When Coastal Expeditions was created in 1992, we had our spot on Shem Creek near the public boat landing as our only hub. In addition to offering service on Shem Creek we ventured out to other places, leading kayaking tours to hidden spots in the ACE Basin and Francis Marion National Forest. We were 100% a kayak livery.

AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY

In 1994, we had the chance to bid on the federal contract for the Bulls Island Ferry in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge.  This was just a few years after Hurricane Hugo made landfall in the region, and Bulls Island had taken the brunt of the storm, suffering from high winds and a 20-foot surge. With the island in a recovery phase (nearly every pine tree was flattened across this 5000-acre barrier island), no one was interested in holding this contract.

Coastal Expeditions was the only company to bid on the contract that year.

Charleston Magazine wrote a great article about the impacts of Hurricane Hugo on Bulls Island.  

As a young company with eager employees, we were excited about this opportunity, and our founder Anne Gould bought the old Dewees Island Ferry to use as the passenger boat. Suddenly, we were expanding our tour experiences into a completely different ecosystem. With the new Bulls Island Outpost, Coastal Expeditions began to offer more than kayaking, including boat tours and field trips in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge.

ALONG THE WAY

In following years, Coastal Expeditions had outposts on the Isle of Palms and Folly Creek, allowing us to lead ecotours to see places like the Morris Island Lighthouses and kayak out to Capers Island.

But as we began to grow as an environmental education company, those outposts didn’t meet our mission anymore. The Folly spot was located right by Folly Road and the IOP outpost was at a busy marina, so they just didn’t give the experience we wanted to start your adventure.

While change is always bittersweet, by the time we closed these outposts we were relieved. And it opened space for wilder spots on the coast.

AN ISLAND PARADISE

When the opportunity to work with Kiawah River on Johns Island came about, we were ready to make that our newest outpost.  Located just steps from The Dunlin Hotel, this sweet spot has become one of our favorites, with wildlife opportunities that can’t be matched.

Every moment out here feels like a quiet retreat, and we’re able to create unique tours like the Kiawah River Paddle+Hike. Roseate spoonbills, wood storks, eagles and ospreys inhabit this beautiful outpost, and our tours here are wildlife-rich.

EXPANDING SOUTH

Around the same time, South Carolina State Parks reached out to us to see if we’d be interested in running a new passenger ferry service to a barrier island called St. Phillips Island. They had just purchased the island from conservationist Ted Turner and made it part of Hunting Island State Park near Beaufort.

After a visit to this National Natural Landmark, we were in, and we made plans to open up in Beaufort.  The state didn’t have a dock where we could keep a boat, so we purchased a few acres on Ward’s Creek near the park entrance on St. Helena Island and created an outpost.

©South Carolina State Parks

Located at the gateway to the ACE Basin, this spot evokes Pat Conroy-lyricism, with sweeping views of salt marsh and shrimp boats. It gives us the chance to lead kayak tours and boat excursions from this location.  Side note:  this is the most dolphin-rich places we’ve ever been, and in the four years that we’ve led tours from here, we’ve had ONE DOLPHIN-WATCHING TOUR that didn’t see dolphins. 

The downtown Beaufort outpost is a sister location to our St. Helena outpost and we lead Beaufort history and wildlife boat tours and private charters from the marina on Bay Street. We couldn’t be that close to Beaufort and not be a part of it!

OUR HEARTPATH

All of that to say that at our heart, Coastal Expeditions a passion project led by about 20 people who love to just get out there and show you the most beautiful places we can find.  Each outpost gives us a different way to experience the history, culture, wildlife and landscapes of the Lowcountry. No matter where you find yourself on a tour or rental, you’ll have an experience that encompasses a true sense of place.

A portion of every tour and rental (as well as 100% of retail purchases) support the work of the Coastal Expeditions Foundation.

The Shem Creek Flagship is the perfect spot for renting kayaks in Charleston. We’re located at the quiet end of the creek and we have a big, private dock for your adventure to begin.