Pamlico Sound

Pamlico Sound (/ˈpæmlɪkoʊ/ PAM-lik-oh) is a large estuarine lagoon in North Carolina. The largest lagoon along the North American East Coast, it extends 80 mi (130 km) long and 15 to 20 miles (24 to 32 km) wide. It is part of a large, interconnected network of similar lagoons that includes Albemarle Sound, Currituck Sound, Croatan Sound, Roanoke Sound, Pamlico Sound, Bogue Sound, Back Sound, and Core Sound^[1][2] known collectively as the Albemarle-Pamlico sound system. With over 3,000 sq. mi. (7,800 km²) of open water^[3] the combined estuary is second only in size to 4,479 sq mi (11,600 km²) Chesapeake Bay in the United States.

The Pamlico Sound is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Outer Banks, a row of low, sandy barrier islands that include Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Cape Lookout National Seashore, and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. The Albemarle-Pamlico Sound is one of nineteen great waters recognized by the America's Great Waters Coalition.^[4]