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Fish crow in a pine tree. Corvids are a group of birds that includes crows, ravens, jays, and magpies. In South Carolina, you’re most likely to spot American crows, & blue jays all over the state and fish crows along bodies of water. More uncommonly spotted and upstate SC, ravens can be seen! Corvids thrive…

Happy Hallo-week!!!! We wanted to talk about some of Capers’ “Caspers” aka ghosts of Capers Island! The first ghost we’d like to introduce is the ghost shrimp! These shrimp (family Callianassidae click link for photos!) live in the intertidal and shallow subtidal zones of beaches and estuaries. They often create little “volcano-like” chimney holes in…

  Did  you know the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) is found from the costal waters of North Carolina to the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and all the way to Brazil? Along South Carolina’s coast, they are often found in the state’s offshore waters, particularly around reefs, wrecks, and nearshore structures like docks. These…

This week’s night sky gave us a spectacular show,  the Harvest Supermoon, which peaked on the evening of October 6–7, 2025. The Harvest Moon is a full moon that gets its name from the extra light it once gave farmers to finish gathering their crops after sunset. This year’s event was extra special because it…

Calling all ocean lovers, quizmasters, and trivia buffs — join us Wednesday, October 8th at 6:30 PM for Marine Trivia hosted at Islander 71, and lead by crew from Barrier Island EcoTours. Gather your smartest team (2–6ish folks), flex your fins and facts, and compete for bragging…

Did you know that we take school groups on an unforgettable adventure into Charleston’s wild side! These 3–5 hour excursions mix hands-on science with sandy toes and salty breezes, giving students the chance to learn while exploring. We start our trip by boating through winding tidal creeks, where our guides pull up crab…

Did you know September 4th is National Wildlife Day? It was founded in 2005 by wildlife advocate Colleen Paige to raise awareness about endangered species and the urgent need for conservation. It also serves as a day of reflection on the incredible biodiversity that makes up our planet and the role humans play in protecting…

Did you know our waters are home to several species of cartilaginous fish belonging to the subclass Elasmobranchii? This unique group includes sharks, skates, and rays. Within it, rays and skates form a group called the Batoid fishes, instantly recognizable for their “dorsoventrally flattened” bodies — think of a swimming ravioli gliding through the water!…

Black skimmer!               With their striking black-and-white plumage and bright orange bills, Black Skimmers are often mistaken for the American Oystercatcher. But look a little closer, and you’ll spot a key difference…how they feed and fly! Unlike the Oystercatcher, which severs oysters open with its strong beak during a lowish…

Boating is one of the best ways to soak up sunshine and scenery, but safety should always come first. Before heading out, check the weather forecast, your vessel’s fueled up and in working order, and pack essential safety gear—like life jackets for every passenger, a throwable flotation device, and a whistle or horn. Make sure someone on land knows your plan (where you’re going and when you’ll be back), and never forget sunscreen, plenty of water, and a fully charged phone or radio in case of emergencies. Required Safety Equipment: life jackets and throwable floats fire extinguishers visual and sound signaling devices (whistle or horn) navigation lights anchor first aid kit. Make sure your boater registration is also up to date! Whether you’re paddling a kayak or cruising on a motorboat, always follow local navigation rules and speed limits, especially…

Bonnet head shark captured and released on of our shark fishing trips! One of the apex predators of the tidal salt marsh is the shark! In South Carolina waters there are about 38 species of sharks, skates, and rays. These are all cartilaginous fish—the same squishy stuff that makes up your nose & ears. Though…