unincorporated community
An unincorporated area is a region that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. Widespread unincorporated communities and areas are a distinguishing feature of the United States and Canada. Most other countries of the world either have ...
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is an independent city located on the southeastern coast of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. The population was 459,470 at the 2020 census. Although mostly suburban in character, it is the most populous city ...
, United States, bounded by the Currituck Sound, North Landing River, Back Bay, and Knotts Island Bay. Knotts Island is home to
Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge
was established in 1960 to provide habitat for migratory waterfowl, primarily the greater snow goose. It is located almost entirely on Knotts Island in the Currituck Sound between Back Bay in Virginia Beach, Virginia and the open sound in Nort ...
. Knotts Island is accessible overland from
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is an independent city located on the southeastern coast of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. The population was 459,470 at the 2020 census. Although mostly suburban in character, it is the most populous city ...
using Princess Anne Road, or by water from the Currituck County mainland; the North Carolina Department of Transportation operates a free ferry between Knotts Island and Currituck on the mainland. The ZIP Code for Knotts Island is 27950.
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
The Outer Banks (frequently abbreviated OBX) are a string of barrier islands and spits off the coast of North Carolina and southeastern Virginia, on the east coast of the United States. They line most of the North Carolina coastline, separating ...
community of
Wash Woods, Virginia
Wash Woods was an unincorporated town on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in the former Princess Anne County (now the independent City of Virginia Beach), in the southeastern corner of Virginia. It has been abandoned since the 1930s, except for th ...
moved across the sound to settle on Knotts Island. Eventually, Wash Woods became a
ghost town
Ghost Town(s) or Ghosttown may refer to:
* Ghost town, a town that has been abandoned
Film and television
* ''Ghost Town'' (1936 film), an American Western film by Harry L. Fraser
* ''Ghost Town'' (1956 film), an American Western film by All ...
, but descendants continue to live on Knotts Island to this day.
The island supports an elementary school, two churches, a post office, and a community park.
There are several businesses located on the island. Knotts Island Market is the original general store on the island. Next to the market now there is a Dollar General store. The only restaurant and bar on the island is Pearl's Bay Villa, commonly referred to as "Pearl's" in reference to the former owner. There are no lodgings except for a single Airbnb on Knotts Island Bay.
There is also a winery on the Island: Martin Farm and Winery which offers waterfront views with a wine tasting room and ‘pick-your-own’ peaches, apples, and muscadine grapes.
Knotts Island hosts a Peach Festival every year in June.