Guided by the experts at Coastal Eco Tours or Barrier Island Eco Tours, you’ll have the opportunity to soak in the sun and sights or actually get some mud between your toes. These are great ways to spend time with the family and keep your money local.

Coastal Eco Tours

Coastal Eco Tours on the Isle of Palms specializes in private boat tours of the Charleston, South Carolina coastal waters and barrier islands. Tours are limited to six passengers to provide customized tours to fit your needs. It’s all about exploring, observing, learning and just having some fun on the back waters of the Isle of Palms, Dewees Island, Capers Island, and The Cape Romain Refuge. If you are looking for something off the beaten path, some local knowledge or just a fun adventure, call 886-8136 or visit www.coasteco.com .

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Average tour length 3 hours

Departure from the Isle of Palms

Tours Limited to six (6) passengers

Tours begin at $195 for 2 hours

•Capers Island

3 hours $295

The Capers Island tour is perfect for those who want to experience the natural side of the Lowcountry. Once on Caper’s Island you will have the chance to explore, discover shells, play in the Pluff Mud or just relax on the beach. Your captain is your guide and will be happy to show you around the island and point out interesting facts about the barrier island and how it fits into our ecosystem.

•Sunset

2 hours $195

3 hours $295

The Sunset Tour is simply a nice relaxing boat ride to give you a totally different view of the Lowcountry from the water and catch one of the spectacular sunsets over the marsh grass. Just before the sunset you will make your way back toward the Isle of Palms and watch the sun go down in a spectacular change of light and life around the marshes.

•Crabbing

3 hours $295

The Crabbing Tour is a favorite among those who want to learn about and how to catch those crazy crustaceans. Go on a tour of the surrounding salt marshes and explore the natural habitat of the Blue Crab. Once landed at a crabbing spot, you will be armed with the latest technology in crab catching equipment; one chicken neck, a piece of string, a stick and a crab net.

•Girls Sunset

3 hours $295

The Girls Sunset Tour is all about the girls. Gather up your group of 6 girlfriends and Captain Ashley will zip you all out to Capers Island for a relaxing late afternoon to watch a spectacular sunset. Captain Ashley will set you up with beach chairs, a cooler, ice and a table. You bring your beverages, picnic basket and just sit back and enjoy the afternoon with your closest friends.

•Caper’s Express

$95 per hour

Camping, party, wedding, whatever the reason, take your group and your gear out to Caper’s Island for a flat hourly rate.

Barrier Island Eco Tours

It all began as an educational nature tour to Capers on a six passenger boat. But in 1998 Barrier Island Eco Tours expanded their gills and bought the Callinectes, a Coast Guard Certified 40 passenger tour boat that is now a familiar sight along Lowcountry waterways. Whether you want to explore, go inshore fishing, take eco-tours, or go kayaking there is a trip for you. Call 886-5000 or visit www.nature-tours.com.

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•School Programs - Barrier Island Ecology Adventure

Educational School Programs K-12

Scientific Process and Inquiry Skills are promoted and reinforced throughout the field trip as students learn about organisms, habitats, communities, and ecosystems, as well as the environmental and geological factors that influence them.

$18 per student and parent or chaperone for the field trip

$8 per person includes hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, cookies and bottled waters

Groups of 150

Trips usually last from 3.5 to 6 hours depending on your group size

•Beachside Cookouts

3 hours

Enjoy a leisurely boat cruise up the intracoastal waterway to Capers Island Preserve. Once you arrive on the island you are free to relax by the water or explore Capers pristine “boney-yard beach” while the crew prepares dinner. Enjoy your meal on the beach as you watch the sun set over the salt marsh.

•Family Fun Day

3-5 hours

Spend a day on the water doing a little fishing, a little crabbing, a little kayaking, and some salt marsh and barrier island exploration.

Guides are excellent with all ages, and are well experienced in teaching kids to fish and crab all while sharing their knowledge about the salt marsh ecosystem and marine life. Many families choose to include a beachside cookout during the trip.

•Sunset Cruise

2-3 hours

Experience one of the most breathtaking sights in the Lowcountry - the sunset over the South Carolina salt marsh and its barrier islands.

One of their most versatile trips, this outing can be conducted as an eco-tour, a cocktail cruise to Capers Island or through Charleston Harbor, or as a prelude to a campfire cookout.

Perfect for families, organizations or corporate groups, our sunset cruises provide a great end to the day while offering another perspective on the area’s unique natural beauty.

•Shellfish Workshop

3-5 hrs | Capacity: 40 people

One of the greatest attributes Charleston has to offer is its local seafood. Charleston’s salt marshes are abundant with succulent oysters and clams. Your naturalist will take you to a public shellfish ground at low tide near Capers Island, and let you try your hand at harvesting oysters and clams.

All you need are a pair of old shoes and gloves, a hammer, rake, bucket and a little enthusiasm to live off the land. Don’t worry, your naturalist instructor will provide all the necessary equipment if you don’t have them and all the instruction you need.

Trip concludes with a seafood feast of the fresh catch on Capers Island.

•Restaurant Taxi

Put your group in the mood for great seafood by sending them to dinner aboard the Callinectes.

If your schedule doesn’t allow for other day trips, this excursion may serve as indispensable exposure to the area’s scenic salt marsh. Trips depart from the Charleston-area marina of your choice and deliver your group to any local dockside restaurant. Return moonlight trips provide a perfect conclusion to the night.

Return van service can also be arranged.

•Family Reunions

For a unique atmosphere conducive to conversation and interaction, Barrier Island Eco-Tours has the choice. Families can choose from any tour options including eco-tours, to fishing and crabbing. Children and adults alike enjoy the hands-on experience Barrier Island Eco-Tours offers.

Trip length and food while aboard the Callinectes may be customized to meet the needs and wants of any family. One of the best Charleston group tours for families.

•Wedding Parties

Barrier Island Eco-Tours provides a unique opportunity for wedding parties to relax and recreate before the big event. They offer the bridal party an alternative approach to the traditional bridal luncheon with a picturesque sunset cocktail cruise. Invite the groomsmen to enjoy a camping excursion to secluded Capers Island State Heritage Preserve, or send them on a fishing trip to calm their nerves before the wedding.

A beachside meal makes for an unforgettable rehearsal dinner in a relaxed environment.

Trips can depart from any Charleston-area marina and their length catered to meet the needs of each group.