WOB - St. Phillips Island Outing - Sept. 22, 2023 @ 8:00 a.m.

With ancients dunes and a mature forest dominated by Spanish moss-draped live oaks, Southern magnolia and saw palmetto, St. Phillips Island is a nature lover’s paradise, providing critical habitat for alligators, sea turtles, bobcats and a myriad of seasonal and resident bird species, including bald eagles, roseate spoonbills and painted buntings. Departing from the Coastal Expeditions Beaufort basecamp on St. Helena Island, the Saint Phillips Island Ferry begins with a naturalist-led ecotour along the Story River to the St. Phillips Island dock. Bottlenose dolphins feed in these creeks with their calves, and birds like herons and egrets hunt along the shoreline.
SAFARI RIDE THROUGH THE ISLAND
At the dock on St. Phillips Island, we’ll board a tram that takes us through the maritime forest to the beach. Along this 3.5 mile tram tour, you’ll learn about the island and see wildlife like fox squirrels, raptors, ibis and painted buntings.
EXPLORE THE SHORELINE AND INLAND TRAILS
Once we arrive at the beach, you get to choose your adventure. Walk the beach and search for ocean treasures or hike some of the trail system within the maritime forest to look for birds, alligators and other wildlife. The Saint Phillips Island Ferry is a day in nature that you won’t forget.
We will meet at Coastal Expeditions Saint Helena basecamp at 8:00 a.m. Boat transportation and island time bring this experience to a total of approximately 5 hours.