St. Phillips Island Expedition

Come explore St. Phillips Island with Coastal Expeditions South! Nestled between expansive estuaries and the Atlantic Ocean, this incredible barrier island ripples with old growth maritime forest and a variety of wildlife like fox squirrels, alligators, and bald eagles. Not only is this incredible island one of South Carolina’s newest State Parks, it is also a National Natural Landmark and under easement with The Nature Conservancy. The South Carolina State Park Service purchased the island from media mogul Ted Turner in 2017 and Coastal Expeditions began leading tours of the island in June 2020.

Meet at the Nature Center on Hunting Island at 10:30 am - the trip leaves on the 11AM Ferry; you will arrive back at the Nature Center by 5pm.

From the nature center you will take a tram down to the ferry where you will join your naturalist for a 45-minute interpretive boat ride through the vast estuaries between Hunting Island and St. Phillips Island. Once you arrive at St. Phillips you will board another tram that takes you on a safari-style ride through the interior of the park and gives you the opportunity to learn about the unique features of St. Phillips from your guide. From there you’ll have 2 hours of free time where you can either join the naturalist for an interpretive hike or explore the island on your own. There will be a tram service provided to take you back to the dock where you’ll catch the boat back to Hunting Island. Be prepared for walking on uneven terrain, climbing steps into and out of the boat, as well as unpredictable weather. To maximize your experience on the island, we recommend you bring plenty of water and snacks, a rain coat, bug spray & sunscreen, good walking shoes, light layers with long sleeves and pants, binoculars, and a camera! 

Cost and How to Register: $55 includes a ticket on the St Phillips Island Ferry with a USCG certified Master Captain and Naturalist Guide; Park admission is not included and is due at the Nature Center upon arrival (senior discounts are available; SC State Park/FOHI passes are accepted). Gratuity is not included. Please bring your form of payment with you on the boat—we will charge after the trip! You can register today at https://www.coastalexpeditions.com/product/st-phillips-island-ferry/ by clicking "Book Now" - book the 11AM trip on October 19! To keep the cost low, this tour is open to the public, so the sooner you can book, the better!