Pre and Post Conference Tours

Post-Conference Tours:
Wednesday, September 21st - Friday, September 23rd, 2011

Post Conference Tours

Sea Turtles by Coastal Discovery Museum

When: Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 / 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Length of Tour: 2 hours
Cost: Adult $20 & Child $15
How to Book: Contact Natalie Hefter (Coastal Discovery Museum) at nhefter[at]coastaldiscovery.org or 843-689-3033, ext. 225 or Book Online
Min: 10 people
Max: 2 groups of 10 people each

Description: An evening lecture and beach walk to educate participants about the threatened loggerhead sea turtle. Presentation given to the entire group, then 2 groups of 10 people proceed to the beach to examine the nesting habitat and nest sites. No guarantee of turtle sightings.

Special Instructions: Participants will be walking to the beach for a portion of this tour. A tour leader will escort the group to the nest site, which might be a short walk from the beach access.

Beaufort Kayak Tour

When: Thursday, September 22nd, 2011 / 8:30 AM – Noon / Pick-up will be at 7:15 am and return at 1:15 pm.
Length of Tour: 3 hours
Cost: Adult $55 & Child $45 (Price includes tour cost & round-trip transportation)
How to Book: Contact Joan Byrnes at coordinator[at]beaufortsc.org or 843-525-8531
Min: 10 People
Max: 14 People

Description: Beaufort Kayak Tours is a fully narrated tour of Beaufort and Hunting Island, specializing in easy-to-enter, stable kayaks while allowing guests to paddle with the current. Narration includes an emphasis on cultural and natural history interpretation. This tour will focus on the Salt Marsh Ecology and Barrier Island Geology. Website: Beaufortkayaktours.com

Special Instructions: Guests are asked to dress according to the weather; wear shoes that can get wet and bring at least 1 liter of drinking water. Guests interested in booking should mention the Ecotourism conference for the discounted rate. Bookings can be made by contacting Joan with the Visitor & Convention Bureau with the contact information listed above. Reservations will be accepted through September 20th.

Beaufort River Tours

When: Thursday, September 22nd, 2011 / 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM / Pick-up will be at 10:30 am and return at 2:00 pm.
Length of Tour: 1.5 hours
Cost: $25 per person (Price includes tour cost & round-trip transportation)
How to Book: Contact Joan Byrnes at coordinator[at]beaufortsc.org or 843-525-8531
Min: 10 People
Max: 24 People

Description: Captain Dick’s River Tours allow you to relax on board the Price of Tides boat to enjoy a dolphin watch; several species of shore & wading birds; hear information on the ecology of the salt marsh and view homes of planters along the shore. Ice cold beverages are provided on board during the tour. Web site: beaufortrivertours.com

Special Instructions: Guests are asked to dress according to the weather. Cameras are allowed.

Salt Marsh by Coastal Discovery Museum

When: Thursday, September 22nd, 2011 / 10:30 AM – Noon
Length of Tour: 1 1/2 hours
Cost: $10.00 Adult & $5.00 Child – shuttle cost is $18 per person / Total – Adult $28 & Child $23
How to Book: Contact Natalie Hefter (Coastal Discovery Museum) at nhefter[at]coastaldiscovery.org or 843-689-3033, ext. 225 or Book Online
Min: 4 People
Max: 20 People

Description: As one of the most productive environments on the planet, the Salt Marsh functions as a filter and a nursery for the coast. On this hands-on tour, you will see live oysters, crabs, and shrimp up-close. Learn how to trap and harvest blue crabs, how marsh plants adapt to the salt water, and why we should protect this important ecosystem.

Special Instructions: Good walking shoes are recommended. Water, sunscreen, bug spray, and a hat are recommended. The total length of this walk is around ¾ of a mile across an oyster shell pathway, boardwalks and grass.

Beach Discovery by Coastal Discovery Museum

When: Thursday, September 22nd, 2011 / 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Length of Tour: 2 hours
Cost: Adult $12 & Child $7 + shuttle cost $18 per person / Total: Adult $30 & Child $25
How to Book: Contact Natalie Hefter (Coastal Discovery Museum) at nhefter[at]coastaldiscovery.org or 843-689-3033, ext. 225 or Book Online
Min: 4 people
Max: 20 people

Description: Join us as we venture to the beach, through the maritime forest, to learn about the unique marine organisms living in our coastal zone. Participants will learn about common beach organisms and their strategies for survival as they wade through tide pools and examine specimens.

