Coastal Expeditions

Our annual fundraiser for sea turtles is coming up on July 12!

This family-friendly day on the beach of Bulls Island benefits the work of the sea turtle team. This sells out every year, so get your tickets soon!

Beach Drop for Sea Turtles | July 12 Join us on a special beach drop to the south end of Bulls Island to explore a wild beach where Loggerhead sea turtles nest.

spent a day with us (a couple of weeks ago) on the Black River in a section known as The Meadows in South Carolina’s newest state park.

🌳Look at that tree! And that sky!!

It’s always fun to be on the water, but it’s extra special to be out there with friends.

Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge is seeing about 35 loggerhead nests a day- more than some sea turtle patrols see in an entire season!

This week's update: meet the interns, learn about spacer eggs and adopt a nest!

Update 2: Sea Turtle Patrol Update The interns have joined the team right as nesting numbers are gearing up. Loggerhead sea turtle nesting season in Cape Romain, SC.

The Outfitter Shops at Shem & Kiawah River

Our outfitter shops are more just a meeting spot for your tour—it’s a curated collection of goods inspired by the Lowcountry. You’ll find Coastal Expeditions gear, coastal-inspired gifts, and thoughtfully chosen essentials for a day on the water.

Every purchase directly supports the Coastal Expeditions Foundation, funding loggerhead sea turtle nest protection in Cape Romain and providing free environmental education to South Carolina students.

www.coastalexpeditions.com

The Coastal Expeditions interns, Jenna and Layla, were out on Cape and Lighthouse Islands within 24 hours of their orientation. Since they've arrived, the refuge has averaged more than 30 nests a day! Here is a collection of photos from their first week.

As of today, the turtle team has recorded 633 nests and it looks like we're on track for a big year!

If you look at the first image of eggs on the beach, you'll see that some of the eggs are smaller than the others. These small eggs are normal to find, but they don't have a viable yolk or embryo inside. They are call "spacer eggs" and the National Park Service says that while they do not hatch, researchers believe they may help regulate nest temperature and moisture and improve gas exchange within the clutch.

As a reminder, the work of the sea turtle team is done under direction and permits of USFWS and SCDNR. If you see a loggerhead or nest, please do not touch or disturb.

FIRST LOOK: The pelicans are nesting on Crab Bank again- and they are there by the hundreds. We've haven't seen the island like this since 2017 and we are loving it.

To celebrate, we're offering small-group trips at sunrise and sunset to see the pelicans, terns, oystercatchers, gulls and other birds that are nesting on Crab Bank.

Don't miss this!

Crab Bank Bird Colony Cruise   The Pelicans have returned. For the first full nesting season since 2017, Eastern Brown Pelicans are nesting on Crab Bank Seabird Sanctuary. And there are hundreds. The island is back to the raucous nesting colony that we’ve watched since 1992 and we couldn’t be happier. After all, this littl...

June 7

We're heading out to see a Least Tern nesting colony on Sunday, June 7 from our St. Helena outpost near Beaufort.

As always, we'll be observing from a distance with a naturalist on board to put the well-being of these nesting birds first. It's a great opportunity for nature photographers and birders.

Least Turn Nesting Expedition LEAST TERN NESTING EXPEDITION Book Now! Overview Boat Ecotour + Island Beachcombing Join us for a remarkable guided experience to witness a nesting colony of Least Terns. Our naturalist guides will lead you to a designated viewing point where you’ll observe these threatened seabirds court, nest, a...

Kick off the summer by helping us keep one of Charleston’s favorite beaches clean! 😎

We’ve partnered with , a Charleston-founded company, on this post-Memorial Say beach sweep that is designed with families in mind.

The Coastal Expeditions Foundation will provide all the supplies and we’ll sweep the beach and nearby side streets near Sullivans Island Elementary.

Babiators is donating a portion of their Earth Day sales to the to help with our mission to keep Charleston- and our kids- wild. 🌿

We’ve partnered with Babiators to clean up the beach at Sullivans Island after the busy Memorial Day weekend!

Come out with the family to give back to the beach we all love and teach our kids simple and good ways to care for our oceans.

It’s a great kick off to the summer season!

Babiators, a Charleston-founded company, is is donating a percentage of their Earth Day sales to the Coastal Expeditions Foundation to help with our mission of keeping Charleston wild.

Sign up here: https://coastalexpeditions.com/event/sullivans-island-beach-sweep-with-babiators/

Getting on the water is easy this weekend.
Just call or text 843-884-7684 (or book online) or rent kayaks at Shem, Kiawah River or St. Helena!