Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

As recently as 1958, Monomoy was part of the mainland. Severe winter storms cut it loose, and later storms split it again — today three barrier islands stretch south off Chatham, shifting sand dunes rising to 100 feet on their eastern shores, salt marshes and mudflats on the west. The refuge, 7,604 acres established in 1944, exists for migratory birds: grebes, egrets, herons, the endangered piping plover and roseate tern. Access to the islands is by boat only, on your own arrangement.