How do you get to Bald Head Island?

By passenger ferry from Deep Point Marina in Southport, NC, a crossing of about 20 minutes. Boats leave hourly in the morning and evening and about every 90 minutes at midday, from 7 am (6 am on weekends) until 10 pm from April to October and 9 pm from November to March, with later last boats on Fridays and Saturdays. Visitors leave their cars in the marina parking lot.

Can you bring a car to Bald Head Island?

No. The passenger ferry does not carry cars, and visitors get around by golf cart, bicycle, tram, and on foot. You will occasionally see permitted contractor vehicles working on the island.

How much is the Bald Head Island ferry?

Round trip is $23 for adults and $12 for children 3 to 12; children 2 and under ride free but still need a ticket. Parking at Deep Point Marina is $13 a day in the General Lot. Fares change; confirm current pricing with Bald Head Island Transportation.

What are the ferry baggage rules?

Three checked items per ticketed passenger. Extra items, items over 50 pounds or 50 quarts, and bikes or kayaks cost extra. Leaving the island, have your bags ready for the tram 45 minutes before your ferry.

Can you visit Bald Head Island for the day?

Yes. Park at Deep Point Marina, buy a $23 round-trip ticket, and ride over; boats run every day. Old Baldy Lighthouse is about a five-minute walk from the island landing, and golf carts and bikes rent by the day near the ferry.

Old Baldy lighthouse framed by the ferry railing and a life ring, seen from aboard

Getting here

No bridge, no traffic, no shortcut: everyone arrives by water, and that's the point.

From your car to the island, step by step

Book the ferry (and the tram)
Reserve round-trip ferry tickets through the operator's app or website as soon as your trip is set. Beyond the block of standing reservations, each departure has only about 50 seats left, with no guarantee your preferred time will have room, so the earlier you book the better. Add the tram to your rental address in the same booking; tram service to the island and back is included in the ferry fare.
Drive to Deep Point Marina
1301 Ferry Road, Southport, NC. Park at the marina and leave your car; you will not need it on the island.
Drop your bags at the terminal, 45 minutes out
Unload everything at the terminal and hand it to the crew, who load it into numbered luggage carts. You get three items per passenger, so large bins move the most per item; the black-and-yellow totes from a hardware store are ideal. Tag every piece with your island address and your booked ferry times, and note which numbered cart your things go into.
Be at the lower level before boarding
Boarding is casual, but the ferry leaves on time. If you have a reservation, be in line at least 15 minutes before departure.
Cross the river mouth
The crossing is short and pretty; watch for wildlife in the ship channel.
Step off and get your tram number
At the island landing, follow the line to the podium, where an attendant tells you which tram is yours. The luggage carts are lined up nearby with their doors open; find your things, carry them to your tram, and the driver loads them on. The driver helps, but getting your bags from the cart to the tram is on you.
Unload at your door
The tram carries your group and your bags to your rental and sets everything down at the foot of the driveway. Getting it up to the house from there is on you. The tram crew work hard at both ends; tipping them well is customary.

The ferry timetable

Since December 2024 the ferry has run a hybrid schedule: hourly in the morning and evening, and about every 90 minutes through the middle of the day. Here are both seasons, copied from the operator's posted timetables. Extra boats run at peak times and holidays can change things, so check the operator's site before you travel.

Summer timetableApril 1 to October 31In effect nowShow

Leaving Deep Point (mainland)

Mon to Thu

7:00 am
8:00 am
9:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 pm
1:30 pm
3:00 pm
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
9:00 pm
10:00 pm

Friday

7:00 am
8:00 am
9:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 pm
1:30 pm
3:00 pm
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
9:00 pm
10:30 pm

Saturday

6:00 am (no tram)
7:00 am
8:00 am
8:30 am
9:00 am
9:45 am
10:30 am
11:15 am
12:00 pm
12:45 pm
1:30 pm
2:15 pm
3:00 pm
3:45 pm
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
9:00 pm
10:30 pm

Sunday

6:00 am (no tram)
7:00 am
8:00 am
8:30 am
9:00 am
9:45 am
10:30 am
11:15 am
12:00 pm
12:45 pm
1:30 pm
2:15 pm
3:00 pm
3:45 pm
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
9:00 pm
10:00 pm

Leaving the island

Mon to Thu

7:30 am
8:30 am
9:45 am
11:15 am
12:45 pm
2:15 pm
3:45 pm
5:15 pm
6:30 pm
7:30 pm
8:30 pm
9:30 pm
11:00 pm

Friday

7:30 am
8:30 am
9:45 am
11:15 am
12:45 pm
2:15 pm
3:45 pm
5:15 pm
6:30 pm
7:30 pm
8:30 pm
10:00 pm
11:30 pm

