The southernmost of North Carolina’s
cape islands, Bald Head Island is located at the confluence
of the Cape Fear River and Atlantic Ocean. A pleasant 20-minute
passenger ferry ride transports you from the ferry terminal
at Indigo Plantation and Marina in historic Southport, N.C.
to the harbour at Bald Head Island, a distance  of two nautical
miles. The Hammocks neighborhood is centrally located on
the island, just a few short minutes from the Bald Head
Island Club and the island’s South Beach.
Map Your Trip to Bald Head Island
By Land
Via Highway 17, Southport is 30 miles south of Wilmington,
N.C. and 60 miles north of Myrtle Beach, S.C. From points
west, Interstate 40 and Highway 74/76 link the region directly
with I-95.
Entering Southport on Route 211 (Howe Street), turn right
onto West 9th Street and continue to the ferry landing.
By Air
New Hanover International Airport in Wilmington, N.C., is
just 35 miles north of Southport, and the Myrtle Beach Jetport
is 60 miles south. Please consult your carrier or travel
agent for daily flight schedules.
Additionally, Brunswick County Airport/ Ocean Air Aviation,
Inc. is a public, non-commercial airport in the Southport
area. Please call (910) 457-6483 for more information.
Ground transportation to ferry terminal is available from Myrtle Beach, SC, and Wilmington, NC. Call Southern Hospitality at (800) 406-4949.
 Passenger Ferry Information
For most of the year, ferries leave the mainland on the
hour and the island on the half-hour, beginning at 8 a.m.
The winter schedule may be abbreviated, and the summer schedule
expanded.
Click here to download ferry schedule:
Winter Schedule (12/1 - 2/28)
Summer Schedule (3/1 - 11/30)
Current schedules are also posted at the ferry terminals,
or may be ascertained by calling the Indigo depot at (910)
457-5003.
Advance ferry reservations are required, and should be confirmed
three days in advance. Please arrive at the ferry terminal
at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
Round-trip tickets cost $15 for adults, $8 for children
ages 3-12. There is no charge for children age two and younger.
Tram service to your accommodations is included in the price.
A discounted "no-frills" ticket is available at
the Bald Head Island Marina for same-day round-trips that
originate on the island and require no baggage handling
or tram service.
Ferry Terminal Instructions
Departing the mainland
• For your convenience, drive to the ticketing office
and luggage depot before you park your car. Pick up your
reservation packet and ferry tickets inside the depot. Additional fees for bikes and other cargo
may apply.
• Outfitters will help you unload your luggage and
then place it in the luggage hold of the ferry. Make sure
each piece of luggage is properly tagged. Open bags of any
kind must be hand-carried.
• Park in lots B, C or D. Bring your parking ticket
with you. You will need to give it to the attendant in lot
B when you leave and get a punch code to open the gate.
A daily parking fee is charged.
• Give your ferry ticket to the boat crew and board.
Seating is available inside the cabin or on deck.
• Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway
and across the Cape Fear River.
Arriving on the island
• You will arrive in the Bald Head Island Marina,
the heart of Harbour Village.
• After disembarking, an outfitter will assign your
party to a tram.
• Load your luggage on the tram, which will take you
to your accommodations.
• Make departure ferry reservations early. Call 457-5006.
 By Sea
Bald Head Island Harbour, located near buoy #13 at the mouth
of the Cape Fear River, is accessible by boat from the Intracoastal
Waterway, Cape Fear River and Atlantic Ocean.
The full-service Bald Head Island Marina can accommodate
vessels up to 115 feet in length, with 8’ draft at
MLW. Winter-monthly and daily slip rates are available.
Click here for more information on Bald Head Island Marina,
home of the Bald Head Island Yacht Club.
Contact the dockmaster on VHF channel 16,
by phone (910) 457-7380 or email bhi-marina@bhisland.com.
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