Pritchard's Island is a transgressive barrier island that undergoes rapid erosion. Most of the 4.0 km beach is littered with fallen trees. Historically a dormitory facility and two homes were located within the forest. At high tide, the surf is at the tree line which makes the southern half of the beach impassible and nests subject to natural predation by raccoons. At present only a short section (3/4-mile) of dry beach with low dunes exists where several hatcheries were historically located. The original nesting project from 1982 to 2008 was staffed by USC Beaufort and this project was then considered a nesting index beach. Several years lapsed until a volunteer program was established in 2011 to participate in a loggerhead genetics study with researchers from University of Georgia. As a result of the research study, it is known that the female turtle "Mama Pritchard" continues to nest on the island.