Fly into Plum Island Airport (2b2) in Newburyport, MA .  A bicycle is ideal to explore the Refuge so bring your folding bike along in the plane.  The airport does have some bikes available for use, but the condition may be questionable.  Plum Island beaches and the Refuge entrance are about a mile east of the airport and about a 20 minute walk, if you don't have a bike.  The beaches are very nice and the water is clear/clean so this is also a relaxing beach destination.  The waves tend to be large when the wind is from the east.

There are a couple of restaurants between the airport and the beach/Refuge if you get hungry on the way there or back.  One is a fish market, restaurant and ice cream shop called Bob Lobster.  The fish is prepared rather simply but is very fresh and well done.  Counter service is provided with picnic tables outside and a few indoors.  Their fried scallops are a favorite of mine and the last time I was there a twin lobster dinner special was being offered for $16.00.  The other restaurant (Plum Island Grill) is closer to the beach and a little more full service with a larger menu.  It is also rumored to have very fresh and well-prepared fish.

The main road in the Refuge offers 6.5 miles (each way) of relaxing, rather level, bike riding.  There are also numerous trails off the main road for wildlife observation.  Some follow boardwalks to the beach, others meander through pines or other forested areas to observation platforms or towers.  The Refuge access road ends at Sandy Point State Reservation, on the south end of Plum Island , offering broad expanses of beach facing all directions of Plum Island Sound.

There is an access fee to enter the Refuge; however, there is free access to the Plum Island beaches without entering the Refuge.  Refer to the website for fee information.