Donal C. O'Brien Sanctuary and Audubon Center at Pine Island

Discover the Outer Banks as they used to be...

Winter Sunset over Pine Island Photo: Robbie Fearn

Preserving the Past, Managing the Present, Improving the Future

Tucked away on a small  road, the Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Sanctuary in Corolla is one of the last pieces of untouched property on the northeastern portion of the Outer Banks, preserving 2,600 acres of marsh, upland maritime forest and sandy beaches, as well as the historical beauty of the Outer Banks. The Sanctuary remains  largely free from development, so birds and wildlife can continue to have a safe place to thrive free from human disturbance. A 60 acres education campus, surrounding a historic 1913 hunt club hosts researchers, adult education participants, and conservation leaders striving to ensure a brighter future for birds and other wildlife. The public also enjoys the property through Kayak tours, public programs and a 2.5 mile nature trail.

Go Behind-the-Scenes

Visit Our Nature Trail
Plan Your Visit

Visit Our Nature Trail

Visitors are encouraged to explore the nearby 2.5-mile Nature Trail, sign up for a kayak trip in Currituck Sound, or make a reservation for your group to tour the sanctuary.

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Audubon Sanctuary Kayak Trips
Visit

Audubon Sanctuary Kayak Trips

One of the best ways to explore Audubon's Pine Island Sanctuary is by water.

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Pristine Sanctuary for Birds
Plan Your Visit

Pristine Sanctuary for Birds

With its extensive marshes, waterways and diversity of upland and maritime forest, the 2,600 acres of preserved land contribute to major environmental and wildlife conservation efforts for the health of our birds, wildlife and local community. 

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Sanctuary Management
Sanctuary Management

Sanctuary Management

Balancing conservation, education, research, habitat improvement and traditional hunting grounds

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A Peek behind the Gates
Visit

A Peek behind the Gates

Learn about how Audubon is creating a world class conservation research and education campus

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Biodiversity Abounds
Natural History

Biodiversity Abounds

Audubon’s Sanctuary in Corolla is host to hundreds of individual species and more are being identified and recorded regularly.

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News from NC Audubon

360 Degrees of Adventure at Audubon NC’s Pine Island Sanctuary
Natural History

360 Degrees of Adventure at Audubon NC’s Pine Island Sanctuary

Click up! Click down! Click all around! Take this special behind-the-scenes tour of Audubon NC's Pine Island Sanctuary.

Climate
Conservation

Climate

Climate change is the leading threat to birds.

Other things to do Nearby
Visit

Other things to do Nearby

Explore the Outer and Inner Banks

Sharing our Seas and Shores
Conservation

Sharing our Seas and Shores

Full life-cycle conservation on a landscape scale

Conserving Currituck Sound for Future Generations
Conservation

Audubon's plan for an enduring landscape

Audubon's plans for an enduring landscape

A Peek behind the Gates
Visit

A Peek behind the Gates

Learn about how Audubon is creating a world class conservation research and education campus

Staff
About

Staff

Local Staff, Statewide and National Support

How you can help, right now