Nature Programs
Fripp is Certified Wildlife Habitat and an Audubon Important Area. A variety of birds use our beaches, maritime forests, golf courses, ponds, and marshes. This walking tour will depart from the Activity Center and we will search for wading birds, shore birds, and woodland species. Beginners to expert birders are welcome!
- $12 per person, 1 hour
- Scheduled year round
- Meet at Activity Center
Ever wanted to explore that mysterious island across from Wardle’s landing? The only way to get there safely is by boat… join us for a quick canoe trip across Skull Inlet and walk the beach of this abandoned, uninhabited island. Some of the best shells can be found here!
Come learn all about the east coast’s coolest crustacean, the blue crab! Learn the life cycle and ecological importance of these edible crabs as we bait our baskets and wait for them to fall into our trap. We will teach you how to handle them and anything else we might catch! Additionally, we will explore the marsh and try to catch some fiddler crabs. This program is catch and release only. Please wear shoes you don't mind getting dirty.
Be sure to stop by the Activity Center on Fridays to see all of our resident animals get fed! You will get to see all of our snakes, turtles, and alligators eat as well as learn about their diets, feeding habits, and how their bodies are designed to eat the way they do
- FREE, 1 hour
- Year Round
- Meet at the Activity Center
The best way to experience the winding tidal creeks behind Fripp is by kayak. Share a tandem kayak with a buddy or paddle yourself in a single. On this guided two hour tour we will watch for eagles and ospreys soaring overhead, fiddler crabs and clapper rails walking the mud flats, dolphins splashing on the shore line and so much more! Please call ahead to reserve your spot. Tour departs from the Marina boat ramp.
- Single Kayak $45
- Tandem Kayak $70
- Reservations required by closing time the day before the program
Join our naturalists for a once-a-month guided tour under the full moon. This is a truly unique way to experience the sights and sounds of the tidal creeks after the sun goes down. Please call ahead to reserve your spot. Tour is 2 hours and will depart from the Marina boat ramp.
Our classic golf cart scavenger hunt program with a nature twist! Our clues will take you on your own wildlife and plant tour of the island and teach you about some of the interesting things you will find along the way
- $12 per team, 1 hour
- May through August
Join our naturalists on the search for Fripp's animal night life. We will primarily be looking for frogs & toads, but we often see bats, spiders, and insects or hear some owls calling. We may even be able to spot alligators and deer. We will teach you about all the different kinds of amphibians you can find in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as well as introduce you to how we conduct research for our AZA-based citizen science project FrogWatch. Some flashlights are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own.
Fripp Island is an important migration stop for many famous pollinators. Stop by for our 30 minute guided tour of our new native plant garden and learn all about birds, bees, and butterflies. We will teach you how to identify the creatures we see, the plants that attract them, and how you can help pollinators at home.
Catch our naturalists at various locations around the island with some of our animals! You may get to see Earl the box turtle at the Beach Club or Olaf the corn snake at Excursions.
If you’re a budding herpetologist (a person who studies reptiles and amphibians) this is the program for you! Get familiar with some of the Activity Center’s resident reptiles before we head out to find some wild critters. We will discuss habitats, diets, anatomy, and more. We will check our humane traps for snakes, turtles, lizards, etc. We may even get to spot an alligator or two. Closed-toed shoes are required.
- $12 per person, 1 hour
- March through September only
- Closed-toes shoes are required
The marsh is arguably the best place around Fripp to watch the sunset. On this guided tour we will look for and discus the plants and many animals of the salt marsh. Enjoy the peace and serenity of the tidal creeks and watch the colors of the sky and water change. Make sure you bring a camera and a way to keep it dry!
Join our naturalists for an evening beach walk under the stars to try and catch a glimpse of a nesting sea turtle or hatchlings leaving the nest! You will learn about how to safely view sea turtles at night, red lights, and how you can help protect our state reptile.
Fripp Island’s beach is an important nesting area for endangered sea turtles. Every summer mama loggerhead sea turtles crawl onto our beach at night and lay hundreds of eggs. Join our naturalists for a morning beach walk to check out some of the nests and to learn everything there is about our awesome sea turtles!
