Five fun spring activities for the whole family on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®

Five fun spring activities for the whole family on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®

Rich with history, culture, outdoor activities, shops and restaurants, the Hammock Coast® has something for everyone in the family to enjoy this spring. Here are five of our recommendations.

Fish Finder Fishing

Start by booking an inshore or nearshore fishing trip out of Murrells Inlet with Fish Finder Fishing. According to owner Capt. Robert Orr, the inshore calm waters are teaming this time of year with flounder, trout, redfish and black drum. Orr suggested that families with teens may want to also consider the nearshore “fun-fishing” option. “On these trips,” he said, “we go out and look for variety while still targeting the big one to brag about.”

Another experience Orr recommended is the summer shark fishing excursion, during which clients have been successful with catching smaller 3- or 4-footers. He added, “While we do catch bigger sharks, too, such as nurse, tiger, black tips, dogfish, Atlantic sharp nose and bonnet heads, we also reel in other fish such as sea bass and grunts.” 

No experience is necessary, Orr said.

“Fishing isn’t as hard as people think,” he said. “We welcome novice adults, as well as children. It makes us happy to watch our clients get excited as they’re learning. We know people just want to have fun and that’s what we are all about. That’s why families come back year after year to see what different species they can catch with us.”

Orr said Fish Finder Fishing abides by all rules and regulations, including catch-and-release when required or if families don’t have a way to take the fresh catch home. If the fish is legal to keep and clients have the capability to take it with them, Orr and his mates offer cleaning and fileting as a complimentary bonus. 

To book an adventure, visit fishfinderfishing.com or call 843-FISHING.

Brookgreen Gardens

Nothing says “Nature in Bloom” like the exciting four-day spring break camp at Brookgreen Gardens, which runs Monday, April 21, through Thursday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Campers in grades K-3 will discover what this season means for plants and animals by engaging in activities, nature exploration and hands-on art projects inspired by the beauty of their surroundings. 

During the same days and times, children in grades 4-6 will enjoy the “Art in Bloom” program, a four-day camp where nature and creativity come together during fun-filled activities such as learning about native animals at the Lowcountry Zoo, taking guided nature walks to explore hidden areas of Brookgreen Gardens and creating unique art inspired by the landscape.

These immersive camps are designed to foster a deep connection to the environment through outdoor projects, creative play, skill-building adventures and engaging in discussions about how the beauty of nature can prompt artistic expression.  

All sessions will begin in the classroom, and pre-registration is required. To reserve your child’s spot in these programs, hurry and visit brookgreen.org because tickets sell out early. In case the camps are already booked, don’t worry. There’s always something going on at Brookgreen so this will make a good excuse to come back again next month and the month after. Keep an eye on their website for updates. 

Pawleys Island Beach

Head over the causeway to enjoy a sunny afternoon on the Pawleys Island beach. Park in the newly renovated south side lot, conveniently located to eliminate the hassle of schlepping gear while also freeing up time and energy for shelling, jumping the waves and building sandcastles.

Hobcaw Barony

Tucked between Pawleys Island and Georgetown is Hobcaw Barony, a 16,000-acre privately owned research reserve that encompasses a rich diversity of ecosystems. According to Director of Education Richard Camlin, “Hobcaw has something for everyone. With more than 70 cultural sites on the plantation including Native American shell rings, cemeteries, slave cabins and the Baruchs’ homes, the Barony provides a time capsule for educators as well as history lovers.”

The Welcome Center invites visitors to experience a complimentary overview of all the reserve has to explore. While there, pop into the gift shop and pick up a copy of “The Baroness of Hobcaw” to learn more about the magic surrounding the barony.

Every Monday-Friday, two-hour “Discover Tours” leave three times a day to take guests around the property. On Saturdays, visitors enjoy a more in-depth three-hour “Explore” adventure. The Barony’s springtime calendar also features special events including a study of the enslaved villages, an ecology tour and a lecture about researching the legacy of the estate’s former owner, Belle Baruch. 

For more immersive activities, book the boating excursion that explores the rice fields or learn the art of sweetgrass basket weaving.

Further adventures include a tour of the enslaved villages and Yawkey Wildlife Center, wetlands that are home to the American alligator, one of South Carolina’s most iconic species. Participants will take a trip outside to search for wild alligators and learn how scientists collect data. Further, as researchers in the Whitmire Lab at Clemson’s Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science are working to understand how pollutants impact local waters, there’s an opportunity to see firsthand how they use various tools and equipment to collect and analyze samples to determine what kinds of microplastics are in local waters and discover where they are coming from. 

Children ages 10 and up are invited to become a scientist for the day by working with water samples or learning about alligator biology during “Kids with Cameras Day.” 

Camlin suggested wearing close-toed shoes and dressing for the weather, especially if the mosquitos or deer flies are out in force.  Just in case, plan accordingly by wearing long pants and sleeves and consider bringing a hat and bug spray. 

To reserve tickets for an upcoming tour or program, visit the calendar on hobcawbarony.org. 

Georgetown’s Historic Front Street 

Step back in time by taking a visit to the charming riverside port city of Georgetown. To get the lay of the land, take a stroll along Georgetown’s historic Front Street with the knowledgeable Paige Sawyer of Old Georgetown Walking Tours. 

Each Friday, and on other days by appointment, Elizabeth Huntsinger and sometimes her husband, Lee, lead Ghosts of Georgetown Lantern Tours. Wearing traditional pirate costumes or Civil War uniforms, they bring a touch of whimsy and history to their phantasmic tours. Huntsinger, the author of three books about the ghosts and legends of Georgetown, sparks tour-goers’ imaginations on visits to historic locations throughout the city. To book a tour, contact Huntsinger at 843.543.5777.

Another option is to embark on an adventure aboard the Swamp Fox Tour’s blue-and-white tram to take a ride around town while listening to Georgetown’s 300-year-old history and exploring its early homes, public buildings, a historic church and many other points of interest. Purchase tickets by clicking here.

Then learn more about the region’s rich and soulful history by perusing the Maritime, Rice, Georgetown County, Gullah and Kaminski House museums. Make sure to bring home souvenirs from their gift shops.

If you prefer a more solitary outing, check out the Hammock Coast app, which offers two tours in Georgetown and one on Pawleys Island, all with audio commentary from local historians. Download the app for free from the app store of your choice. Just search for “Hammock Coast.”

However you choose to spend your time on the Hammock Coast, remember to reserve time and space for discovering your own favorite places, people, mysteries, histories and lore here that will keep you coming back spring after spring. 

By Sarah Rose / Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce