Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1938 to provide nesting, resting, and wintering habitat for migratory birds, including the greater snow geese and other migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, raptors, and neotropical migrants; to provide habitat and protection for endangered and threatened species, such as loggerhead sea turtles; and to provide opportunities for public enjoyment of wildlife and wildlands resources. The refuge is located on the north end of Hatteras Island, a coastal barrier island and part of a chain of islands known as the Outer Banks, and includes beach, dunes, brackish ponds, and marshes. The bird list for Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge boasts over 370 species.
A small tern with two eggs on a beach
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Bird and Turtle Closures

Throughout the summer, refuge staff close particular areas of the refuge to protect sensitive nesting sea turtles and birds. Please respect all signage, stay out of closure areas, and keep your distance from nesting bird colonies. Leashed pets are allowed on the beach except for any closed areas, including the area indicated on the map near Oregon Inlet. Pets are not allowed on the west side of Highway 12 except for parking areas.

The most recent Bird and Turtle Closure Map can be found here.

Latest News

Long-billed blue and purple-necked bird on stilted legs stands in blue shallow water
Foraging Shallow Waters
A Little Blue Heron hunts for food in shallow water along the edge of Pamlico Sound on Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge.
3 white, yellow, brown & black pelicans stand next to the water
Three Brown Pelicans
Pictured are three brown pelicans on Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Standing along the ocean shore you'll often see long lines of brown pelicans riding the air current just above the top of the wave line.
Brown pelicans and gulls stand calmly on sandy shore next to a raging Atlantic Ocean
Study in Contrasts
You may be used to seeing a long single file line of brown pelicans skimming nimbly in the air above a line of breaking waves or floating and bobbing on the ocean's surface, or even diving from heights straight into the water to catch a fish.
Brown waterfowl on surface of water with large white/brown fish in its bill and throat
Hooded Merganser
A female Hooded Merganser has a mouthful of striped mullet.
Brown and cream colored bird stands in a bush of red berries
Black-crowned Night Heron
The pictured Black-crowned night heron was photographed on Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Most active at night (thus their name) they normally search wetlands for food beginning at dusk through the night until dawn. But occasionally night herons are active during the day. Main meals are...
Large white pelican floats on blue water in front of a raft of redhead ducks
Red, White & Blue - Patriotic Medley
Large white pelican floats on blue water in front of a raft of redhead ducks.
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Visit Us

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is a tiny piece of barrier island on the Outer Banks of North Carolina... small in size, but huge in popularity among both wildlife and people! Pea Island offers visitors the opportunity to experience spectacular flocks of ducks, swans, and other waterfowl, and explore dynamic beaches and dunes. Visitors can stop by the Visitor Center, hike one of the refuge trails, dip a fishing line in the surf or the sound, or relax by the beach.

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Things to Do

Location and Contact Information

      Our Species

      Bald eagle up close with wing raised

      A large raptor, the bald eagle has a wingspread of about seven feet. Adults have a dark brown body and wings, white head and tail, and a yellow beak. Juveniles are mostly brown with white mottling on the body, tail, and undersides of wings. Adult plumage usually is obtained by the sixth year. In...

      FWS Focus
      Species
      Kingdom
      Animalia
      Taxonomic Rank
      Species
      California least tern flying. A plain, dark blue sky in the background.

      Least terns are the smallest member of the gull and tern family. They are approximately 9" in length. Unlike gulls, terns will dive into the water for small fish. The body of least terns is predominately gray and white, with black streaking on the head. Least terns have a forked tail and narrow...

      Species
      Kingdom
      Animalia
      Taxonomic Rank
      Species
      A large sea turtle swimming along a reef

      Loggerheads were named for their relatively large heads, which support powerful jaws and enable them to feed on hard-shelled prey, such as whelks and conch. The carapace (top shell) is slightly heart-shaped and reddish-brown in adults and sub-adults, while the plastron (bottom shell) is...

      FWS Focus
      Species
      Kingdom
      Animalia
      Taxonomic Rank
      Species

      Our Library

      Tearsheet Map Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
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      Tearsheet Map Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
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      Bird and Turtle Closures at Pea Island NWR
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      Bird and Turtle Closures at Pea Island NWR

      This map shows areas temporarily closed to provide critical nesting habitat for shorebirds and turtles. Throughout the summer, refuge staff close particular areas of the refuge to protect sensitive nesting sea turtles and birds. Please respect all signage, stay out of the closure areas, and keep...

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