Kettle Island Wildlife Sanctuary

Snowy Egret at Kettle Island Wildlife Sanctuary © Craig Gibson
Snowy Egret © Craig Gibson

→ Landing on the island is prohibited ←

Kettle Island is an uninhabited rocky island located off the coast of Manchester-by-the Sea. Much of the island is vegetated with a dense cover of low trees, shrubs, thorns, and copious amounts of poison ivy. You can view wildlife from small boats and kayaks, but landing on the island is prohibited so as not to disturb this important colony of nesting birds. 

More information and property regulations >

Important Bird Area

As part of the Essex County Coastal Bird Islands Important Bird Area, Kettle Island hosts a large colony of nesting colonial waterbirds in spring and summer. Learn More

Program Catalog

Programs & Classes

Person and butterfly icon

Mass Audubon's nearby wildlife sanctuaries offer a wide variety of programs for all ages. There's something for everyone! Find a program >