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2022 Map of Wainwright Island

Name: 2022 Topographic Map of Wainwright Island
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2022
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2022

About this map

Cape Lookout National Seashore dominates this coastal landscape, protecting a dynamic stretch of the Outer Banks where the Atlantic Ocean meets the sheltered waters of Core Sound and Pamlico Sound. This barrier island environment is characterized by shifting sands and intricate tidal features, including Swash Inlet and Sand Island Inlet. The presence of Old House Beach and The Sands suggests areas of long-standing local significance along the Core Banks.

Scattered across the sounds are numerous small landforms such as Wainwright Island, Harbor Island, and the Pilontary Islands. The maritime geography is defined by narrow passages like The Passage and Wainwright Slue, essential for navigating these shallow waters. While primarily a natural landscape, the inclusion of Oyster Creek Pit and the NC Rd Back Road (Sand) North Core Banks indicates the limited human footprint and necessary infrastructure for traversing this maritime wilderness.