Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

This federal wildlife refuge spans approximately 13 miles along the northern coast of Hatteras Island, encompassing over 5,800 acres of diverse coastal habitats including salt marshes, brackish ponds, high sand dunes, and Atlantic Ocean beaches that support hundreds of bird species and other wildlife throughout the year.

Established in 1938 as part of early conservation efforts, the refuge was created to protect this barrier island ecosystem from development and provide a sanctuary for migratory birds, transforming an area that was previously popular for waterfowl hunting into a protected habitat along the Atlantic Flyway migration route.

The refuge serves as an important educational and research center where scientists study coastal ecosystems and climate change impacts, while offering interpretive programs, guided bird walks, and annual events like the Wings Over Water festival that foster environmental awareness and stewardship among visitors and local communities.

Visitors can access the refuge via North Carolina Highway 12, with a visitor center providing educational exhibits, telescopes for wildlife observation, and information about current sightings, while multiple trails including the North Pond Wildlife Trail offer opportunities for birdwatching, photography, and exploration of the diverse coastal habitats.

The refuge protects critical nesting sites for endangered loggerhead sea turtles and serves as a vital stopover point for over 370 bird species during their seasonal migrations, including rare sightings of tundra swans, snow geese, and peregrine falcons that depend on these coastal wetlands for survival.