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Bald Head Island Complex

Bald Head Map

LOCATION:
Coast
Brunswick County

SIZE IN ACRES:
11,193

INVOLVEMENT IN ACRES:
10,000


 Sand Dunes
Sand dunes on Bald Head Island (© TNC)
Loggerhead Turtle
Loggerhead turtle (© Merrill Lynch)

TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP:
Cape Fear, Kure Beach

Topographical maps are available by contacting:
NC Geographical Survey.
1612 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1612.
(919) 715-9718
www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/

ACTIVITIES & AMENITIES:
Hiking / Birding / Small Boats / Large Boats / Fee

OWNERSHIP & ACCESS:
For ferry tickets and marina use maps, contact:
Bald Head Island Management
Southport-Supply Road
Southport, NC 28461
(910) 457-5003

For sea turtle field trips, contact:
Bald Head Island Conservancy
P.O. Box 3109
Bald Head Island, NC 28461
Information Line: (910) 457-5786

SITE INFORMATION:
The Bald Head Island Complex is located directly south of Wilmington where the Cape Fear River empties into the Atlantic Ocean. This island network is comprised of Bald Head Island, Middle Island, Bluff Island, and East Beach. This group of islands is the only subtropical natural habitat in North Carolina and is home to cabbage palmetto and other more southerly species.

Rare loggerhead sea turtles nest on the beaches, while herons, egrets, and ibis breed on isolated islands and feed in the marshes. It is estimated that sea turtles have a one-in-10,000 chance of surviving to adulthood, as the hatchlings face many obstacles on their journey from the beach to the ocean, including predation by raccoons and crabs. Moonlight helps guide the hatchlings into the ocean, but on developed beaches, the tiny turtles can become confused by artificial lights and venture into the dunes instead of heading towards the sea. The Bald Head Island Conservancy is actively involved in protecting turtle nesting sites and educating visitors about the fragile ecosystems on the island. Boating and beach hiking are the easiest ways to see the various natural communities found on the island.

CONSERVATION HIGHLIGHTS:
When the island began to be developed in the 1970s, The Nature Conservancy helped protect roughly 10,000 acres here: 9,000 acres of marsh and 1,000 acres of uplands, primarily beach and dunes. In the 1990s, the North Carolina Chapter assisted the state in protecting the maritime forests on Bald Head Island. The N.C. Division of Coastal Management and N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation now manage this area in cooperation with the Bald Head Island Conservancy.

DIRECTIONS:
For a fee, you can take a private passenger ferry from Southport on the mainland to the island. The Cape Fear River and Fort Fisher landings provide private boat access. No cars are allowed on the island, so you can bring your bike or rent a golf cart on the island.