Located on the southernmost tip of North Carolina, Bald Head Island is a residential and resort community that can be reached only by passenger ferry. It is one of the National Marine Fisheries Service's "index beaches" and is nationally recognized for its sea turtle activity. Since 1983, the Bald Head Island Conservancy has coordinated and sponsored the island's Sea Turtle Protection Program. Most of the sea turtles that visit the island's beaches are Loggerheads, but some Atlantic Green sea turtles also come ashore to lay their eggs.
From early June through mid-August, families staying on Bald Head Island may join the Conservancy and assist their staff with their turtle protection efforts. Members can join a Conservancy naturalist and interns for an informative program and the chance to see sea turtles nesting and hatching in the wild. After gathering at 9 p.m. in the Conservancy Classroom for a 45 minute presentation, families accompany the staff to the beach to await word from the nightly beach patrol for directions to any nesting or hatching sites. Turtle walks are limited to 25 Conservancy members, so reservations should be made well in advance. For more information, call 910-457-5786 during the summer or 910-457-0089 prior to June 1. The Conservancy also offers a variety of nature activities for guests as well as a summer day camp for young children.
Bald Head Island is a wonderful destination for families, with its absence of cars and laid-back atmosphere. Here, you'll find 14 miles of ocean beaches, 10,000 acres of protected salt marshes and tidal creeks, charming vacation cottages, and a wide variety of family-friendly activities and amenities. For more information, call 800-515-1038 or visit the resort's website at Bald Head Island.
