CNPA - Outings

Sunrise and wildlife guided tour. The Savannah River is the lifeblood of the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge which provides rich habitats that support a diverse array of migratory and resident wildlife. The park is open from sunrise to sunset.

ADDRESS: Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive, Hardeeville, SC

LEAVE HOTEL: 5:30am; driving time 58 min.

PARTICIPANT LIMIT: 15

FACILITIES: No, however they are available at a nearby gas stations, etc.

EQUIPMENT: Normal range of lenses, wide angle to telephoto. Polarizing and neutral density filters, tripod, water and snacks.

Pinckney Island NWR/Hilton Head Island - 6:30am-11:00am (Friday or Saturday)

A guided sunrise shoot. Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is an important link in the chain of wildlife refuges along the Atlantic Flyway, attracting thousands of migratory birds annually. The refuge also provides nesting habitat for wading birds such as ibis, egrets, and herons. Approximately 1 mile of walking will be necessary to reach the nesting areas.

ADDRESS: Pinckney Island NWR, Hilton Head Island, SC

LEAVE HOTEL: 5:30am; driving time 51 min.

PARTICIPANT LIMIT: 15

FACILITIES: No, however they are available at a nearby gas stations, etc.

EQUIPMENT: Normal range of lenses, wide angle to telephoto. Tripod, water and snacks.

Fish Haul Creek/Hilton Head Island: 7:00am -11:30am (Friday or Saturday)

Fish Haul Creek is a guided tour for sunrise and shore birds. The tide is expected to be high at the onset of this excursion allowing sunrise, landscape and seascape shots. The tour will continue as the tide ebbs to observe shore birds as they return to feed. Warning: Be careful when exploring the area around Fish Haul beach. "Plough mud," also called pluff mud is a thick, clay-like, dark brown mud that is made up of decaying matter, including marsh grass, fish, and animals. The mud is unique to South Carolina's salt marshes. Pluff mud can be very dangerous if you start to sink.

ADDRESS: 120 Mitchelville Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC
LEAVE HOTEL: 6:00am; driving time 54 min.
PARTICIPANT LIMIT: 15
FACILITIES: Yes
EQUIPMENT: Normal range of lenses, wide angle to telephoto. Polarizing and neutral density filters, tripod, water and snacks.

Audubon Newhall Preserve Docent Tour/Hilton Head Island - 1:00pm - 2:00pm OR 2:00pm - 3:00pm (Friday or Saturday)

This is a guided tour with a docent provided by Hilton Head Audubon Society. The Audubon Newhall Preserve is a 50-acre nature preserve that is owned and operated by the Hilton Head Island Audubon Society, a non-profit and volunteer organization. The Preserve has a series of interconnected trails of about a mile total. It is the mission of Hilton Head Audubon to protect the Audubon Newhall Preserve as a native forest ecosystem for the benefit of its diverse ecosystem inhabitants and to manage and maintain the preserve on a sound economic footing, while improving access for appropriate human recreational and educational activities. The tour is free but donations are appreciated.

REGISTER: FRIDAY 1PM-2PM REGISTER: FRIDAY 2PM-3PM REGISTER: SATURDAY 1PM-2PM REGISTER: SATURDAY 2PM-3PM

ADDRESS: 55 Palmetto Bay Road, Hilton Head Island, SC

LEAVE HOTEL: 12:00pm or 1:00pm; driving time 57 min.

PARTICIPANT LIMIT: 10 (parking is limited)

FACILITIES: No, however they are available at a nearby gas station.

EQUIPMENT: Normal range of lenses, wide angle to telephoto. Polarizing and neutral density filters, tripod, water and snacks.

Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal - 4:00pm - 6:00pm (Friday)/4:00pm - 5:30pm (Saturday)

Cypress Wetlands is a beautiful section of coastal wetlands surrounded by a 0.6-mile paved trail loop that is wheelchair accessible. Birds that call the wetlands home include Snowy and Great Egrets, great blue herons, hawks, all 5 species of herons as well as egrets, Wood Storks, Anhinga, and Ibis. Abundant alligators and turtles will also be visible. Due to the variety of birds and asynchronous nesting behavior, expect to see young of several species and ages.

ADDRESS: Port Royal & 1700 Paris Ave, Port Royal, SC

LEAVE HOTEL: 3:45pm; driving time 15 min.

PARTICIPANT LIMIT: 15

FACILITIES: No, however they are available at a nearby gas stations, etc.

EQUIPMENT: Normal range of lenses, wide angle to telephoto. Polarizing and neutral density filters, tripod, water and snacks.

Harbor Island Birds & Sunset- 6:00pm - 8:30pm (Friday or Saturday)

Harbor Island is globally recognized as an important bird area making it a great location to enjoy South Carolina’s wildlife. It’s also one of the only places that Wilson Plovers, and other coastal birds can nest safely–because of the incredible community on Harbor Island that keeps them safe. Large flocks of migratory shorebirds also rely on Harbor Island’s south beach to eat and rest on their 1000+ mile long migration. It is important to protect these vulnerable birds for future generations to learn from and enjoy. A $10.00 donation required for beach, bird and turtle protection. (The walk from the parking area to the beach is approximately ½ mi.)

ADDRESS: Harbor Island, SC

LEAVE HOTEL: 5:30pm; driving time 27 min.

PARTICIPANT LIMIT: 15

FACILITIES: No, however they are available at a nearby gas station.

FEE: $10 donation required for beach.

EQUIPMENT: Normal range of lenses, wide angle to telephoto. Polarizing and neutral density filters, tripod, water and snacks.

Hunting Island Boneyard Beach Sunset - 6:00pm - 8:30pm (Friday or Saturday)

High tide offers panoramic water views. Low tide offers more exposed beach width to view the relics of downed trees. Afternoon low tides allow for excellent light and views. The tour will focus on the bone yard beach. The boneyard is reached by walking from the Nature Center about 15 minutes on a trail through the forest. There are bathroom facilities at the Nature Center.

ADDRESS: 2555 Sea Island Parkway, Hunting Island, SC

LEAVE HOTEL: 5:15pm; driving time 41 min.

PARTICIPANT LIMIT: 15

FACILITIES: Yes, at Nature Center.

EQUIPMENT: Normal range of lenses, wide angle to telephoto. Polarizing and neutral density filters, tripod, water and snacks.

Sunset Eco Tour - 6:30pm - 8:00pm (Saturday Only)

This tour on a 63′ catamaran around the Port Royal Sound will be guided by a naturalist, who will describe the importance of this critical watershed for the South Carolina Lowcountry. You may see resident bottlenose dolphin as well as a variety of bird species on this sunset tour. Food and drinks, catered by the legendary Salty Dog restaurant, will be available for an additional charge. If you wish to come early, the Maritime Center features exhibits and live animals, and is a wonderful local resource. The Maritime Center closes at 5pm, and one can board the catamaran at approximately 6pm. The Maritime Center features exhibits, live animals, as well as indoor and outdoor hands-on educational opportunities where visitors of all ages can learn about the Port Royal Sound.

ADDRESS: 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie SC

LEAVE HOTEL: 5:45pm; driving time 16 min.

PARTICIPANT LIMIT: 60

FACILITIES: Yes

FEE: $40 per person

EQUIPMENT: Normal range of lenses, wide angle to telephoto.