The post Sunset Kayak Tour appeared first on Coastal Expeditions Beaufort.
]]>Sunset Kayak Tour
THE BEST WAY TO END THE DAY IS THE SUNSET KAYAK TOUR
Wind down a day in the Lowcountry with a quiet paddle through the creeks behind St Helena at sunset. You’ll end the day in a kayak connected with your environment while watching the creatures of the salt marsh go about their evening rituals as night settles.
WHAT WE SEE
Eastern brown pelicans, great blue herons, ospreys, egrets, blue crabs, gulls, marsh hens and terns live and feed in Ward’s Creek, and in the summers we may see a diamondback terrapin pop its head up!
Every once in a while (when the stars and winds and tides align) we’re lucky enough to see a Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphin or even the wild marsh tacky’s that live on neighboring Horse Island.
THE EXPERIENCE
The Sunset Kayak Tour is a favorite tour amongst our guides at Coastal Expeditions Beaufort. Our experience guides will make the transition from land to water seamless and point out wildlife along the way to make you feel at home.
As we paddle down Ward’s Creek, you’ll see iconic Lowcountry views of shrimp boats, moss-draped trees, fields of marsh grass and emergent oyster beds.
CONVENIENTLY LOCATED
The St. Helena Paddleboard Tour departs from our private dock on our St Helena campus. We’re just one mile from Hunting Island, two miles from Harbor Island, and three miles from Fripp Island. Downtown Beaufort and Port Royal are a half-hour drive away. If you are visiting the Lowcountry, it is sure to be the highlight of your time in Beaufort.
Sunrise Kayak Tour Details
TOUR INFO
Adults: $65
Children 12 & under: $50
2 hours
(includes prep, instruction, & on-water time)
WHERE TO MEET
ST. HELENA BASECAMP
1928 Sea Island Parkway
St. Helena Island, SC
From Hunting Island State Park, turn right and drive 5.9 miles. Coastal Expeditions will be on your left.
THINGS TO KNOW
Bring sunscreen & water
Wear a hat, sunglasses, quick-drying clothes and shoes that will stay on your feet (not flip-flops)
“WHEN I CAME TO BEAUFORT I HAD STRUCK UPON A LAND SO BEAUTIFUL I HAD TO HUNT FOR WORDS.”
We share Pat Conroy’s affectionate descriptions of Beaufort. Seeing it on a Coastal Expeditions tour allows you to slow down and take it all in: the endless fields of marsh grass, dolphins breaching nearby in the creek, pelicans diving for fish, a golden sunset. It never gets old.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL?
You’ll need to cancel 48 hours prior or you will not be eligible for a refund for the tour.
WHAT IF THE WEATHER IS BAD?
Weather (thunderstorms or high winds) may impact this excursion. Cancellations usually occur due to lightning, thunder or high winds and we will make sure to reschedule your group if needed. Our general cancellation policies apply unless our experts determine it is potentially unsafe or unwise to venture out. In the event that we decide to cancel due to weather, we will make every effort to call you at least two hours before your departure and help you reschedule or credit/refund the full cost of your trip.
SHOULD I TIP MY GUIDES?
The guides at Coastal Expeditions Beaufort go above and beyond to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable experience on the water. Average gratuity is 15 to 25% of the tour cost and is greatly appreciated by our guides.
DO I NEED ANY PRIOR KAYAKING EXPERIENCE?
We’ll provide all the gear and teach you what you need to know to have a great time on this tour. Beginners are welcome!
IS THIS A GOOD TOUR FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN?
We recommend that you rent kayaks if you have younger children so that you can set your own pace and duration. This tour is well-suited to children 8 and older. Kids 12 & under must be in a tandem kayak with an adult.
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]]>The post Saint Phillips Island at Sunrise – NEW! appeared first on Coastal Expeditions Beaufort.
]]>St. Phillips Island at Sunrise
BEAT THE HEAT WITH THIS SUNRISE TRIP
Since we’ve been running the St Phillips Island Ferry, summer is one of the most popular times to visit the island for locals and visitors to Beaufort. Over time we’ve tailored the Ferry to run on a specific tidal schedule in the summer to ensure plenty of beach for guests to escape the island’s buggy residents, and this summer we’re excited to launch sunrise trips to the island to beat the heat!
AN UNFORGETTABLE DAY TRIP
Departing from the Coastal Expeditions Beaufort basecamp on St. Helena Island at sunrise, the Saint Phillips Island Ferry begins with a naturalist-led ecotour through the estuaries behind Hunting Island State Park to the St. Phillips Island dock. You’ll get to see the magic of the estuary as the creatures within it start their day with wading birds coming to the creeks to feed and bottlenose dolphins cruising the shorelines in search of fish.
