Who owns masonboro island

Skip to content. About Us. Meet the News Team. Previous Newscasts. WECT Anywhere. WECT Jobs. GenX Water Investigation. First Alert Skycams. First Alert Hurricane Center. Friday Night Football. Event Calendar. Cape Fear Weekend. Masonboro Island is the largest undisturbed barrier island along the southern part of the North Carolina coast and is located approximately five miles southeast of Wilmington, in the most populous part of the North Carolina coast.

Eighty-seven percent of the 8. The remaining portions are composed of beach uplands and dredge material islands. Masonboro Island is an essentially pristine barrier island and estuarine system. The various salinity patterns found in the extensive subtidal and intertidal areas along the sound side of the island support a myriad of estuarine species. The habitats found within this site include subtidal soft bottoms, tidal flats, hard surfaces, salt marshes, shrub thicket, maritime forest, dredge spoil areas, grasslands, ocean beach, and sand dunes.

Loggerhead and green sea turtles nest on the beaches, where seabeach amaranth plants grow on the foredunes. All of these species are listed as threatened by the Federal Government. The rich Masonboro Sound waters on the western side of the island also serve as an essential nursery site for a wide range of popular local catches including spot, mullet, pompano, menhaden, flounder, and bluefish.

As a result of this isolated and wild environment, visitors will be treated to a myriad of natural activities as well as some of the most scenic shorelines in the Cape Fear area.

The tricky part about enjoying Masonboro Island Estuarine Reserve is getting there, but visitors will find a handful of options for reaching and enjoying this isolated barrier island. Masonboro Island Estuarine Reserve can only be reached by boat, and private boat owners smaller vessels recommended and kayakers can anchor or land on the beaches of the north or south sides of the island. Public boat launches are found in both Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach for visitors who want to cruise to the island.

Contact individual charter or tour businesses, or local marinas in your vacation community, for additional options. Once on the island, visitors will find a wide array of ways to enjoy the incredibly remote and beautiful scene.

Shelling - Masonboro Island is renowned as one of the best shelling destinations in the Cape Fear region, thanks to ample tidal flats or pools as well as its inherent isolated nature.

Shell seekers will want to patrol the beaches around low tide to look for whelks, olive shells, moon snails, and even the rare Scotch Bonnets which periodically wash ashore. Inshore charter trips are also available of the surrounding waters, and visitors who are commandeering their own fishing expedition will want to ensure they have a saltwater fishing license in hand before casting a line. Birdwatching — Birdwatching is exceptional at this remote island destination, and wildlife fans will find a myriad of different species in every direction.

Kayaking — The western borders of Masonboro Island are a dream for paddlers, thanks to a network of salty channels that are on the borders of the heavily used Intracoastal Waterway, and which provide miles of wildlife watching and stunning scenery. Try to plan a trip close to high tide to ensure plenty of watery paths that are deep enough to paddle through, and watch for water moccasins and other local residents that frequent the area waters as well.

Beaching - The beaches of Masonboro Island are simply stunning, and are ideal for swimming, surf fishing, splashing, surfing, and just enjoying miles of room to roam. Visitors should note that there are no lifeguards on the island, and very few other people , and should proceed with caution as needed. Hiking — A small network of trails wind from the north and south sides of the island to the beaches, which present a nice slice of the local habitats that are found within the Masonboro Island Reserve.

In addition, beach fans can walk the entire 8. Use caution on the western edge of the island, as the tidal pools and salt marshes are tricky and deceptively soft terrain.

Camping — Rustic camping is allowed on Masonboro Island! Visitors should note that the facilities are severely limited, with no public restrooms, amenities, power, etc. There are also strict regulations regarding litter, personal items, campfires, wildlife, pets, etc.

Masonboro Island may be difficult to reach, but for beach purists, the fact that this island is somewhat inaccessible makes it a true gem along the Cape Fear coastline. With beautiful beaches, great shelling, and a fascinating array of varying habitats, Masonboro Island is a true treasure for Cape Fear area visitors who like their seashore expeditions to be a little on the wild side.