Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge is composed of islands and coastal marshlands containing potholes, creeks, swamp forests, and tidal drains. This brackish marsh ecosystem is dominated by black needlerush and other marsh grasses. Tens of thousands of canvasback, scaup, bufflehead, redhead, and ruddy ducks winter in adjacent bays and are visible from the Swan Quarter/Ocracoke ferry as it leaves Swan Quarter and passes by refuge waters. Many bird species nest here, including egrets, osprey, and other raptors.
Located east of Swanquarter refuge, Gull Rock Game Land contains a diversity of wetland habitats, including brackish marsh, pond pine woodland, nonriverine swamp forest, and low and high pocosin. The natural area is home to 63 breeding birds, black bear, and American alligator. Canoeing and boating are great ways to see these marshes, offering good viewing of the waterfowl, but windy days can make for rough water in the more exposed areas.