Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge

Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge started in 1924 as an area to act as a preserve and breeding ground for wildlife and migratory birds to breed. In 1940 a presidential proclamation changed the Blackbeard Island Reservation to the Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge.

3000 acres of the refuge area has been set aside to be used at the National Wilderness with the primary objective to provide protection to migratory birds along with an area for wintering habitat. The area also provides protection for endangered and threatened species such as the loggerhead sea turtle, wood stork and piping plover. Other species that are regularly spotted at the refuge include songbirds, raptors deer and at various times alligators.

The island is only accessible by boat with transportation provided by the Fish and Wildlife Services. Visitors are able to bring their own watercraft or arrange for a trip or tour through local boat captains and marinas, along with authorized tour guides.

Camping is available on Blackbeard Island which is comprised of interconnecting linear dunes that are covered with oak and palmetto vegetation. Visitors can explore the acres of open freshwater and freshwater marsh, the 2,115 acres of maritime forest and over 300 acres of sandy beach.