Eco-Tours

• The Sea Pines Resort Nature Center. (March through August: Open daily; September through February: Thursday through Monday.) The Sea Pines Resort Nature Center is a must-visit site for families, nature gurus, historians, avid outdoor adventurers, and animal lovers alike. The center offers an array of animals and hands-on exhibits to give personal interaction with the South's finest nature treasures and examples of life. A gift shop, bike and kayak rentals are available on site. Price: Complimentary. No reservations required.
• Alligator Boat Tour. (Daily [March through November] and Forest Preserve Boat Tour [December through February]). Come aboard our jungle safari boat to get a close-up view of the abundant plant and animal life that thrives in the inland freshwater lakes of The Sea Pines Resort Forest Preserve. Search for the American alligator in its natural environment. Tour provided by Crawford Water Sports. Price for guests of The Sea Pines Resort and property owners: $19 per adult, $16 per child age 3 to 12; $5 per child age 2 and under. Price for all other guests: $21 per adult; $17 per child age 3 to 12; $5 per child age 2 and under. Alligator precautions: Do not feed, tease, or disturb the alligators; stay at least 60 feet away, when crabbing or fishing; move to a different location if an alligator approaches your bait.
• Kayak Expedition and Rentals. (Trip times vary and are tide-dependent.) The Sea Pines Resort Kayak Expeditions is located at the Nature Center, located in Harbour Town. This two-hour, all-inclusive tour begins with a brief instruction period. No prior experience is needed, and beginners are not only welcome - they're our specialty! The kayaks are stable, spacious, and will not tip over. Safety equipment is provided. You may choose to paddle by yourself in a single kayak, or share the experience in a tandem kayak. Enjoy the longest stretch of calm, protected waterways the island has to offer. Professional guides will instruct in kayak-handling skills and discuss our unique eco-system. You may view as many as 87 different bird species known to exist here, as well as otters, manatees, and even mink - all while learning about the delicate balance of our environment. Playful dolphins are abundant, and encounters are common. Group sizes are intimate, and private tours are available. Price for guests of The Sea Pines Resort and Sea Pines property owners: $28 per adult, $18 per child age 12 and under. Price for all other guests: $30 per adult, $20 per child age 12 and under. Kayak rentals are also available. You may choose to explore on your own, and be your own tour guide. Prior to leaving, you will be given instruction and provided with a chart of our area. Tandem kayaks can be rented for $20 per hour, and singles are $10 per hour. Rental times also vary, and are tide-dependent. For additional information or reservations, please contact the Recreation Department at (843) 842-1979.
• Forest Preserve Hayrides. (Thursdays, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.) Sit back, relax, and experience the animals and plant life of The Sea Pines Resort Forest Preserve. We'll search for turtles, alligators, birds, and other critters as we ride past Heritage Farm, Lake Joe, Fish Island, and more. Price for guests of The Sea Pines Resort and Sea Pines property owners: $13 per adult; $10 per child age 3 to 12; complimentary for children age 2 and under. Price for all other guests: $14 per adult; $11 per child age 3 to 12; complimentary for children age 2 and under.
• Evening Hayride. (Wednesdays, 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 pm, June through August). Find out what goes bump in the night by experiencing The Sea Pines Resort Forest Preserve after dark. As the only way into the Forest Preserve after hours, this tour allows you to enjoy its unique nocturnal personality under the stars, as we search out the American alligator in its nighttime environment. Price for guests of The Sea Pines Resort and Sea Pines property owners: $13 per adult; $10 per child age 3 to 12; complimentary for children age 2 and under. Price for all other guests: $14 per adult; $11 per child age 3 to 12; complimentary for children age 2 and under.
• Kayak Fishing Expedition. (Please call for schedule.) The Sea Pines Resort Kayak Fishing Expedition is a private tour, accommodating up to three guests. Professional guides will use several techniques to target a variety if game fish depending on the season. This Kayak Fishing Expedition will be tailored to suit the needs and desires of your group. There is no experience necessary and children of all ages may participate. Your guide may lead you to a secret spot targeting cobia and tarpon. Or for the more adventurous among you, travel to a remote area for spot tail bass and sea trout. Rest assured that amenities are never far away, and you will be fishing moments after your tour begins.
• Sea Pines Bicycle Tour. (Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) Embark on a leisurely tour to enjoy the beautiful scenery and charming personality of The Sea Pines Resort. From horses and birds to palms and Spanish moss, we'll encounter many unique aspects of the resort at Lawton Stables, the Forest Preserve, Heritage Farm, the Stoney-Baynard Ruins, and more. Price for guests of The Sea Pines Resort and Sea Pines property owners: $13 per adult, with one complimentary child per paying adult, and $8 for each additional child. Price for all other guests: $14 per adult, with one complimentary child per paying adult, and $8 for each additional child.
