Tours on Land
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.
FAMILY FRIENDLY
June, July, & August: Tuesdays from 10:00-11:30am.
September-May: Tuesdays from 2:00-3:30pm.
$12 Adult / $7 Child (ages 4-12) / Children under the age of 4 are free.
Tour participants will be guided through a walking tour of Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge by an experienced bird watcher. With a combination of natural habitats including Salt Marsh, Maritime Forest and open fields, the site allows participants to see many different species of birds. Depending on the season, diverse birds can be spotted: Summer Tanager, Eastern Kingbird, Painted Bunting, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Egrets, Herons and many, many others.
Wednesdays at 7:30-9:30am (Except in January and July).
$12 per person (ages 12+) / No children under the age of 12 please.
Meets at Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Suggest good walking shoes and your own binoculars.
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.
September-May: Thursdays from 2:00pm-4:00pm.
June, July, & August: Thursdays from 10:00-12:00pm.
$12 Adult / $7 Child (ages 4-12) / Not recommended for children under the age of 4.
Tour meets at Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Includes 1.5 miles round trip of walking.
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.
Wednesdays from 10:00-11:30am.
$12 Adult / $7 Child (ages 7-12) / No children under the age of 7 please.
A partnership with the Coastal Discovery Museum, Hilton Head Island Land Trust and the Mitchelville Preservation Project offers a tour to visit two historic sites connected to the Civil War and Reconstruction eras on Hilton Head Island.
Visit the site of the self-governing community of Mitchelville (est. 1862) to learn about the Port Royal Experiment and how freedom and reconstruction impacted the new citizens who lived there. Nearby, join a guide for a tour of Fort Howell, built in 1864 to protect the town of Mitchelville. Learn about the 32nd U.S. Colored Infantry troops who built the fort, the methods used to construct it, and the importance of its preservation. Preservation Project.
March -May & September – November: 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month from 9:30-11:30am. Please check the event calendar to confirm. (9/13, 9/27, 10/11, 10/25, 11/8, and 11/22)
$15 Adults / $10 Children (ages 6-12) / No children under the age of 6 please.