side since it's about 2 miles from downtown. Where are the docks for the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry? Call 1-800-293-3779 for assistance. Raleigh, NC 27603, Mailing Address: Contact For wedding inquiries, please visit our Special Event Rentals page. The ferry schedule varies depending on the time of year, but generally runs year-round from 5:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., depending on the departure ferry terminal. From mid-morning until late afternoon, the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry generally runs every 45 minutes from both terminals. Does the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry operate year-round? How soon before departure does the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry board? Our mailing address is 1501 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1501. There are motels and hotels close to the Southport ferry terminal in both the downtown region and the greater Southport region. Since then, the state of North Carolina aquarium has undergone several renovations and expansions, including a major renovation in 2002 that added several new exhibits and . For DMV questions, call us at Locate contact information for NCDOT employees, local offices, and more. Our mailing address is 1501 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1501. The aquarium is open daily from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm year-round, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Visitors should not feed seagulls off the back of the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry. Park gate is closed and locked at park closing time. Lanier also notes that all properties are within walking or driving distance to Pleasure Islands main attractions Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Reservations are not required, however travelers are advised to watch out for popular "prime times" when lines can be long, and a wait is to be expected. Just minutes away from Southport is the Oak Island Lighthouse, the last lighthouse built in the state. The NC Aquarium Society is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization (Tax ID# 56-1512990) and receives all gifts on behalf of the NC Aquariums and Jennette's Pier. Ferry passengers will also enjoy a fantastic treat around sunset, when the Cape Fear River lights up in hues of orange, pink and purple, and passing schools of fish and flocks of migrating birds add to the inspiring natural scene. For ferry schedule, call 910-457-6942 or toll free at 1-800-BYFERRY. Ferry Ride Length: 35 minutes; Tickets: One-way ticket dependent on vehicle size (from $1 - $28) Address: 1650 Ferry Road, Southport, NC . The last crossing for the Southport - Fort Fisher Ferry from the Southport terminal is 6:15 p.m. SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) The air is turning cooler and the kids are back in school, and that means it's time for the NC Department of Transportation's Southport-Fort Fisher routes to make .