Into the Wild
From the critters who call Honey Horn home to exploring the landscape itself, book a tour to take a walk or ride a Segway to get the true lay of the land. Butterflies in all stages of development, crabs and other critters creating a rich ecological system, and a couple local celebrities who enjoy being put out to pasture, the rare and historic Marsh Tacky Horses. All of this and there’s still the scenery to explore – from the oaks and camellias to the surrounding salt marsh, the campus awaits with endless discoveries.
Into the Wild
From the critters who call Honey Horn home to exploring the landscape itself, book a tour to take a walk or ride a Segway to get the true lay of the land. Butterflies in all stages of development, crabs and other critters creating a rich ecological system, and a couple local celebrities who enjoy being put out to pasture, the rare and historic Marsh Tacky Horses. All of this and there’s still the scenery to explore – from the oaks and camellias to the surrounding salt marsh, the campus awaits with endless discoveries.
BE IN THE KNOW
BEACH
DISCOVERY TOUR
Join a museum naturalist on a nature tour of the wonders and creatures that inhabit our local beaches. Ever wonder who lives in those holes in the sand? Or, when sea turtles come ashore to nest on Hilton Head Island? Learn about the horseshoe crab that has been lurking in our coastal waters for millions of years.
Come explore our ever-changing marine environment at hidden Fish Haul Beach along Port Royal Sound. With its mud flats and sandy areas, this beach is ideal for finding beach creatures, shorebirds, and sea shells. Learn about how our beaches are formed and changed with each cycle of the tide. Meet docent at the picnic tables near the beach pathway for an orientation before heading to the beach.
BEACH
DISCOVERY TOURJoin a museum naturalist on a nature tour of the wonders and creatures that inhabit our local beaches. Ever wonder who lives in those holes in the sand? Or, when sea turtles come ashore to nest on Hilton Head Island? Learn about the horseshoe crab that has been lurking in our coastal waters for millions of years.
Come explore our ever-changing marine environment at hidden Fish Haul Beach along Port Royal Sound. With its mud flats and sandy areas, this beach is ideal for finding beach creatures, shorebirds, and sea shells. Learn about how our beaches are formed and changed with each cycle of the tide. Meet docent at the picnic tables near the beach pathway for an orientation before heading to the beach.
DOLPHIN & NATURE
CRUISE
Join a museum docent in this cruise along the waters and salt marshes of Broad Creek. The Lowcountry’s Salt Marsh is home to many interesting creatures such as river otters, eastern oysters, blue crabs and a great species of birds. Among the most charismatic creatures found in the Salt Marsh are the Bottlenose Dolphins. Museum guides share their knowledge about this and many other of the fascinating creatures found in the salt water channels of Broad Creek.
This cruise is offered from March through October 14th.
Register Now
DOLPHIN & NATURE
CRUISE
Join a museum docent in this cruise along the waters and salt marshes of Broad Creek. The Lowcountry’s Salt Marsh is home to many interesting creatures such as river otters, eastern oysters, blue crabs and a great species of birds. Among the most charismatic creatures found in the Salt Marsh are the Bottlenose Dolphins. Museum guides share their knowledge about this and many other of the fascinating creatures found in the salt water channels of Broad Creek.
This cruise is offered from March through October 14th.
Register NowDOLPHIN ECO
CRUISE
Join us for a one and a half to two-hour power boat tour through the Lowcountry water watching for birds and dolphin in the salt marsh ecosystem. Cruise from Shelter Cove Marina down Broad Creek and into Calibogue Sound where you’ll see the beautiful Harbour Town Lighthouse. Outside Hilton Head uses small enough boats to have close-up encounters with the great variety of wildlife.
Register NowDOLPHIN ECO
CRUISE
Join us for a one and a half to two-hour power boat tour through the Lowcountry water watching for birds and dolphin in the salt marsh ecosystem. Cruise from Shelter Cove Marina down Broad Creek and into Calibogue Sound where you’ll see the beautiful Harbour Town Lighthouse. Outside Hilton Head uses small enough boats to have close-up encounters with the great variety of wildlife.
Register NowEXPLORE
PINCKNEY ISLAND
Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge, located at the northern tip of Hilton Head Island, is a unique location full of Lowcountry history and natural beauty. This tour explores three different habitats: the Salt Marsh, the Maritime Forest, and a fresh water lagoon. The island’s Ibis Pond lagoon is known for its active wading-bird rookery which offers great bird watching opportunities between April and August. The island is also rich in cultural history and was home to General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, a signer of the United States Constitution.
Not recommended for children under the age of 4.
EXPLORE
PINCKNEY ISLANDPinckney Island Wildlife Refuge, located at the northern tip of Hilton Head Island, is a unique location full of Lowcountry history and natural beauty. This tour explores three different habitats: the Salt Marsh, the Maritime Forest, and a fresh water lagoon. The island’s Ibis Pond lagoon is known for its active wading-bird rookery which offers great bird watching opportunities between April and August. The island is also rich in cultural history and was home to General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, a signer of the United States Constitution.
