*This tour is currently offered for private groups.
Please email info@coastalexpeditions.com for private bookings.

We’re going to explore the Santee Delta by boat, meandering through some of the beautiful blackwater creeks that intersect the North and South Santee Rivers.  It’s unbelievable this time of year with ospreys, swallow-tailed kites, Mississippi kites, American alligators, bottlenose dolphins and other fauna inhabiting this unique ecosystem.

What makes this trip exciting for us is that we’ll be taking the boat up Hampton Creek and dock at Hampton Plantation for a guided walkabout of this State Historic Site and National Historic Landmark.

Hampton Plantation was a colonial-era rice plantation and is now an interpretive site for the system of slavery, telling the stories of enslaved people from the time of rice cultivation through emancipation.

In the mid-1900’s, it was the home of South Carolina’s first poet laureate, Archibald Rutledge.  The grounds of Hampton Plantation inspired his works, including Home by the River.

After some time to walk the trails along Hampton Creek and explore the camellia garden by Rutledge’s gravesite near the house, we’ll get back on the boat to return to the landing on the Santee.

This trip is scheduled to be led by Capt. Chris Crolley, a guide with nearly 30 years of experience that Garden & Gun named “one of South Carolina’s most knowledgeable naturalists.”

ACTIVITY LEVEL
This trip combines a boat cruise with a walkabout at Hampton Plantation.  At Hampton, you can choose  to explore the grounds on the guided walk or take it easy.  Bathrooms are available at Hampton Plantation.

TRIP DURATION
5 hours

WHAT TO WEAR
Dress in layers appropriate for the weather, hat, and shoes that stay on your feet (not flip flops).

WHAT TO BRING
Drinking water, sunscreen, insect repellent, bagged lunch and snacks. Binoculars if you have them!

BOAT & CAPTAIN
You’ll be on a custom-built, Coast Guard-certified vessel with the capacity to hold 18 people. Your captain is a seasoned naturalist with a 100-ton captain’s license.  Safety is paramount on our excursions, and you’ll feel confident with the condition of our vessels and training of our captains.

WEATHER
Weather (thunderstorms or high winds) may impact this excursion. Cancellations usually occur due to lightning, thunder or high winds and we will make sure to reschedule your group if needed. Our general cancellation policies apply unless our experts determine it is potentially unsafe or unwise to venture out. In the event that we decide to cancel due to weather, we will make every effort to call you at least two hours before your departure and help you reschedule or credit/refund the full cost of your trip.

GRATUITY
Gratuity is not included in your tour price. Our guides go above and beyond to make sure you have a fantastic time out on the water! Average gratuity ranges from 15%–25% of your tour cost based on your experience. It is not required, but always greatly appreciated!

NEED TO CANCEL?
You’ll need to cancel 72-hours prior to the trip or you will not be eligible for a refund for the tour.

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