Wassaw, one of Georgia's coastal barrier islands, was designated a National
Wildlife Refuge on October 20, 1969. Unlike many of Georgia's Golden Isles,
little development and few management practices have modified Wassaw's
primitive character. The 10,053-acre refuge includes beaches with rolling
dunes, live oak and slash pine woodlands, and vast salt marshes.

<p>Wassaw, one of Georgia's coastal barrier islands, was designated a National Wildlife Refuge on October 20, 1969. Unlike many of Georgia's Golden Isles, little development and few management practices have modified Wassaw's primitive character. The 10,053-acre refuge includes beaches with rolling dunes, live oak and slash pine woodlands, and vast salt marshes.</p>

Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge, GA

Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge

Gray Reef’s National Marine Sanctuary is an ocean park that protects a
beautiful hard-bottom area that is one of the largest nearshore sandstone
reefs in the southeastern United States. This sanctuary is the home to an
abundance of marine life such as crabs, sponges, sea stars, and soft corals.
Below the Atlantic Ocean’s surface, the rocky platform is wreathed in a carpet
of attached organisms, known locally as a "live-bottom habitat." The sanctuary
provides year-round opportunities for sport fishing, recreational diving, and
boating. The research area within the sanctuary hosts one of the only
designated no-take zones in the region. To learn more about this sanctuary,
visitors should stop by the Gray’s Reef Ocean Discovery Center.

Gray Reef’s National Marine Sanctuary is an ocean park that protects a beautiful hard-bottom area that is one of the largest nearshore sandstone reefs in the southeastern United States. This sanctuary is the home to an abundance of marine life such as crabs, sponges, sea stars, and soft corals. Below the Atlantic Ocean’s surface, the rocky platform is wreathed in a carpet of attached organisms, known locally as a "live-bottom habitat." The sanctuary provides year-round opportunities for sport fishing, recreational diving, and boating. The research area within the sanctuary hosts one of the only designated no-take zones in the region. To learn more about this sanctuary, visitors should stop by the Gray’s Reef Ocean Discovery Center.

A diver among sponges in Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary

Scamp cruising over Live Bottom

Sea star and urchin hanging out in Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary

For much of the 19th century, masonry fortifications were the United States’
main defense against overseas enemies. However, during the Civil War, new
technology proved its superiority over these forts. Using rifled cannons, the
U.S. Army compelled the Confederate garrison inside Fort Pulaski to surrender.
The siege was a landmark experiment in the history of military science and
invention.

For much of the 19th century, masonry fortifications were the United States’ main defense against overseas enemies. However, during the Civil War, new technology proved its superiority over these forts. Using rifled cannons, the U.S. Army compelled the Confederate garrison inside Fort Pulaski to surrender. The siege was a landmark experiment in the history of military science and invention.

Fort Pulaski National Monument

Fort Pulaski shows off its classic arched architecture and cannon.

The Casemates of a Fort

Volunteer living historians play an important role for the National Park Service and Fort Pulaski National Monument.

The Ladies of a Fort

A great blue heron stands on the top of Fort Pulaski like a lonely sentinel.

The Sentinel

A walk along the outside of Fort Pulaski reveals damaged walls over 150 years after the Civil War.

The Battered Walls of Fort Pulaski

The Cockspur Island Lighthouse still stands guard over the south channel of the Savannah River and Fort Pulaski.

The Cockspur Island Lighthouse

Tybee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established on May 9, 1938, by
Executive Order No. 7882, as a breeding area for migratory birds and other
wildlife, and to "effectuate further the purposes of the Migratory Bird
Conservation Act." The majority of the refuge is covered with sand deposits
from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' dredging activities in the Savannah
River. The more stable portions of the island are densely covered with such
woody species as eastern red cedar, wax myrtle, and groundsel. Saltwater marsh
borders parts of the island, and at low tide, the shoreline provides a
resting, nesting, and feeding place for many species of migratory birds.
Protecting and providing habitat for nesting shorebirds is the primary
management objective of the refuge.

<p>Tybee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established on May 9, 1938, by Executive Order No. 7882, as a breeding area for migratory birds and other wildlife, and to "effectuate further the purposes of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act."  The majority of the refuge is covered with sand deposits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' dredging activities in the Savannah River. The more stable portions of the island are densely covered with such woody species as eastern red cedar, wax myrtle, and groundsel. Saltwater marsh borders parts of the island, and at low tide, the shoreline provides a resting, nesting, and feeding place for many species of migratory birds. Protecting and providing habitat for nesting shorebirds is the primary management objective of the refuge. </p>

Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge

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Nearby Parks

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary

Fort Pulaski National Monument

Tybee National Wildlife Refuge