• Forest Preserve Walking Tours. (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) Discover the hidden treasures of the Forest Preserve, with one of our guided tours. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, visit the remains of a 4,000-year-old Indian village at the sacred Indian Shell Ring. Search for birds and animals - hidden amongst the trees - as you listen to the stories behind this historic area. If swamps and marsh boardwalks are more your style, take our Thursday tour deep into the Old Lawton Rice Field, looking for turtles, lizards, and alligators, and hear about plantation life during the 18th century. Price for guests of The Sea Pines Resort and Sea Pines property owners: $9 per adult, with one complimentary child per paying adult, and $5 for each additional child. Price for all other guests: $10 per adult, with one complimentary child per paying adult, and $5 for each additional child.
• Beach Discovery Tour. (Fridays; time varies with the tide.) Stroll along the sandy shoreline of South Beach, and experience the fun and beauty of our Carolina Coast. Search for dolphins, starfish, and sand dollars, while collecting seashells and other treasures along the way. Price for guests of The Sea Pines Resort and Sea Pines property owners: $9 per adult, with one complimentary child per paying adult, and $5 for each additional child. Price for all other guests: $10 per adult, with one complimentary child per paying adult, and $5 for each additional child.
• Stoney-Baynard Ruins Tour. (Mondays, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) Enjoy a truly unique experience, by exploring the ruins of an 18th-century plantation house. Walk the grounds of an area that has been untouched for hundreds of years, and listen to stories about the history and plantation life of Hilton Head Island. Price for guests of The Sea Pines Resort and Sea Pines property owners: $9 per adult, with one complimentary child per paying adult, and $5 for each additional child. Price for all other guests: $10 per adult, with one complimentary child per paying adult, and $5 for each additional child.
• Let's Go Crabbing. (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., June through August.) Spend your morning on the sandy shore of South Beach in search of Hilton Head Island's largest and tastiest crab - the Blue Crab. Hermit crabs, seagulls, and the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin also often make appearances, bringing life to the beach. Supplies provided; catch and release. Price for guests of The Sea Pines Resort and Sea Pines property owners: $13 per adult; $10 per child age 3 to 12; complimentary for children age 2 and under. Price for all other guests: $14 per adult; $11 per child age 3 to 12; complimentary for children age 2 and under.
• Freshwater Fishing. (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., June through August.) Enjoy a relaxing morning by the beautiful lakes of The Sea Pines Resort Forest Preserve. Watch for turtles, alligators, and birds as we fish for large-mouth bass, crappie, bream, and catfish. Fishing tackle are provided by Shakespeare; catch and release. Price for guests of The Sea Pines Resort and Sea Pines property owners: $13 per adult; $10 per child age 3 to 12; complimentary for children age 2 and under. Price for all other guests: $14 per adult; $11 per child age 3 to 12; complimentary for children age 2 and under.
• Gullah Campfire Storytelling. (Thursdays 8:00 - 9:00 pm, June - August.) Travel to a different time and culture without ever leaving Sea Pines. Join us around the campfire in The Sea Pines Resort Forest Preserve for a night of Gullah stories, history, language, lifestyle, and songs. Enjoy roasted marshmallows and lemonade while Louise Cohen - a native Hilton Head Islander - captivates audiences with her myths and tales about the Lowcountry. Price for guests of The Sea Pines Resort and Sea Pines property owners: $13 per adult; $10 per child age 3 to 12; complimentary for children age 2 and under. Price for all other guests: $14 per adult; $11 per child age 3 to 12; complimentary for children age 2 and under.
• Family Hayride. (Sundays, 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Come explore some of the sights and sounds of the beautiful Forest Preserve aboard our old-fashioned hay wagon. We'll search for alligators, turtles, and birds. This will also be a great time to learn about the numerous other nature and family activities taking place during the week. Price is $5 per person. As part of the tour, you will also receive a $5 discount coupon for another activity during the week. (Certain restrictions apply.) Reservations are required.
• Wildlife Discovery Series. (Thursdays, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., April and June through August.) Gather around with our naturalist at The Sea Pines Resort Nature Center to learn about and interact with native snakes, turtles, and even a baby alligator. Enjoy a unique and personal experience with some of the animal wonders of The Sea Pines Resort. Price for guests of The Sea Pines Resort and Sea Pines property owners: $9 per adult; $7 per child age 12 and under. Price for all other guests: $10 per adult; $8 per child age 12 and under.
• Lawton Stables. Meander through 600 lush acres of The Sea Pines Resort Forest Preserve on horseback to get a feel for the true untouched Low Country. Trails wind beneath a canopy of palmettos and moss covered oaks, past alligator inhabited fishing lakes and historic sites. Friendly guides keep at a walk so riders can settle in and comfortably take in the surroundings. Trail riders must be at least 8 years old. Pony rides are available for children 7 and under and there is a small animal farm for all to enjoy. Lawton Stables also offers parties for younger children. Lawton is a full service equestrian center offering horse boarding and English riding lessons.