Hello, Adventurers! Welcome back to the Coastal Expeditions blog! If this is your first time visiting our blog, we’re happy to have you here. We are all about nature, adventure, and making the most out of the beautiful outdoors of South Carolina. If you enjoy all things hiking, paddling, kayaking, and spending time outdoors, you’ve come to the right place! Here on the blog, we dive deep into different habitats, excursions, conservation efforts, and nature programs. Our site is filled with interactive maps, destination guides, and educational resources. Speaking of educational resources, The Outdoor School consists of afterschool programs, weekly camps, school field trips, and more! We offer hands-on workshops taught by highly-trained guides on wilderness skills, birding, identifying native plants, sustainability, kayaking, and camping. Basically, anything you want to learn about, we teach! If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take a look around our site to learn more about our offerings. Our last article discussed important outdoor survival tips and skills that you should know. Today, we’ll be breaking down some of the best day trips in the South Carolina Lowcountry. If you’re interested in finding out what beautiful places the Lowcountry has to offer, you’re in the right place! 

Spring and summer are fast approaching, which means it’s prime time to get outdoors and explore! The Lowcountry has a mild, subtropical climate all year round, which is ideal for spending time outdoors. Not everyone has time for a week-long vacation, so it’s fortunate that the gorgeous Lowcountry has so many different places that are perfect for a day trip if you are in the area. Here are just a few of our favorite places for day trips!

Isle of Palms

This beautiful area is well known for its beaches and eateries. Located about 12 miles from historic Charleston, the Isle of Palms is nestled on a barrier island of the same name. This residential and resort community offers golfing, kayaking, sailing, tennis, fishing, surfing, paddleboarding, and more. It is highly revered for its relaxing “island lifestyle”. This is a great place to enjoy an oceanfront dinner after exploring downtown Charleston. Whether you want to go for a bike ride along the beach, enjoy some fresh Lowcountry seafood, or simply relax on the beach, the Isle of Palms won’t disappoint– But you may find it hard to leave after just a day! Coastal Expeditions offers guided eco-tours of the Isle of Palms, including a family kayak tour and paddleboard tour. Keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, and pelicans!

Folly Beach

Located on Folly Island, just north of Charleston, Folly Beach is a family-friendly beach. Every year, surfers, fishermen, and beach lovers flock to Folly Beach. Known as “the Edge of America”, it is home to a vast, gorgeous pier, a variety of restaurants and bars, live music, and excellent opportunities to sail, paddleboard, surf, and more. The two most popular sites for surfing at Folly Beach are the pier and the Washout. Want to surf for the first time? There are plenty of surfboard rentals and lessons. Folly Beach’s iconic pier, officially named the Edward S. Taylor Folly Beach Fishing Pier, stretches more than 1,000 feet into the ocean, has been attracting beachgoers since the 1930s. In addition to the beach and piers, Folly Beach offers eco-tours and excursions for sightseeing and getting a closer look at the natural beauty of the area. This marvelous place also provides amazing views of the Morris Island Lighthouse, built in 1872. Consider taking a day trip to Folly Beach to experience the laid-back environment of the lovely beach town, hit the waves, enjoy some seafood, or simply take in the views!

Bluffton

Known as the heart of the Lowcountry, Bluffton features many opportunities to explore history. Bluffton is home to the Heyward House, built as a summer home for a plantation owner in 1841. It now serves as a museum, and is included as a stop on the Historic Bluffton Walking Tour. The tour takes you through one mile of Historic Bluffton’s antebellum homes and two National Historic Registry Churches. Bluffton is also home to the Shell Art Trail, a self-guided public art trail. This trail features 21 giant oyster sculptures, individually painted by local artists. Visitors can enjoy looking at these wonderful works of art while learning about the oyster: one of the Lowcountry’s most important resources. This promotes the importance of the area’s marine ecosystem and helps marine restoration efforts. Bluffton offers festivals and events, art galleries, a farmer’s market, museums, and shopping. It is also home to the May River, which offers eco-tours through Lowcountry marshes with spectacular views.

Bulls Island

Bulls Island is the largest of four barrier islands within the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. This 66,000-acre wildlife refuge is home to a maritime forest, wetlands, creeks, and remote beaches. It is an uninhabited island that is home to a variety of wildlife, including endangered species. Bulls Island is known for its bird life– In fact there are more than 275 species of birds on or near the island. It’s a bird lover’s paradise! In addition to birds, you are bound to see alligators and dolphins in the spring, and more dolphins and sea turtles in the spring. It is also home to some of the most sacred and important trees in South Carolina like Magnolias, Palmettos, Loblolly Pines, and cedar trees. Since this is a completely undeveloped island, you’ll want to pack everything you’ll need for the day in a backpack, including food and snacks. Coastal Expeditions is proud to run the only ferry to Bulls Island itself, known as Caretta, giving you the opportunity to explore 16 miles of trails and roads. You might even find interesting shells!

Middleton Place

This historic landmark and museum is located just 15 miles northwest of Charleston along the Ashley River. Built as a plantation in the 1730s, it features stable yards containing historic breeds including cashmere goats and Belgian horses, ethereal gardens, an inn, restaurant, and shops in addition to the house museum. It is a great opportunity to learn about the history of the estate, including the lives of enslaved people who once lived and worked there. Take a tour of the museum, stroll through some of America’s oldest landscaped gardens, and then get on a boat with Coastal Expeditions and tour the protected Ashley River corridor. This allows you to learn about the natural history of this blackwater ecosystem. We also offer kayak tours of the Ashley River, allowing you to see indigenous flora and fauna, including American alligators, great blue herons, and bald eagles. Middleton Place and Coastal Expeditions can provide an immersive experience and unique perspective on the natural and cultural history of the area.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island offers 12 miles of beautiful beaches, an ultimate golfing experience, guided wildlife tours, arts and culture, and more. There are many family-friendly activities that are perfect for a day of exploring what Hilton Head Island has to offer, including paddleboarding and tubing, with opportunities to see dolphins and other wildlife. Helicopter tours are also offered, allowing visitors to see breathtaking views from above. One of the must-see spots is Harbour Town, which is great for sunset strolls, shopping, and dining. It also is home to the Harbour Town Lighthouse, which allows admission for amazing views from the top. The inside of the lighthouse also features the Island’s rich history and an overview of the creation of the lighthouse that is a national landmark today. Just off the beach is the Coastal Discovery Museum, with 68 acres of trails, native gardens, a butterfly habitat, and more. Hilton Head Island touts its relaxing, laid-back, and welcoming atmosphere that keeps tourists coming back for more. 

As you can see, the Lowcountry offers a little something for everyone! There are so many great places to explore, whether on a day trip or for a little longer if you have the time. We hope that you found this article informative and helpful! As always, we thank you for reading and we hope to see you back on our blog soon! If you’re looking to explore the Lowcountry with your kids, check out our offerings on our website to find the adventure which suits you best! We offer kid-friendly tours as well as kids programs, camps, and kayak lessons. Our tours are led by knowledgeable, approachable naturalists and sea captains who are eager to answer your questions! Until next time, readers. Get out there and explore! Adventure awaits!