Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve

Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve
Marsh in the reserve
Map showing the location of Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve
Map showing the location of Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve
Map of Georgia
Map showing the location of Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve
Map showing the location of Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve
Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve (the United States)
LocationSapelo Island, Georgia, United States
Coordinates31°27′06″N 81°17′17″W / 31.4518°N 81.288°W / 31.4518; -81.288
Area6,110 acres (2,470 ha)
Established1976
nerrs.noaa.gov/Reserve.aspx?ResID=SAP
Map
Bottlenose dolphins
Dolphin researchers at the reserve

The Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve is a 6,110-acre (2,470 ha) coastal plain estuary, located in the U.S. State of Georgia, protected on its seaward side by a Pleistocene barrier island. It was established in 1976.

Sapelo Island is the fourth largest Georgia barrier island and one of the most pristine. The reserve is made up of salt marshes, maritime forests and beach dune areas. Not only is the island rich in natural history, but also in human history dating back 4,000 years.