Into the Wild
Step off the beaten path and explore the rich natural and cultural heritage of the Lowcountry with our Offsite Excursions. From birding at Pinckney Island and kayaking Jarvis Creek to discovering the Gullah heritage and touring historic forts, each expert-led outing offers a deeper look at the landscapes, wildlife, and history that shape our region—from Hilton Head Island to Port Royal Sound and beyond.
Into the Wild
Step off the beaten path and explore the rich natural and cultural heritage of the Lowcountry with our Offsite Excursions. From birding at Pinckney Island and kayaking Jarvis Creek to discovering the Gullah heritage and touring historic forts, each expert-led outing offers a deeper look at the landscapes, wildlife, and history that shape our region—from Hilton Head Island to Port Royal Sound and beyond.
BEACH
DISCOVERY TOUR
Ever wonder who makes those holes in the sand—or when and why sea turtles come ashore to nest? Join us for a guided beach walk and uncover the secrets of Hilton Head Island’s shoreline. Spot beach finds, trace the life cycles of shell-dwelling creatures, and learn how tides constantly reshape the coast.
Meet at Fish Haul Beach Park, a quiet gem on Port Royal Sound. This peaceful spot—where mudflats meet sandy stretches—is ideal for roaming and learning. We'll begin with a brief orientation at the picnic tables near the beach path, then head out to explore this ever-changing marine environment.
Register NowBEACH
DISCOVERY TOUREver wonder who makes those holes in the sand—or when and why sea turtles come ashore to nest? Join us for a guided beach walk and uncover the secrets of Hilton Head Island’s shoreline. Spot beach finds, trace the life cycles of shell-dwelling creatures, and learn how tides constantly reshape the coast.
Meet at Fish Haul Beach Park, a quiet gem on Port Royal Sound. This peaceful spot—where mudflats meet sandy stretches—is ideal for roaming and learning. We'll begin with a brief orientation at the picnic tables near the beach path, then head out to explore this ever-changing marine environment.
BIRDING
AT PINCKNEY ISLAND
Join an experienced birder for a guided walking tour through the scenic Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. Equipped with a high-quality spotting scope, your guide will help you observe and identify a wide variety of bird species across the island’s diverse natural habitats—including salt marshes, maritime forests, and freshwater ponds.
While bird species vary with the seasons, the Lowcountry is home to a stunning array of resident birds and is located along the Atlantic Flyway—a major migratory route traveled by millions of birds each year. No matter the time of year, there's always a remarkable diversity of birds to observe.
- Audience: Adult education program tailored for ages 13 and up. No participants under 13, please.
- Location: Meet in the parking lot of Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. Located between the mainland and Hilton Head Island. There are no restrooms on Pinckney Island.
- Distance & Terrain: Approximately 1.5-mile walk on uneven terrain. Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended.
- What to Bring: Binoculars (a limited number will be available to share).
BIRDING
AT PINCKNEY ISLAND
Join an experienced birder for a guided walking tour through the scenic Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. Equipped with a high-quality spotting scope, your guide will help you observe and identify a wide variety of bird species across the island’s diverse natural habitats—including salt marshes, maritime forests, and freshwater ponds.
While bird species vary with the seasons, the Lowcountry is home to a stunning array of resident birds and is located along the Atlantic Flyway—a major migratory route traveled by millions of birds each year. No matter the time of year, there's always a remarkable diversity of birds to observe.
- Audience: Adult education program tailored for ages 13 and up. No participants under 13, please.
- Location: Meet in the parking lot of Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. Located between the mainland and Hilton Head Island. There are no restrooms on Pinckney Island.
- Distance & Terrain: Approximately 1.5-mile walk on uneven terrain. Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended.
- What to Bring: Binoculars (a limited number will be available to share).
DOLPHIN & NATURE
CRUISE
Explore the waters and salt marshes of Broad Creek on this guided cruise led by a Coastal Discovery Museum docent. You’ll learn about Lowcountry wildlife and habitats as you watch for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, river otters, blue crabs, eastern oysters, and a variety of birds.
Meets at the Broad Creek Marina on Hilton Head.
This cruise is offered from March through October. The final 2025 cruise is on Friday, October 17.
Register NowDOLPHIN & NATURE
CRUISE
Explore the waters and salt marshes of Broad Creek on this guided cruise led by a Coastal Discovery Museum docent. You’ll learn about Lowcountry wildlife and habitats as you watch for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, river otters, blue crabs, eastern oysters, and a variety of birds.
Meets at the Broad Creek Marina on Hilton Head.
This cruise is offered from March through October. The final 2025 cruise is on Friday, October 17.
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
Join a museum docent for a walking tour of the defenses surrounding Port Royal Sound. You'll visit the ruins of Hilton Head’s steam cannon—an unusual weapon built during the Spanish-American War (1898) —and learn the surprising story behind this coastal defense project.
The tour continues through the island’s Civil War history, with visits to the site of the Battle of Port Royal Sound and the earthworks remains of two Union forts: Fort Sherman and Fort Walker (later renamed Fort Welles). You'll also hear about the civilian town that grew around the Union base and the influential figures who shaped Hilton Head during its time as the Headquarters of the Department of the South.
This two-hour tour brings the island’s military and social history to life in an unforgettable way. Not recommended for children under 7.
Register NowFORTS
OF PORT ROYAL
Join a museum docent for a walking tour of the defenses surrounding Port Royal Sound. You'll visit the ruins of Hilton Head’s steam cannon—an unusual weapon built during the Spanish-American War (1898) —and learn the surprising story behind this coastal defense project.
The tour continues through the island’s Civil War history, with visits to the site of the Battle of Port Royal Sound and the earthworks remains of two Union forts: Fort Sherman and Fort Walker (later renamed Fort Welles). You'll also hear about the civilian town that grew around the Union base and the influential figures who shaped Hilton Head during its time as the Headquarters of the Department of the South.
This two-hour tour brings the island’s military and social history to life in an unforgettable way. Not recommended for children under 7.
Register NowGULLAH 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
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 NowKAYAK 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.
WADDELL MARICULTURE
CENTER TOURS
Sept 9, Oct 7, Nov 4 – 10-11:30 am.
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
WADDELL MARICULTURE
CENTER TOURS
Sept 9, Oct 7, Nov 4 – 10-11:30 am.
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