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This picture is probably taken crossing Corey's Ditch on the way down Route 615 to Knott's Island.
Since this is a wildlife refuge, there are a variety of wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities including wildlife observation, wildlife interpretation, photography, environmental education, fishing and hunting.
Seasonal Closures
Most of the refuge is closed to public access from October 16 through March 14 to reduce disturbance to wintering waterfowl. Mackay Island Road from NC 615 to the Dike Gate, the Great Marsh Loop Trail, The Kuralt Trail Overlook, and the Marsh Causeway are open year round. In the spring, the refuge opens its trail system for visitors to view the huge variety of watebirds and songbirds.
A canoeing/boating access leads to 20 miles of canals used for bird watching, fishing and photography. The refuge has one auto tour route and two hiking and bicycling trails. Fishing is allowed in impoundments, canals, and other water areas, subject ot North Carolina fishing regulations.
We didn't stop to avail ourselves of this opportunity because we wasted so much time being lost earlier in the day.
Updated Mar 20, 2005
Address: P.O. Box 39, Knotts Island, NC 27950-0039
Phone: 252/429 3100
Website: http://library.fws.gov/Refuges/mackayisland.pdf
Food and Beverages?
* Food and drink vending machines are available on many ferries and at all ferry terminals. The Ferry Division does not offer any hot or sandwich type food.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
This is one of the North Carolina ferries, and it is free both for cars and for pedestrians. The trip takes about 45 minutes. The schedule is available from the NC DOT, and also on the website below.
The Ferry Division is able to accommodate any size car, trailer or RV that can operate on the highway
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Phone: 252.232.2683
Although we passed this man cycling along route 615, I can't imagine that many people actually get to Knotts Island this way. Most people must either drive a car or other motorized vehicle, or will take the ferry.
Written Mar 21, 2005
Helpfulness
The sign at the top of the steps warns to remain in the vehicle while the ferry loads and unloads.
The website warns that this ferry (the Currituck to Knotts Island ferry) will be closed from June through August 2005 so that the bridges and ramps on the mainland and island can be replaced.
Also the restrooms on the ferries are not handicapped accessible. This is because they are built to be water-tight with raised sills. I think handicapped accessible restrooms are available on shore.
For additional warnings, see the ferry travelogue.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
I should be obvious (but evidently is not) that one should keep one's feet on the deck and not sit on the rail of the ferry.
There are a large number of other warning signs on the ferry on various matters. More photos of these are in the travelogue.
Written Mar 20, 2005
We got really lost trying to get to Knotts Island from the Dismal Swamp Canal and South Mills. It should not have been so hard - there's only one road in, but we went around in circles to the extent that we went through Elizabeth City and then ended up back in the Virginia Beach area.
Written Mar 21, 2005
Favorite thing: We didn't get a chance to do much sightseeing here. There are some people who have winter homes here, and I understand that the area has a lot of ecological activity.
Fondest memory: We used to see this ferry from the ICW taking the middle and high school children to school. We could tell that's what it was, because we could see the school buses on the ferry when we looked with binoculars.
The elementary school on the island has the symbol of the Wood Duck.
Written Mar 20, 2005
Favorite thing: The schedule for the ferry is posted on the fence. There is also a sign about handicapped restrooms, but I can't read it.
The ferry has been shut down for repairs to the dock (pictured) in the summer of 2005. Without the ferry running , residents and visitors to Knotts Island will have to travel overland through Virginia on N.C. 615. According to the Virginia Pilot newspaper, the Knotts Island community has grown by about 2,000 residents in the past 20 years, and about 2,000 vehicles per day travel N.C. 615.
Fondest memory: North Carolina has a good number of ferry boats run by the state highway department. This particular one is free and crosses Currituck Sound between Knotts Island, N.C. and Currituck, N.C. On a nice day, it is pleasant hour or so drive south of Virginia Beach, VA. This was the first ferry we took on our trip. The crossing takes 45 minutes
Written Mar 20, 2005
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