Top Things to do in Coastal South Carolina
Top Hotels in Coastal South Carolina
- 1. Cambria Hotel Mount Pleasant - Charleston
- 2. Homewood Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront
- 3. Francis Marion Hotel
- 4. Dayton House Resort
- 5. Ocean Reef Resort
- 6. Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island
- 7. Best Western Airport Inn & Suites
- 8. Beach House Resort, Hilton Head Island
- 9. Town & Country Inn and Suites
- 10. Sea Crest Oceanfront Resort
Things to do in Coastal South Carolina, Coastal South Carolina: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas
Miles of white sand and romantic island resorts beckon from the hem of the Palmetto State. Families gravitate to Myrtle Beach and the 60-mile span of Grand Strand, where over 100 championship golf courses, tennis courts and nightclubs await. Charlestons hundreds of heritage buildings, and irresistible charm, are part of its allure. Beach resorts at Kiawah Island, Seabrook and Edisto Island make for romantic getaways. Marshes, moss-bearded palms and oak groves create ambiance in the haunting Lowcountry.
Restaurants in Coastal South Carolina
1. Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By LindafromDahinda
Great 1st time adventure to Boneyard Beach! I'm a shell ???? lover so that was my main focus this trip! Looking forward to coming again as this has so much to offer the nature lover. January was perfect! No bugs. 75° day with overcast. I had read hundreds of reviews and didn't see 2 pieces of advice I'll pass along. Bring a bike with a basket for shells. (Knobby Welks are heavy!) It may be difficult to ride on the sand however I think it could've worked ok OR leave it after the 1.5 mile walk from boat to beach. It's another 1.25 miles to where the welks are. The other item is I've found that there's a bug spray with Pecaridin in it made by Avon. (Not Skin so soft). This stuff works on tics, biting flies, noseeums, and more! Trust me, I've tried everything and this really works. They even have it with SPF 30 too.
2. Hilton Head Island Birding Trail
3. The Center for Birds of Prey
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 992 reviews
Programs are offered Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:30am. Admission includes an impressive and awe-inspiring flight demonstration as well as a virtually guided walking tour of our resident bird aviaries. The Avian Conservation Center is a 501(c)3 registered non-profit whose mission is to serve as a unique and permanent resource for educational, avian health, conservation and research initiatives. Annual memberships are available.
Reviewed By Curious56503183287
We went with the inlaws for a little post-Thanksgiving-Day-Food-Coma fun, which also happened to be a day that Charleston experienced very cold weather. We had blast listening to the guides and interacting with the birds. My husband and I previously visited a Falconry site in Ireland and had really enjoyed the experience. At The Center for Birds of Prey, we had the opportunity to learn about different owls, including an Eurasian owl who flew between visitors- a very cool experience, as well as rescued bald eagles, and vultures. During the demonstration, we had the opportunity to see a variety of falcons/hawks and how they hunt. I highly recommend this experience to anyone interested in wildlife and animals. The children present with families ranged from infants to middle school aged. It was fun for the whole family.
4. Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Considered one of the most outstanding gifts to wildlife conservation in North America, the Yawkey Wildlife Center (YWC) was willed to the State of South Carolina in 1976 by the late Thomas A. Yawkey as a wildlife preserve and research area. The property is owned and managed by the SC Department of Natural Resources. The YWC includes North and South Islands, and most of Cat Island, three coastal islands located at the mouth of Winyah Bay in Georgetown County. Composed of approximately 24,000 acres of marsh, managed wetlands, upland longleaf pine forests, beaches and maritime forests, the property is dedicated as a wildlife preserve, research area and waterfowl refuge. In 1977 the YWC was dedicated as a Heritage Preserve under the Heritage Trust Program. Visitation is by appointment only and reservations are required.
Reviewed By amartin748 - Coastal South Carolina, United States
Follow Tom Yawkey Wildlife Refuge on Facebook to find out about the scheduled trips and see great pictures. Most Wednesdays and Thursdays have the overview trip, which is wonderful. Call the contact number to reserve your place, because the nice little bus only holds 14 at a time. Jim gives you so much history and wildlife info and answers any questions— you can tell he loves sharing this very special place with people, and he really has a wealth of information. You will not regret taking advantage of a visit to Yawkey!
5. Santee Coastal Reserve
6. Walk Anteaters , Kinkajou, Exotics &More
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Heather and Henry have been animal advocates for over 20 years. We have been rescuing and fostering a variety of animals, from Greyhound's to endangered turtles, to even rabbits. On this hour and a half tour, we educate you on the the variety of animals, cuddle, play and feed them all. To start with, we show you the variety of baby turtles, and tortoises. From endangered turtles, to rate and just cute turtles. Then we are off to feed Fred, our huge 85 pound Sulcata tortoise. From there we hand feed the Kinkajou, visit with Sid the Sloth or even feed him. The last part of the tour is to harness up an Anteater and walk them in the 10,000 acre wetland reserve, where you will see them climb trees and dig for ants. All these animals are able to be photographed, touched, fed and played with. These are our personal pets, and not zoo animals. So they are used to being handled daily and love to be cuddled. This tour is a fun interactive experience that is great for all ages.
7. Sea Pines Forest Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,231 reviews
Walk through mushy swamps on elevated boardwalks at this 400-acre nature preserve.
Reviewed By VerdiA - Duluth, United States
Sea Pines Forest Preserve is a great family outing, it has terrific and extensive bike trails, beaches, rental homes, and great places to eat as well as sights to see. There is a fee to enter but I understand it is for the upkeep and reforestation project. You can rent bikes and have them deliver them to your rental, beach and umbrella rental as well. You can also ride your bike on the beach. The pristine forest is well maintained and kept.
8. Audubon Swamp Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 246 reviews
A 60-acre preserve where visitors observe many wildlife habitats.
Reviewed By SmartCharleston - Charleston, United States
I have been here many times over the years. It is very relaxing and the perfect place for photographers!! The lake is beautiful and reflects the blue of the sky. There are lots of yellow water flowers in the summer. May birds nest there, egrets and their young have a colony. Because of the extra cost most tourist do not go there, so it is very quiet and tranquil.
9. Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 940 reviews
Encompassing four islands and 4,000 acres, the refuge aims to preserve and protect endangered natural habitats and species. At 1,200 acres, Pinckney is the largest of the refuge's islands and the only one open to the public.
Reviewed By justinw421
have comfortable walking shows, this place has a ton of walking paths, tons of birds and aviary life, they have a alligator in the ibis pond, lots to look at, tons of wetlands, be prepared for physical exertion, there is no restrooms, no water. There are a ton of mosquitoes, be forewarned, they will; swarm you, if you stop for even a second, cover yourself, and use repellent liberally.
10. ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
A series of river tributaries and 18th century plantation rice canals great for kayaking and canoeing.
Reviewed By Yehbut - Bluffton, United States
We had an adventure cruising to this cool wildlife refuge! There are so many things to see. Just the drive was spectacular and the entrance down the long gravel driveway with all the trees and wildlife. There are multiple paths you can take and bathrooms are located to the left of the main walkway near the house. Great place for birdwatchers and nature lovers. You can even sit directly on the rear porch of the home and take in the scenery. We go often because you never know what you may see each time you visit. The oaks with all the moss on the trees is awesome. We are lucky to have such a nice place to visit that is free to the public and great for families, couples, or singles. Bring your snacks and plenty of water this place is definitely secluded and not near any stores or restaurants. Even though the main gate is currently closed you can park and walk right in with no worries. Keep an eye out nature and it’s creatures are all around. Thank you to all the staff that keep this place clean and natural for every traveler!
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