Even though fall has officially begun, the season ain't over yet.

With heavy demand continuing for the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry route, the N.C. Department of Transportation Ferry Division has decided to extend the summer season schedule an additional two weeks. 

The initial plan was to cut back from 36 to 26 daily trips each way on Sept. 22nd. Instead, the full schedule will continue through Oct. 6th. 

It’s believed the combination of great beach weather, the traditional lower vacation rental prices after Labor Day, and low gas prices have kept visitor numbers to the Outer Banks strong so far this month. 

Other schedule changes as summer winds down will remain in place:
  

• The Cedar Island-Ocracoke and Swan Quarter-Ocracoke routes began their off-season schedules earlier this week, featuring three round-trip departures daily on both routes. 
• The Southport-Fort Fisher route goes to its off-season schedule on Sept. 28, going from 16 weekday round trips to 14. Weekend schedules go from 15 to 13 daily departures from both sides. 
• The Hatteras-Ocracoke route is still scheduled to transition to its off-season winter schedule on Nov. 10.