Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry
The Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry is a route run by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Ferry Division between Southport in Brunswick County and Fort Fisher, North Carolina. Since March 31, 2026, weekday service has 16 departures from each side, from 5:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. from Southport, according to WECT's report on the NCDOT schedule. In June 2026, NCDOT warned that service could be cut from July 1 without more state funding, and no routes had been named, so check before you go.
Should you go to Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry today?
Go, but check conditions first
- Breezy, up to 14 mph.
- Dry daytime forecast.
- Mon 19Light wind, up to 10 mph
- Tue 20Light wind, up to 5 mph
- Wed 21Light wind, up to 5 mph
- Thu 22Light wind, up to 2 mph
- Fri 23Light wind, up to 6 mph
Weather at Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry, today
| Time | Sky | Temp | Wind | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 am | Sunny | 43°F | NNE 9 mph | 0% |
| 10 am | Sunny | 50°F | NE 13 mph | 0% |
| 12 pm | Sunny | 56°F | NE 14 mph | 0% |
| 2 pm | Sunny | 60°F | NE 12 mph | 0% |
| 4 pm | Sunny | 62°F | NE 12 mph | 0% |
| 6 pm | Clear | 60°F | NE 9 mph | 0% |
Daylight
| Sunrise | 7:35 am |
|---|---|
| Sunset | 6:49 pm |
| Question visitors ask | Southport to Fort Fisher ferry schedule and wait time? |
|---|---|
| County | Brunswick County |
| Official site | www.ncdot.gov |
What are the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry weekday departure times?
From Southport, the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry has 16 weekday departures starting March 31, 2026: 5:30 a.m., 7 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 4 p.m., 4:45 p.m., and 6:15 p.m.
From Fort Fisher, the weekday departures are 6:15 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 4 p.m., 4:45 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 7 p.m. The WECT article says weekend schedules on this route did not change, but it does not list the weekend times. Check the NCDOT Ferry Division schedule before you go.
Could the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry run fewer trips this summer?
NCDOT's Ferry Division said in June 2026 that rising fuel prices have created a budget shortfall. The division says it needs $3.8 million in extra state funding to run its full schedule, and it has asked the General Assembly for the money. Without it, NCDOT said service could be cut as early as July 1, but it did not say which routes would be affected and said no decisions on schedule changes had been made.
The route between Southport and Fort Fisher serves hundreds of thousands of people each year, according to the WECT report. The newest source for this guide is dated June 9, 2026, so check NCDOT before you go to confirm the current schedule.
Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry: questions visitors ask
How many departures does the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry have on weekdays?
The Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry has 16 weekday departures from Southport and 16 from Fort Fisher, starting March 31, 2026. The route total rose from 28 to 32 weekday departures in that update.
How long is the wait for the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry?
The sources for this guide do not give the crossing time or the wait for a boat. Check with the NCDOT Ferry Division before you go.
Does the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry run on weekends?
The WECT report says the weekend schedule on the Southport-Fort Fisher route did not change in the March 31, 2026 update. The article does not list the weekend departure times, so check NCDOT for those.
Who runs the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry?
The North Carolina Department of Transportation Ferry Division runs the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry. The division reported a fuel-cost shortfall in June 2026.
Could the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry service be cut because of fuel costs?
NCDOT said in June 2026 that service could be reduced as early as July 1 without $3.8 million in additional state funding. NCDOT said no decisions on schedule changes had been made and did not name the routes that could be affected.
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