Raise your hand if your kid(s) likes collecting shells…
If yours is up, then Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is a must do. About 20 minutes South of Nags Head, Pea Island is just a little stop off on the way down to Cape Hatteras. There’s a gift shop, some disgusting restrooms (better than nothing?), a nature trail that is a one way out and back walk (bug spray is a MUST) and a beautiful stretch of beach on the other side of the dune that you could spend hours beachcombing at.
While on the trail, we spotted turtles, a deer and birds galore but the biting flies were torturous. And FYI, there is no shade on the walk, so if it’s blazing hot, it may not be super enjoyable. Lastly when it comes to practical info, there isn’t a foot wash station at Pea Island, so plan on doing the baby powder trick when you leave.
Some Pro Tips…
The best time to find treasures is right after a big storm, but you are guaranteed some awesome finds any time that you go. Rumor has it that this is a sea glass hot spot but you really have to have a trained eye to see it in the midst of all the shell fragments and rocks. Good luck!
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