Knotts Island, North Carolina

Knotts Island is a marshy island and a small unincorporated community. The island is shared by Currituck County, North Carolina and Virginia Beach, Virginia, bounded by the Currituck Sound, North Landing River, Back Bay, and Knotts Island Bay. Knotts Island is home to Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge. Knotts Island is only accessible over land from Virginia Beach using Princess Anne Road. The North Carolina Department of Transportation operates a free ferry between Knotts Island and Currituck on the mainland.This island is a hunting and fishing community. It has numerous duck hunting blinds located in the bay as well as on land, and is home to the Swan Island Hunting Club, a guided duck hunting club located across the bay on Swan Island. It is a favorite winter travel destination of artist/painter Bob Timberlake, among others.Over the years, many residents of the former Outer Banks community of Wash Woods, Virginia moved across the sound to settle on Knotts Island. Eventually, Wash Woods became a ghost town, but descendants continue to live on Knotts Island to this day.There are several businesses located on the island. Knotts Island Market is the only general store on the island. There is a restaurant and bar, Bay Villa, 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 boat ramp located adjacent to the main building. There is one winery, Martin's Vineyard; Moonrise Bay Vineyard formerly was located on the island. The one vineyard remaining open has wine tasting facilities and is located on Woodleigh Road. The island also has a custom metal fabrication shop, OBX Metalworks, LLC, that produces artwork that is shipped worldwide and also handles industrial fabrication. Knotts Island hosts a Peach Festival every year in June.