Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge

Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge
Cape Romain NWR extends 22 miles along South Carolina's Atlantic coast and encompasses 66,267 acres of barrier islands, salt marshes, intricate coastal waterways, long sandy beaches, fresh and brackish water impoundments, and maritime forest. Established in 1932 as a migratory bird refuge, original objectives were to preserve habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds and resident species. In recent years the refuge mission has expanded to include endangered species recovery, protecting and managing the 28,000 acre Class I Wilderness Area, and preserving the Bulls Island and Cape Island forests and plant communities.

Currently, the refuge is actively working to aid the recovery of the threatened Loggerhead Sea Turtle, a frequent summertime visitor to the refuge's beaches. Points of interest include Bulls Island and Cape Island, where Loggerhead Sea Turtles lay their eggs and shorebirds nest on the refuge. Lighthouse Island's two lighthouses (no longer operational) still stand as historic sentinels of days gone by.