SAFARI RIDE THROUGH THE ISLAND
At the dock on St. Phillips Island, we’ll board a tram that takes us through the maritime forest to the beach. Along this 3.5 mile tram tour, you’ll learn about the island and see wildlife like fox squirrels, raptors, ibis and painted buntings.
EXPLORE THE SHORELINE AND INLAND TRAILS
Once we arrive at the beach, you get to choose your adventure. Walk the beach and search for ocean treasures or hike some of the trail system within the maritime forest to look for birds, alligators and other wildlife. St. Phillips Island at Sunrise is the best way to start your day.
Tour Details
TOUR INFO
Adults: $65
Children 3-12: $35
Children 2 & under: Free
6 hours
WHERE TO MEET
ST. HELENA BASECAMP
1928 Sea Island Parkway
St. Helena Island, SC
From Hunting Island State Park, turn right and drive 5.9 miles. Coastal Expeditions will be on the left.
THINGS TO KNOW
Sunscreen, water, snacks and bagged lunch in a small backpack. Optional: binoculars, towel, swimsuit
Wear hat, sunglasses, quick-drying clothes and walking shoes (not flip-flops). Layers are your friend since the temperature on the island and boat can vary!
A SALTY EDEN
“St. Phillips encompasses nearly 4,682 acres of ancient landscape, all of it accessible only by boat, featuring narrow ridges of upland dunes flanking freshwater sloughs, with live oaks and magnolias on the high ground, palmettos and marsh grasses on the low. Here was a strand of pale and shifting sands cradling the boneyard remnants of trees, a salty Eden where dolphins leaped and vivid painted buntings perched on low branches while eagles and ospreys gazed from the treetops.”
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTH CAROLINA STATE PARKS
Since 2020, Coastal Expeditions has proudly provided ferry service and ecotours of St. Phillips Island for Hunting Island State Park under a contract with South Carolina Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT).
Unless you are staying at the campground or have an annual park passport , you will need to pay the daily park admission fee to go on this tour. You can pay beforehand or when you get to our campus.
$8/adult; $5/SC seniors; $4/child ages 6-15; Free for children 5 and younger
“It’s a bit like a fragile family heirloom passed down with care and love. What better way to describe South Carolina’s remarkable St. Phillips Island?”
-SOUTHERN LIVING
Frequently Asked Questions
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]]>Sunrise Kayak Tour
THE BEST WAY TO START THE DAY IS ON THE SUNRISE KAYAK TOUR
Set your alarm to greet the day with the quiet sounds of water rushing by your kayak, marsh wrens singing in the still air, and wind whispering through the marsh grass around you.
WHAT WE SEE
Bottlenose dolphins love the protected creeks around Hunting Island State Park and take advantage of the “24-hour-all-you-can-eat-seafood-buffet” that teems under the water.
Eastern brown pelicans, great blue herons, ospreys, egrets, blue crabs, gulls, marsh hens and terns live and feed in Ward’s Creek, and in the summers we may see a loggerhead sea turtle pop up!
THE EXPERIENCE
This is a favorite tour amongst our guides at Coastal Expeditions Beaufort. Knowing that you’re one of the few awake and getting to watch other creatures start their morning rituals is a memory we highly recommend making. Our experienced guides will make the transition from land to water seamless and point out wildlife along the way to make you feel at home.
As we paddle down Ward’s Creek, you’ll see iconic Lowcountry views of shrimp boats, moss-draped trees, fields of marsh grass and emergent oyster beds.
CONVENIENTLY LOCATED
The St. Helena Paddleboard Tour departs from our private dock on our St Helena campus. We’re just one mile from Hunting Island, two miles from Harbor Island, and three miles from Fripp Island. Downtown Beaufort and Port Royal are a half-hour drive away. If you are visiting the Lowcountry, it is sure to be the highlight of your time in Beaufort.
Sunrise Kayak Tour Details
TOUR INFO
Adults: $65
Children 12 & under: $50
2 hours
(includes prep, instruction, & on-water time)
WHERE TO MEET
ST. HELENA BASECAMP
1928 Sea Island Parkway
St. Helena Island, SC
From Hunting Island State Park, turn right and drive 5.9 miles. Coastal Expeditions will be on your left.
THINGS TO KNOW
Bring sunscreen & water
Wear a hat, sunglasses, quick-drying clothes and shoes that will stay on your feet (not flip-flops)
“WHEN I CAME TO BEAUFORT I HAD STRUCK UPON A LAND SO BEAUTIFUL I HAD TO HUNT FOR WORDS.”
