Paddle Under the Light of a Full Moon! October 5 & 6: Find Out More
ST. HELENA & HUNTING ISLAND
The gateway to the wild coast.
Tucked along the Harbor River just minutes from Hunting Island and Fripp, our St. Helena Island Outpost is your launch point for exploring the Sea Islands—by boat, kayak, or paddleboard. From the blackwater creeks to the beaches of St. Phillips Island, this is year-round Lowcountry at its wildest.
Tours, private charters, and rentals offered daily.
Kayak & Paddleboard Rentals
Available daily with walk-up access. Explore wildlife-rich creeks at your own pace—no experience needed.
Turner House Expedition
Stay on St. Phillips Island in Ted Turner’s old homes—wander untouched beaches, hike forests & explore with guides.
Hunting Island Dolphin Cruise
Dolphins, almost guaranteed. Cruise calm waters near Hunting Island with a naturalist and spot wildlife. 1.5hr.
Full Moon Kayak Tour
Paddle under the glow of the full moon through quiet creeks—an unforgettable Lowcountry experience. 2hr.
St. Phillips Island Ferry
Dolphins, birds, forest trails, and remote beaches—access it all by boat and tram on this wild island. 6 hr.
St. Helena Kayak Tour
Explore hidden creeks with a naturalist guide—dolphins, birds, and wild beauty around every bend. 2hr.
Hunting Island Beach Drop
Skip the crowds. Park with ease, hop on the boat, and land on a wild beach made for wandering. 4hrs.
St. Helena Sunset Cruise
Cruise into golden hour with dolphins, birds, and sweeping views on this peaceful sunset adventure. 1.5hr.
Little Capers Island Stargazing Tour
Watch the Milky Way rise or meteors fall on this special trip! 4hrs.
Outpost Location
Coastal Expeditions at St. Helena Island
1928 Sea Island Parkway
St. Helena Island, SC 29920
(843)884-7684
Open daily, 8 am-5 pm
The Give Back
A percentage of every Coastal Expeditions adventure supports the work of the Coastal Expeditions Foundation, with a focus on environmental education, loggerhead sea turtles, seabird nesting islands and veterans.
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Top Gear. Deep Roots.
With decades of guiding experience and high-quality equipment, our team makes it easy to explore the Lowcountry—whether you’re paddling to spot dolphins or hopping a ferry to a wild island.
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Official SC State Parks Partner
We’re proud to be contracted by South Carolina State Parks to operate the St. Phillips Island Ferry from Hunting Island—offering exclusive access to one of the wildest, most beautiful barrier islands on the East Coast.
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Private Dock. Wild Setting.
Our St. Helena campus sits on quiet Ward’s Creek at the gateway to the ACE Basin. With private parking, restrooms, and a scenic dock, it’s the perfect launch point for a day of adventure.
Where Frogmore Stew Meets Forrest Gump
Launching from our spot on St. Helena Island, your kayak journey begins next door one of the Lowcountry’s most iconic shrimp docks—the Gay Fish Company. This family-run dock has been working the waters since the 1940s, and their legacy is woven into the culture of this place.
As you paddle past the working boats tied up at the docks, you’ll drift through living history: it was a member of this family who gave “Frogmore Stew” its name in the 1960s, cementing the dish of shrimp, corn, sausage, and potatoes as a Southern classic. Paramount Pictures even bought 6,125 pounds of shrimp from their boats for the filming of Forrest Gump, making the dock itself a part of movie history.
After your time on the water, you can taste the story for yourself. Walk across the road to the award-winning Shrimp Shack for a meal that’s as fresh as it gets, or grab some shrimp right off the boat to take home. It’s the perfect way to round out a day of paddling in Beaufort’s rich waters.
FEATURED TOUR
St. Phillips Island Ferry
Take a ferry ride to one of South Carolina’s last wild barrier islands—once owned by conservationist Ted Turner and now part of Hunting Island State Park. With untouched beaches, maritime forest trails, and incredible wildlife viewing, St. Phillips feels like a private escape into the wild. Come see why it’s one of the most extraordinary places on the South Carolina coast.
AGES 5-12
Kids Camps
Little Explorers, Big Discoveries
At St. Helena, we spark young imaginations with hands-on nature fun—tidepool discoveries, birdwatching, kayak paddles, and creekside crafts, all led by outdoor-loving guides.