North Carolina’s Crystal Coast is filled with incredible opportunities to experience wildlife up-close— both on land and under the sea. Often called the "Graveyard of the Atlantic," it has ideal scuba diving conditions with more than 100 feet of visibility, as well as over 2,000 shipwrecks and abundant marine life. Carefully regulated fishing and regional preservation efforts have helped safeguard the richness in marine species.

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What better way to discover the region’s incredibly rich wildlife diversity with rare encounters with the magical manatee, as well as flamingos, alligators, peacocks, and over 240 bird species (including the rare roseate spoonbill). Over 60 percent of Sanibel Island is protected and dedicated to the preservation of wildlife. There’s also over 25 miles of bike trails through the J.N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, one of the area’s nearly 50 nature preserves.

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Santa Barbara is renowned as a champion for wildlife and for educating locals and visitors alike on the importance of safeguarding the coast’s diverse ecosystem. The Santa Barbara Channel was recently designated the ninth Whale Heritage Area in the world (making it only one of two Whale Heritage Areas in the US). Famed for its incredible biodiversity and thriving marine ecosystem, Santa Barbara is a sanctuary for more than 25 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, and visitors can take advantage of year-round wildlife viewing experiences.

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Thanks to its diverse habitats that range from sandy beaches to verdant wetlands, there are an impressive number of native marine and land species in Corpus Christi. The Padre Island National Seashore is a sanctuary for over 380 species of birds and a variety of mammals, including coyotes, deer, and the endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles. The city is located along the Central Flyway and so welcomes a large number of migratory birds like the roseate spoonbill, Kentucky warbler, and cinnamon teal. Mustang Island State Park is another favorite spot for wildlife watching because you can get close to coastal birds like the aplomado falcon and the reddish egret.