Martin National Wildlife Refuge protects the northern half of Smith Island and nearby Watts Island, a wide expanse of Chesapeake salt marsh, tidal flats, shallow water, and bird habitat. It is one of the reasons the island feels so open once you get beyond the villages.
Access is limited and conditions vary, so most visitors experience the refuge from the water rather than by wandering freely through it. Kayak trips and boat tours are the best way to see the marsh edge without disturbing the habitat.