Special Instructions: Sturdy shoes that can get muddy (flip flops and sandals are not appropriate). Water, sunscreen, bug spray, and a hat are recommended. The total length of this walk is around one mile across a boardwalk, soft sand, packed sand and pathways.

Beachcombing Cruise to Remote Vanishing Island by Outside Hilton Head

When: Thursday, September 22, 2011 / 9:00 AM – 12 Noon
Length of Tour: 3 hours
Cost: Adult $55 & Child $50 + shuttle cost $18 per person / Total: Adult $73 & Child $68
How to Book: Call +1-800-686-6996 / Book Online
Min: 3
Max: n/a

Description: Take a cruise to our special off shore sand bar, Vanishing Island. This 3 hour boat cruise incorporates a 2-hour Eco Tour with the added bonus of getting off the boat on a remote sand bar near legendary Daufuskie Island. Search for shells, sand dollars, crabs, starfish, and the occasional sharks tooth or Native American artifact.

Special Instructions: Attire should be comfortable. The boat ride can be cool, even on a warm day, so bring outwear appropriate clothing (windbreaker and insulating layer, as necessary). Sun protection is important; strongly recommend a hat, sunglasses & sunscreen. Portable water bottle is recommended.

Birding by Coastal Discovery Museum

When: Friday, September 23, 2011 / 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Length of Tour: 2 hours
Cost: $12 + shuttle cost $18 per person / Total: $30
How to Book: Contact Natalie Hefter (Coastal Discovery Museum) at nhefter[at]coastaldiscovery.org or 843-689-3033, ext. 225 or Book Online
Min: 10 People
Max: 20 People

Description: This walk around our 68-acre property is led by an experienced bird-watcher. With a combination of habitats that includes the Salt Marsh, Maritime Forest, and open fields, participants may see many different species of birds.

Special Instructions: Suggest walking shoes and binoculars.

Blue Crabs by Coastal Discovery Museum

When: Friday, September 23, 2011 / 10:30 AM - Noon
Length of Tour: 1 ½ - 2 hours
Cost: $15.00 Adult & $10.00 Child – shuttle cost is $18 per person / Total – Adult $33 & Child $28
How to Book: Contact Natalie Hefter (Coastal Discovery Museum) at nhefter[at]coastaldiscovery.org or 843-689-3033, ext. 225 or Book Online
Min: 5 People
Max: 20 People

Description: Visit Jarvis Creek and learn about the life cycle and importance of the Atlantic Blue Crab living in our coastal waters. Participants will have a hands-on experience of harvesting, cooking, picking and tasting.

Special Instructions: There is very little walking on this tour, but participants will need to traverse oyster shell pathways and boardwalks. A hat, sunscreen, water and bug spray are recommended.

Daufuskie Island History & Artisans Excursion by Outside Hilton Head

When: Friday, September 23, 2011 / 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Length of Tour: 4 1/2 hours
Cost: $85 + shuttle cost $18 per person / Total: $103.00
How to Book: Call +1-800-686-6996 / Book Online
Min: 3
Max: n/a

Description: Tucked in between Hilton Head Island and the mainland-accessible only by boat-Daufuskie Island is truly unique. Join us for a tour of the ‘undeveloped’ side of this historic sea island located off the coast of southern South Carolina. Along with your captain & guide, you’ll visit numerous fascinating historic places that may include the White School, First Union African Baptist Church (built in 1882), the Praise House, the Mary Field’s School (memorialized by author Pat Conroy in his novel The Water is Wide, and the site of the Bloody Point Lighthouse. Daufuskie Island boasts several artisans studios which may be included on your tour.

"The Iron Fish" is a must see. Here, Metal Artist & Blacksmith Chase Allen forges timeless works of art out of steel that have been featured in Coastal Living & Southern Living magazines. Across the road is the Silver Dew Pottery where island native Lancy & Emily Burn have been producing an impressive array of functional, esthetic and art pottery since 1996. And recently opened The Daufuskie Gallery which displays a variety of work by more than a dozen artists, most of whom are residents of the island.