Saturday

6:30 am (no tram)
7:30 am
8:30 am
9:00 am
9:45 am
10:30 am
11:15 am
12:00 pm
12:45 pm
1:30 pm
2:15 pm
3:00 pm
3:45 pm
4:30 pm
5:15 pm
6:30 pm
7:30 pm
8:30 pm
10:00 pm
11:30 pm

Sunday

6:30 am (no tram)
7:30 am
8:30 am
9:00 am
9:45 am
10:30 am
11:15 am
12:00 pm
12:45 pm
1:30 pm
2:15 pm
3:00 pm
3:45 pm
4:30 pm
5:15 pm
6:30 pm
7:30 pm
8:30 pm
9:30 pm
11:00 pm

* No tram on the 6 am and 6:30 am weekend boats. Blue times are extra boats that run Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Winter timetableNovember 1 to March 31Show

Leaving Deep Point (mainland)

Mon to Thu

7:00 am
8:00 am
9:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 pm
1:30 pm
3:00 pm
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
9:00 pm

Friday

7:00 am
8:00 am
9:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 pm
1:30 pm
3:00 pm
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
9:30 pm

Saturday

6:00 am (no tram)
7:00 am
8:00 am
9:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 pm
1:30 pm
3:00 pm
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
9:30 pm

Sunday

6:00 am (no tram)
7:00 am
8:00 am
9:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 pm
1:30 pm
3:00 pm
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
9:00 pm

Leaving the island

Mon to Thu

7:30 am
8:30 am
9:45 am
11:15 am
12:45 pm
2:15 pm
3:45 pm
5:15 pm
6:30 pm
7:30 pm
8:30 pm
10:00 pm

Friday

7:30 am
8:30 am
9:45 am
11:15 am
12:45 pm
2:15 pm
3:45 pm
5:15 pm
6:30 pm
7:30 pm
8:30 pm
10:30 pm

Saturday

6:30 am (no tram)
7:30 am
8:30 am
9:45 am
11:15 am
12:45 pm
2:15 pm
3:45 pm
5:15 pm
6:30 pm
7:30 pm
8:30 pm
10:30 pm

Sunday

6:30 am (no tram)
7:30 am
8:30 am
9:45 am
11:15 am
12:45 pm
2:15 pm
3:45 pm
5:15 pm
6:30 pm
7:30 pm
8:30 pm
10:00 pm

* No tram on the 6 am and 6:30 am weekend boats.

Just coming over for the day? Here's how a day trip works.

Passenger ferry

Almost every visitor arrives on the passenger ferry from Deep Point Marina in Southport, a crossing of about 20 minutes. Cars stay in the marina lot on the mainland.

Departs mainland: Deep Point Marina, 1301 Ferry Rd SE, Southport, NC
How often: Hourly in the morning and evening, about every 90 minutes at midday
First boats: 7 am from Deep Point and 7:30 am from the island (6 am and 6:30 am on Saturday and Sunday)
Last from the mainland: 10 pm April to October, 9 pm November to March; 30 minutes later on Fridays and Saturdays
Last from the island: 11 pm April to October, 10 pm November to March; 30 minutes later on Fridays and Saturdays
Round trip fare: $23 adult, $12 ages 3 to 12; 2 and under ride free but need a ticket
Baggage: 3 checked items per passenger; extra items, items over 50 lbs or 50 quarts, and bikes or kayaks cost extra
Tickets: Online, in the Bald Head Island Ferry app, or at the ticket window
Phone (Deep Point): (910) 457-5003

Arrive at the Deep Point lower level at least 40 minutes before your ferry.
The 6 am and 6:30 am weekend boats don't carry the tram.
From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, extra Saturday and Sunday boats run at midday.
Pets ride on the outside decks.
Fares and schedules change, and extra boats run at peak times. Confirm current details with the operator before you travel.

Facts last verified October 9, 2026. Details change;confirm with Bald Head Island Transportationor call (910) 457-5003.

Mainland parking

Your car stays at Deep Point Marina in Southport, steps from the ferry terminal. The General Lot runs $13 a day.

General Lot: $13 per day
Contractor Lot: $11 per day
Annual passes (2026): General $1,260; Premium $1,540
Lost ticket: $182, so keep your parking ticket safe
EV charging: Four chargers in the lots

Rates change; confirm current pricing with the operator before you travel.

Facts last verified October 9, 2026. Details change;confirm with Bald Head Island Parkingor call (910) 457-7289.

Island tram

A tram meets the ferry and carries you and your bags to your rental and back. It comes with the general round-trip fare; reserve it when you book the ferry.

Cost: Included with the general round-trip fare (not with one-way, No-Frills, or contractor tickets)
Reservations: Add it to your ferry booking; make changes at least 2 hours before the new time
Arriving: Be at the Deep Point lower level at least 40 minutes before your ferry
Leaving: Have your bags ready 45 minutes before your ferry; the tram arrives 25 to 45 minutes ahead
Not on: The 6 am and 6:30 am Saturday and Sunday boats