Wilmington
 

KOA at Wilmington
7415 Market St., Wilmington
(910) 686-7705, (888) 562-5699

Masonboro Island

Accessible only by boat, Masonboro Island is the last and largest undisturbed barrier island remaining on the southern North Carolina coast. It is the fourth component of the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve (see our Higher Education and Research chapter) and deservedly so. This migrating ribbon of sand and uphill terrain, about 8 miles in length, is immediately south of Wrightsville Beach and offers campers a secluded, primitive experience in the most pristine environment on the Cape Fear coast. It is also used by anglers, bird-watchers, the occasional hunter, students and surfers (who prefer the north end). Everything you'll need must be packed in, and everything you produce should be packed out — everything!

Ninety-seven percent of Masonboro Island remains under state ownership and will always be accessible to visitors. Of the reserve's more than 5,000 acres, about 4,400 acres are tidal marsh and mud flats, so most folks land at the extreme north or south ends, on or near the sandy beaches by the inlets. Pitch camp behind the dunes only and use a cook stove; there is little or no firewood so bringing your own is a good idea. While the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management hopes to limit its involvement with the island and preserve its traditional uses, it does prohibit polluting the island and camping on and in front of the dune ridge.

Wildlife is remarkable and fragile. During the warm months, Masonboro Island is one of the most successful nesting areas for loggerhead turtles, a threatened species. Piping plovers, also threatened, feed at the island in winter. Keep your eyes open for river otters in the marshes and, at low tide, raccoons. Gray foxes, cotton rats and tiny marsh rabbits all frequent the small maritime forest. The marshes, flats and creeks at low tide are excellent places to observe and photograph great blue and little blue herons, tricolor herons, snowy and great egrets, oyster catchers, clapper rails and many other flamboyant birds. Brown pelicans, various terns and gulls, American ospreys and shear waters all live on Masonboro, if not permanently then at least for some part of their lives. Endangered peregrine falcons are very occasional seasonal visitors.

We recommend plenty of sun protection and insect repellent, perhaps even mosquito netting in the warm months, and trash bags always. Keep in mind that some of the island is still privately owned, not only at the north end, but also throughout the island, and all of it is fragile.

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington's Center for Marine Science Research is conducting an ongoing survey of visitor impact on the island and a continuing study of environmental changes caused by hurricanes and other natural forces. Visitors' behavior and scientific scrutiny together will have some influence on whether Masonboro Island becomes severely restricted, so responsible usage is paramount. For more information about Masonboro Island, see the Islands section in our chapter on Attractions.