Savory Beautiful Swimmers

Did You Know: The Blue Crab’s scientific name – Callinectes sapidus – really does mean “savory beautiful swimmer"? Also known as the Atlantic blue crab or Chesapeake blue crab this Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico native has been the mainstay of the Lowcountry and surrounding waters since Captain Hilton cruised through Broad Creek and Port Royal Sound in the 1660s. Exhibiting “sapphire blue claws,” this crab is one of the most prominent visuals throughout the Southeast and has been a staple of both ecology and economy in the area for centuries.

In the Blue Crab Program(s) offered by the Coastal Discovery Museum, you’ll get as hands-on as you can possibly get, learning to trap, cook and eat what you’ve caught, all on-site at Honey Horn and with step-by-step instruction.

Discover insider how-tos behind crabbing like what they eat, more about their anatomy, and how to cook and prepare marshside. There's more to the blue crab than just a delicacy, like its role in the Lowcountry environment, its benefits and predators, and the explanations behind its curious behaviors and natural tendencies -- like the science behind their striking pigment and why they change colors under stress. It's little wonder they’re one of the most iconic Hilton Head cultural images and visuals.

Pinch me!

Get muddy with the blue crabs and have fun with the whole family (it’s safe!). Discover things you never thought you’d see and make a mess of memories!