Lea-Hutaff Island is an undisturbed barrier island off the coast of North Carolina. Barrier islands serve many purposes. They protect the mainland from hurricanes and storm surges, and they provide a unique environment for many species. This island is a low, narrow ribbon of sand.

When you step onto Lea-Hutaff Island, you might feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The island is near busy North Carolina beaches, but it doesn’t have any roads or hotels and is much like it was hundreds of years ago. Originally, the island was made up of two separate islands, but the inlet between them filled with sand and caused them to join. Today, Audubon biologists safeguard the birds and turtles on the entire island.

Birds such as the American oystercatcher and the least tern nest directly in the sand on the island’s beaches. During the summer, loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on the sandy shore. Their babies scurry to the ocean and one day they may return to make their own nests on the island. The open beach has few predators, increasing the chances of survival. The island also provides an important stopover for many migrating birds.

People reach Lea-Hutaff Island by boat. While they're there, they can play on the beaches, swim, fish, and surf. They can also watch the many different types of wildlife. But it’s important that visitors do not disturb nesting birds and sea turtles or trample vegetation. Lea-Hutaff Island’s “Share the Beach” campaign explains to people why it’s so important to protect beach habitats.