Photo courtesy of the Coastal Discovery Museum
Hilton Head Island and the surrounding area have plenty of fascinating walking nature tours led by experienced guides who will let you in on the secret that residents already know – how beautiful and rich in nature this Island is.
If you walk the beaches and also wonder what purpose the sand dunes serve, then consider a beach tour. These tours explain the importance of the dunes, the sea creatures in the ocean, the different types of seashells you may find while walking the beach, or the forces that are responsible for shaping the beach.
Commander Zodiac (843-671-3344), located at the South Beach Marina Village (232 South Sea Pines Drive) offers a Daufuskie Island tour that takes you by Zodiac raft to this fascinating island. Here you can wander a secluded beach and comb for shells, sand dollars, crabs and driftwood to your heart’s content.
Island Explorer (843-785-2100), a specialist in nature tours, will take you on a special three-hour Low Tide Beach Combing tour of nearby islands, including Daufuskie Island. For the ultimate beach combing experience, your guide will pull up on sandbars, which yield the freshest of treasures. Their boats are comfortable, covered, fast, and have shallow drafts perfect for exploring the tidal creeks and numerous uninhabited islands and beaches. They are conveniently located mid-Island behind the Old Oyster Factory Restaurant at 101 Marshland Road (no gate fees and plenty of parking).
The Island Recreation Center (843-681-7273) holds a Summer Adventure Camp during June, July and part of August. These three-day sessions include learning how to catch crabs, shirmp and fish, how to cast nets, and lots of fun playing games on the beach. Anyone age six and older can sign up for one or more session. Class size is limited so sign up early. The Rec Center is located at 20 Wilborn Road on the north end of the Island.
Island Time Charters (816-261-2410) offers a very popular Sandbar Cookout Cruise, allowing you the opportunity to really get a feel for life in the Lowcountry. You bring your favorite beverage and they’ll provide the grilled hot dogs. Climb aboard their 25-foot canopied open bow boat and let Captain Megan show you the sites you want to see. Trips are limited to six passengers for comfort and to ensure the personal red carpet attention you deserve. Trips depart from the Cross Island Boat Landing, located on Helmsman Way underneath the south end of the Cross Island Parkway.
Live Oac (888-254-8362) offers private walks on remote beaches, sandbars and shell banks for a nature experience that’s truly first class. Private beachcombing adventures depart Hilton Head Harbor, right across the water from Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. The Harbour is located at the end of Jenkins Road (43-A Jenkins Road off William Hilton Parkway, Hwy 278, Mile Marker 1).
Outside Hilton Head’s (800-686-6996) popular Beach Combing Cruise is a three-hour trip to the beaches of Daufuskie Island. It departs daily from their Shelter Cove Marina location (1 Shelter Cove Lane) at low tide (so times vary).
Also see “Things To Do”:
4. Take a Guided Eco-Tour
5. Photograph Nature with a Pro
31. Go Kayaking
42. Leave Footprints in the Sand
60. Don’t Let the Kids Drive You Crazy
Companies that offer guided beach tours and activities include:
The Island Recreation Center (Website)
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