Botany Bay Plantation Wildlife Management Area

To protect part one of the largest remaining relatively undeveloped wetland ecosystems along the Atlantic Coast. Botany Bay Plantation WMA with Botany Bay Island (under conservation easement with The Nature Conservancy) and Deveaux Bank form a core area of protected habitat in the eastern corner of the Focus Area. The biological features of Botany Bay Plantation WMA are characteristic of Sea Islands along the lower Southeast coast. The undeveloped coastal habitats of the management area are important to numerous wildlife species. The beach is utilized for nesting by the federally-threatened loggerhead sea turtle and the state-threatened least tern. The maritime forest and coastal scrub/shrub areas provide nesting and foraging habitat for neotropical songbirds including painted buntings and summer tanagers.

Species of Concern: loggerhead sea turtle

Restrictions

1. The Fig Island shell rings are closed to all public access except organized scientific, management or educational activities permitted by the Department of Natural Resources.
2. Sea Cloud Landing on Ocella Creek and all other designated access points are restricted to non-trailered watercraft.
3. All hunters, fishermen and visitors must obtain and complete a day use pass upon entering the area and follow instructions on the pass.
4. Botany Bay Plantation WMA is closed to public access 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise except for special events regulated by the Department.
5. No person may gather, collect, deface, remove, damage, disturb, destroy, or otherwise injure in any manner whatsoever the plants, animals (except lawful hunting), fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, artifacts, or ecofacts including but not limited to any tree, flower, shrub, fern, moss, charcoal, plant remains, or animal remains.
6. Fishing is prohibited, except as indicated in the 'Allowed' section.
7. It is unlawful to feed or harass alligators.

Swimming is allowed only in designated areas, which includes any State or federal navigable waterway abutting or flowing through Department land.
Boats may be used on Department land only on a watercourse or water body which has been designated by the Department for the use of boats. The Department may restrict the type, size, or number of boats and motors or the use of motors. Any restrictions shall be posted at the entrances to Department land. This restriction shall not apply to any State or federal navigable waterway. Motorized boats may only be launched at launch sites designated by the Department.

Allowed

Shore based fishing, shrimping, and crabbing, is allowed only on the front beach and in designated areas only.