Originally declared as St Mary's Island and Curry's Point Local Nature Reserve in 1992, but more commonly known as St Mary's Island (LNR), the site is situated on the coast at Whitley Bay and forms part of the much larger Northumberland Coast SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest).
Connected to the mainland by a causeway that can be crossed at low tide, the island is home to St Mary's Lighthouse.
The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1984 and is now a visitor centre, popular with tourists and schools.
The seabed around the island and cliff tops at Curry's Point were designated as a Voluntary Marine Nature Reserve (VMNR) in 1996.
The LNR comprises of cliff top grassland, wetland, tidal and sub-tidal habitats, the small semi-tidal island and a fresh-water pond. The area holds major geological, ornithological and marine interest.
The rock pools are home to a wonderful array of marine life, while seabirds can be observed from the island itself.
The shoreline and newly created cliff top wetland are favourite feeding and resting sites for many waders, terns and gulls.