Not recommended for children under the age of 4.
FORTS
OF PORT ROYAL
During the Civil War, Hilton Head Island was occupied by Union forces early in November 1861. The island’s proximity to Charleston and Savannah made it an important strategic location for the Union and was occupied throughout the War. On this guided history tour, learn about the Battle of Port Royal and the historic sites of Fort Walker and a later era Steam Cannon used for coastal defense.
Not recommended for children under 7 years of age.
FORTS
OF PORT ROYALDuring the Civil War, Hilton Head Island was occupied by Union forces early in November 1861. The island’s proximity to Charleston and Savannah made it an important strategic location for the Union and was occupied throughout the War. On this guided history tour, learn about the Battle of Port Royal and the historic sites of Fort Walker and a later era Steam Cannon used for coastal defense.
Not recommended for children under 7 years of age.
GULLAH HERITAGE
TRAIL TOUR
Book a tour with our partners Gullah Heritage Trail Tours and take a bus trip around the island to learn about their cultural heritage. The tour guides are all Native Islanders whose families have lived here for generations and will share their family stories, Gullah cultural values, and Sea Island way of life with our visitors. This trip leaves from the museum and you can enjoy it rain or shine, from your seat in an air-conditioned bus.
Register Now
GULLAH HERITAGE
TRAIL TOUR
Book a tour with our partners Gullah Heritage Trail Tours and take a bus trip around the island to learn about their cultural heritage. The tour guides are all Native Islanders whose families have lived here for generations and will share their family stories, Gullah cultural values, and Sea Island way of life with our visitors. This trip leaves from the museum and you can enjoy it rain or shine, from your seat in an air-conditioned bus.
Register Now
HILTON HEAD
HISTORY TOUR
Learn the secrets of Hilton Head’s history and the fascinating stories that bring it to life. This 3-hour expert guided tour takes you to five nearby historic sites in an air-conditioned bus. You will explore and discover our significant role in the American story.
Not recommended for children under the age of 7.
HILTON HEAD
HISTORY TOUR
Learn the secrets of Hilton Head’s history and the fascinating stories that bring it to life. This 3-hour expert guided tour takes you to five nearby historic sites in an air-conditioned bus. You will explore and discover our significant role in the American story.
Not recommended for children under the age of 7.
KAYAK TOUR
OF JARVIS CREEK
Join a naturalist guide in a kayak exploration of Jarvis Creek. Paddle through the salt marsh looking for bottle-nosed dolphins, wading birds and other local wildlife. Jarvis Creek is a small creek in the north end of Hilton Head Island not typically visited by recreational boaters. The absence of fast moving boats, the calm waters, and the many inlets and side creeks make it the ideal location to see wildlife. Given the physical requirements of this tour, we do not allow children younger than 5 years of age to participate. Children ages 5 to 12 have to be in a double kayak with an adult.
Register Now
KAYAK TOUR
OF JARVIS CREEKJoin a naturalist guide in a kayak exploration of Jarvis Creek. Paddle through the salt marsh looking for bottle-nosed dolphins, wading birds and other local wildlife. Jarvis Creek is a small creek in the north end of Hilton Head Island not typically visited by recreational boaters. The absence of fast moving boats, the calm waters, and the many inlets and side creeks make it the ideal location to see wildlife. Given the physical requirements of this tour, we do not allow children younger than 5 years of age to participate. Children ages 5 to 12 have to be in a double kayak with an adult.
NEW!
WADDELL MARICULTURE
CENTER TOURS
The Waddell Mariculture Center (WMC), located in Bluffton, SC, is a field experiment station of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). WMC is one of the largest and most sophisticated facilities for mariculture research in the country.
During this exclusive experience, a WMC staff member will guide you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the grounds, lab, hatchery and ponds. You’ll learn firsthand how the center produces estuarine and saltwater fish for research and release along the coast of SC. You’ll also learn about the importance of mariculture in protecting our shorelines.
Please note:Closed-toed shoes are required (no admittance to the hatchery with open-toed shoes).
Participants must be 12 years or older.
Since half of the tour is outside, bug spray, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and comfortable shoes are recommended.
Register Now
NEW!
WADDEL MARICULTURE
CENTER TOURS
The Waddell Mariculture Center (WMC), located in Bluffton, SC, is a field experiment station of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). WMC is one of the largest and most sophisticated facilities for mariculture research in the country.
During this exclusive experience, a WMC staff member will guide you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the grounds, lab, hatchery and ponds. You’ll learn firsthand how the center produces estuarine and saltwater fish for research and release along the coast of SC. You’ll also learn about the importance of mariculture in protecting our shorelines.
Please note:Closed-toed shoes are required (no admittance to the hatchery with open-toed shoes).
Participants must be 12 years or older.
Since half of the tour is outside, bug spray, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and comfortable shoes are recommended.
Register Now