We share Pat Conroy’s affectionate descriptions of Beaufort. Seeing it on a Coastal Expeditions tour allows you to slow down and take it all in: the endless fields of marsh grass, dolphins breaching nearby in the creek, pelicans diving for fish, a golden sunset. It never gets old.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL?
You’ll need to cancel 48 hours prior or you will not be eligible for a refund for the tour.
WHAT IF THE WEATHER IS BAD?
Weather (thunderstorms or high winds) may impact this excursion. Cancellations usually occur due to lightning, thunder or high winds and we will make sure to reschedule your group if needed. Our general cancellation policies apply unless our experts determine it is potentially unsafe or unwise to venture out. In the event that we decide to cancel due to weather, we will make every effort to call you at least two hours before your departure and help you reschedule or credit/refund the full cost of your trip.
SHOULD I TIP MY GUIDES?
The guides at Coastal Expeditions Beaufort go above and beyond to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable experience on the water. Average gratuity is 15 to 25% of the tour cost and is greatly appreciated by our guides.
DO I NEED ANY PRIOR KAYAKING EXPERIENCE?
We’ll provide all the gear and teach you what you need to know to have a great time on this tour. Beginners are welcome!
IS THIS A GOOD TOUR FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN?
We recommend that you rent kayaks if you have younger children so that you can set your own pace and duration. This tour is well-suited to children 8 and older. Kids 12 & under must be in a tandem kayak with an adult.
The post Sunrise Kayak Tour appeared first on Coastal Expeditions Beaufort.
]]>The post St. Helena Paddleboard Tour appeared first on Coastal Expeditions Beaufort.
]]>St. Helena Paddleboard Tour
A PADDLEBOARD TOUR WITH A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE
This perfect combination of sport and scenery will leave you appreciative of the beautiful creeks and rivers behind St Helena Island.
WHAT WE SEE
Eastern brown pelicans, great blue herons, ospreys, bald eagles, blue crabs, gulls, marsh hens and terns live and feed in Ward’s Creek, and in the summers we may see a loggerhead sea turtle pop up!
Bottlenose dolphins will occasionally travel into the tidal creeks in search of food, so keep an eye (and an ear!) out for these large mammals.
THE EXPERIENCE
The guides at Coastal Expeditions Beaufort are experienced naturalists with a knack for storytelling. As they lead you through the saltmarsh, they’ll coach you through effective paddleboarding strokes will pointing out wildlife and other interesting aspects of the marsh.
As we paddle around Ward’s Creek, you’ll see iconic Lowcountry views of shrimp boats, moss-draped trees, fields of marsh grass and emergent oyster beds.
CONVENIENTLY LOCATED
The St. Helena Paddleboard Tour departs from our private dock on our St Helena campus. We’re just one mile from Hunting Island, two miles from Harbor Island, and three miles from Fripp Island. Downtown Beaufort and Port Royal are a half-hour drive away. If you are visiting the Lowcountry, it is sure to be the highlight of your time in Beaufort.
St. Helena Paddleboard Tour Details
TOUR INFO
Adults: $60
Children 12 & under: $30 (must accompany an adult on their board)
2 hours
(includes prep, instruction, & on-water time)
WHERE TO MEET
ST. HELENA BASECAMP
1928 Sea Island Parkway
St. Helena Island, SC
From Hunting Island State Park, turn right and drive 5.9 miles. Coastal Expeditions will be on your left.
THINGS TO KNOW
Bring sunscreen & water
Wear a hat, sunglasses, quick-drying clothes and shoes that will stay on your feet (not flip-flops)
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL?
You’ll need to cancel 48 hours prior or you will not be eligible for a refund for the tour.
WHAT IF THE WEATHER IS BAD?
Weather (thunderstorms or high winds) may impact this excursion. Cancellations usually occur due to lightning, thunder or high winds and we will make sure to reschedule your group if needed. Our general cancellation policies apply unless our experts determine it is potentially unsafe or unwise to venture out. In the event that we decide to cancel due to weather, we will make every effort to call you at least two hours before your departure and help you reschedule or credit/refund the full cost of your trip.
SHOULD I TIP MY GUIDES?
The guides at Coastal Expedition Beaufort go above and beyond to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable experience on the water. Average gratuity is 15 to 25% of the tour cost and is greatly appreciated by our guides.
DO I NEED ANY PRIOR PADDLEBOARDING EXPERIENCE?
We’ll provide all the gear and teach you what you need to know to have a great time on this tour. Beginners are welcome!
The post St. Helena Paddleboard Tour appeared first on Coastal Expeditions Beaufort.
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