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Drone Rules for Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge

Awendaw, South Carolina (SC) • United States
Lighthouse Rd, Awendaw, SC 29429, USA
Lat: 32.9049 • Lng: -79.5995
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 30, 2026
Summary
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USFWS prohibits drones on Cape Romain NWR. The 66,000-acre barrier island complex is accessible only by boat and is the largest loggerhead sea turtle nesting site north of Florida.

Drone Rules - Cape Romain NWR, South Carolina

Drones are prohibited under USFWS Director's Order 210; boat access only makes enforcement remote but citations have been issued.

Airspace / Site Context

  • Bull Island and Cape Island host the largest loggerhead sea turtle nesting aggregation in the Southeast outside Florida
  • Drone overflight during nesting season (May-October) at night disrupts light-sensitive nesting behavior; daytime flights disturb hatchery probes
  • Charleston International (CHS) Class C outer ring extends toward the cape; local airspace is Class G/E

Key Rules

  • Loggerhead sea turtle (threatened) and leatherback sea turtle (endangered) both nest here; ESA Section 9 take prohibition applies
  • Boat-launched drone from outside refuge waters still violates USFWS Director's Order 210 once the UAS enters refuge airspace
  • USFWS Special Use Permit required for sea turtle research UAS; only active at night with extreme lighting protocols

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