Masonboro Island facts for kids
Masonboro Island as seen from the mainland
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Masonboro Township / Federal Point Township, New Hanover County |
| Coordinates | 34°07′32″N 77°51′29″W / 34.12556°N 77.85806°W |
| Area | 0.721 km2 (0.278 sq mi) |
| Highest point | |
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United States
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| State | North Carolina |
Masonboro Island is a special barrier island located in New Hanover County, North Carolina. Imagine a long, narrow island that protects the mainland from ocean storms! That's what a barrier island does. This island is completely undeveloped, meaning there are no buildings or roads. You can only reach it by boat, which makes it a truly wild and natural place.
It's part of the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve, which is a fancy name for a protected area where rivers meet the sea. It's also a North Carolina State Natural Area. This means it's kept safe for nature and for people to enjoy responsibly. Masonboro Island sits south of Wrightsville Beach and north of Carolina Beach. Two water passages, called inlets, separate it from these towns.
Exploring Masonboro Island
Masonboro Island is a mix of different natural habitats. You'll find marshes, which are wet, grassy areas, and sandy dunes that are shaped by the wind. There are also tidal flats, which are muddy or sandy areas uncovered at low tide. Along its Atlantic coastline, you'll discover beautiful beaches.
On the side facing Masonboro Sound, which is part of the Intracoastal Waterway, there's a chain of small hills and wetland islands. This variety of landscapes makes Masonboro Island a fantastic place for many different plants and animals to live. It's a popular spot for boating, surfing, and camping if you love the outdoors.
Amazing Wildlife on the Island
The beaches of Masonboro Island are very important for sea turtles. They are a nesting ground for loggerhead and green sea turtles. These amazing creatures come ashore to lay their eggs in the sand. It's a critical place for their reproduction and the survival of their species.
The waters on the sound side of the island act like a nursery for many young fish. You can find baby spot, mullet, flounder, and pompano growing up here. This makes the island's waters a vital part of the ocean's ecosystem, helping to keep fish populations healthy.
