Masonboro Island is a barrier island in New Hanover County, North Carolina. Undeveloped and only accessible by boat, it's an ideal destination for boating, surfing, and camping. Masonboro Island is a mix of swamps, sand dunes, and tidal flats, with beaches along the Atlantic coast and a series of small hills and wetlands along the Masonboro Strait.

Figure Eight Island is a breakwater island in North Carolina, located just north of Wrightsville Beach, renowned as a luxury summer resort and popular tourist destination. The island boasts approximately 475 vacation homes and private residences, and thankfully, virtually nothing else. There are no commercial establishments on Figure Eight Island, including shopping malls, hotels, or restaurants.

Explore the Masonboro Island Preserve, which at 8.4 miles long is the longest pristine barrier island ecosystem in southern North Carolina. The preserve protects coastal habitats for research, education, and long-term management. You will witness pristine examples of barrier island, salt marsh, and tidal creek ecosystems. Birds, fish, invertebrates, and sea turtles use Masonboro Island as a habitat and foraging area.

North Carolina is a southeastern state in the United States known for its diverse geography, vibrant cities, rich history, and a wide range of cultural and recreational attractions. North Carolina's combination of natural beauty, historical significance, cultural vibrancy, and economic opportunities makes it a unique and attractive state to live in or visit. It had a population of 2,043,867 in 2020.

The North Carolina Aquarium gives you and your family the chance to explore this unique environment by touching stingrays, watching river otters play or looking a shark in the eye.

Fort Fisher was a Confederate fort during the American Civil War. It protected the vital trading routes of the port at Wilmington, North Carolina, from 1861 until its capture by the Union in 1865.