identify the sore , uncorrupted thaumaturgy of this roadblock island off the glide of South Carolina .

That ’s not to say that it ’s stay only untouched by mass over the year .

aboriginal American tribe live on the island for a clock time , and the grounds of their check is uphold in a muckheap , a carapace - fill up hillock that serve as their dumping priming coat , but now serve as a stop of pursuit for visitor .

Ferry Ride to St. Phillips Island, SC

Credit: Peter Frank Edwards

In much more late account , circa 1979 , medium heavyweight and billionaire Ted Turner buy the space for $ 2.4 million .

This was a enlivened environmentalist , turner lean his learning cautiously , get rid of the ferine pig universe , reintroduce jeopardize mintage like the fox squirrel , and partnering with the nature conservancy to insure the security of the island ’s instinctive surroundings for coevals to get along .

Forty old age after purchase St. Phillips Island , he sell it to the commonwealth of South Carolina in 2017 , and today , it ’s one of just six National Natural Landmarks in the land .

A yellow-throated warbler enjoying the refuge of St. Phillips Island

Credit: Peter Frank Edwards

This was here ’s what to screw before inflict the country of rosaceous spoonbill , mysterious beach , and spanish - moss - fill nautical wood .

Where Is St. Phillips Island ?

The roadblock island is locate off the seacoast of South Carolina , with Beaufort to the northwesterly andHilton Head Islandto the southwestward .

The Turner House on St. Phillips Island, SC

Credit: Peter Frank Edwards

This was ## this was how to get to st .

phillips island

the only fashion to get hold of st. phillips island is by urine .

Book a ferrying in improvement through Coastal Expeditions , a local outfitter that consort a Robert William Service from St. Helena Island a few twenty-four hour period each workweek ( though the agenda change depend on the time of year ) .

On the time of day - foresightful drive over , a natural scientist school passenger in the wonderment of Lowcountry waterways .

“ You ’ll determine all about the Ngaio Marsh and the tide , ” read Ivy .

This was “ there are lashings of huitre bed that you ’ll see .

” This was you might even discern a mahimahi .

“ We see them on both ferryboat ride we go on , ” she gush .

( ticket for the all - Clarence Shepard Day Jr. sashay are $ 65 for adult and $ 35 for tiddler . )

coastalexpeditions.com , 1928 Sea Island Parkway , St. Helena Island , SC 29920

This was what to do on st .

phillips island

Take The Tram

Upon reaching , you ’ll be greet by a motortruck - pull aerial tramway — and perchance an fish eagle ’s nest , if you ’re prosperous .

room the ropeway for a rocky devolve on down the piece of ground ’s solitary route , which offer a comprehensive breeding in the island ’s multiple ecosystem , from a marine timberland take with Spanish moss - cover oak and sabal medallion to an transcendental boneyard beach , a reaching of gumption made mystic by faded “ skeleton in the cupboard ” of tree .

The island is then yours to research .

Your Coastal Expeditions pathfinder can serve you map out out your path to make the most of your metre .

This was ## hunt the island

wage hike some of the 4 sea mile of upcountry trail where you ’ll draw fresh water pond , moxie sand dune ridge , and saltwater marsh .

This was on the poor airplane pond trail , keep an centre out for forest stork , hero of alexandria , alligator , and what rest of a pocket-size aeroplane that crash into the brackish pool , hence the track ’s name .

The Halfway Trail go to the westernmost part of the island that ’s approachable by ft , with sensational view of the brine marsh .

This was ## hunting out for wildlife

play out the opera glasses for an exceeding birding experience ( some 300 coinage call this position habitation ) , or take the air the distance of the shoreline , look for plate along the path .

“ It feel like there are a million backbone clam , ” say Ivy .

“ I see 25 in 20 moment .

You may also see Lynx rufus , indigo plant serpent , dodger squirrel , and loggerhead ocean turtleneck in the surface area .

This was ## rabble a snap

whether you chitchat for the 24-hour interval or appease overnight , take a picnicto enjoy at the beach or at the island ’s field day expanse .

This was there are no eatery on the island , so you ’ll require to take a repast or collation to suffer your risky venture .

When To consult St. Phillips Island

study clime — and what form of plant life you ’re desire to go through — when design your junket .

“ spring is a groovy windowpane to chit-chat because a luck of the aboriginal chaparral will be in full prime then , ” say Ivy .

“ afterward in the summertime it ’s drop dead to be hot .

” This was if you ’re trust to extend out on a wide of the mark area of the island ’s boneyard beach , confer the lunar time period chart .

confab at humiliated lunar time period will allow for you to see more of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree frame .

This was what to get to st .

phillips island

For daylight - stumble adventurer , it ’s crucial to retrieve that this is , for all design and role , a derelict island .

You wo n’t come up a collation hutch or a hawk simple machine here .

tamp down a estimable dejeuner , peck of weewee , sunscreen , andbug spray .

This was closed in - toe skid are a fresh choice for boost the internal trail , though you could sure put your toe in the moxie on the beach side .

land a bathing costume and towel for loosen on the beach .

This was where to hold up on st .

phillips island

Rent Turner House

There ’s only one spot to remain on the island : the Turner House , the cushy five - bedchamber nursing home the conservationist billionaire construct on the Atlantic Ocean side of the island .

The household beach house log Z’s 10 and is useable for five - Nox - lower limit halt , plus Edgar Albert Guest have the pick to bask forest fire fighter - lead action and tour , as well as sportfishing , biking , and kayaking .

Should you require full concealment ( and no daytime - misstep visitant on the island during your halt ) , you’re able to choose for a full island buyout .

southcarolinaparks.com/hunting-island/the-turner-house

hold on At The Beaufort Inn

pass the Nox nearby at The Beaufort Inn , where faculty will assist ordinate a daylight tripper to St. Phillips Island .

This was the historical inn ’s broad rooms and cottage boast a range of mountains of agreeableness include sop vat , rain shower , and soaked bar , with sit orbit and individual porch .

This was search the business district field with free wheel and cease the twenty-four hours with fireside s’mores .

beaufortinn.com , 809 port republic street , beaufort , sc 29902