Welcome to Wolf Island NWR

Credit: Debra Barnard-Keinath, USFWS

Wolf Island NWR, which includes Egg Island and Little Egg Island, was established on April 3, 1930 as a migratory bird sanctuary. The refuge consists of a long narrow strip of oceanfront beach backed by a broad band of salt marsh. Over 75% of the refuge's 5,126 acres are composed of saltwater marshes. It is located in McIntosh County, Georgia, 12 miles east of Darien (by boat).

Wolf Island was designated a National Wilderness Area in 1975, therefore no public use facilities exist or are planned on the refuge. Though the refuge's saltwaters are open to a variety of recreational activities, all beach, marsh, and upland areas are closed to the public. Visitors must make their own arrangements to reach the refuge. Marinas in the Darien, Georgia area may offer transportation to the refuge.

Wolf Island NWR is one of seven refuges administered by the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex. This chain of national wildlife refuges extends from Pinckney Island NWR near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, to Wolf Island NWR near Darien, Georgia.  Between these lie Savannah (the largest unit in the complex), Wassaw, Tybee, Harris Neck, and Blackbeard Island refuges.  Together they span a 100-mile coastline and total over 56,000 acres.  The Savannah Coastal Refuges are administered from headquarters located in Savannah, Georgia.

Getting There . . .

Wolf Island NWR is located approximately 12 miles off the coast of Darien, Georgia in McIntosh County. Due to the limited amount of uplands the refuge is closed to allow wildlife to use these areas undisturbed. Visitors must make their own arrangements to reach the saltwater areas of the refuge. Marinas in the Darien, Georgia area may offer such transportation.