Knotts Island, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Currituck County, North Carolina
-National protected areas:*Currituck National Wildlife Refuge*Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge -Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 23,547 people, 6,902 households, and 5,204 families residing in the county. The population density was 70 people per square mile . There were...
. The community is located on a marshy island, bordered by the Currituck Sound
Currituck Sound
Currituck Sound is a protected inlet of the Atlantic Ocean in northeastern part of North Carolina. Thirty miles N-S and 3–8 miles wide, this shallow, island-filled sound is separated from the ocean by Bodie Island, part of the Outer Banks...
, North Landing River, Back Bay, and Knotts Island Bay. Knotts Island is home to Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge
Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge
Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1960 to provide habitat for migratory waterfowl, primarily the greater snow goose. Located between Back Bay in Virginia and the Currituck Sound in North Carolina, the refuge is primarily made up of marsh habitat...
. Knotts Island is only accessible over land from Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay...
using Princess Anne Road. The North Carolina Department of Transportation
North Carolina Department of Transportation
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is responsible for building, repairing, and operating highways, bridges, and other modes of transportation, including ferries in the U.S. state of North Carolina.-History:...
operates a free ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
between Knotts Island and Currituck
Currituck, North Carolina
Currituck is an unincorporated community in extreme northeastern North Carolina, USA. Situated along the Currituck Sound, it serves as the county seat for Currituck County. Currituck is part of the Inner Banks region and is one of the state's few unincorporated county seats. The community harbors...
on the mainland.
This island is noticeably a hunting and fishing leisure-type community. It has numerous duck hunting blinds located in the bay as well as on land. It is also home to the Swan Island Hunting Club located across the bay on Swan Island. This club is a guided duck hunting club. It is relatively popular and is a favorite winter travel destination to notable artist/painter Bob Timberlake, among others.
There are a select few businesses located on the island. Knotts Island Market is the only general store on the island and is a daily destination for numerous residents and travelers. There is a restaurant and bar, Bay Villa. It is commonly referred to as "Pearl's", in reference to the former owner. Bay Villa is the center for most of the island's watercraft launching due to the very popular boat ramp located adjacent to the main building. There are two popular wineries, Martin's Vineyard, not to be confused with Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard is an island located south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, known for being an affluent summer colony....
, and Moonrise Bay Vineyard. Both have wine tasting facilities and are located on Woodleigh Road.