Let Kiawah Conservancy and the Kiawah Photography Club be your guides on this audio tour of The Kiawah Island Preserve featuring the creatures that live among the ponds.
Kiawah Island is about 25 miles southwest of Charleston, South Carolina. It is nestled between Folly Beach and James Island to the northeast, and Seabrook Island, Wadmalaw Island and Rockville to the southwest.
Kiawah Island is a remarkable place where native landscapes, wildlife, and people coexist for the benefit of all – a place where beautiful memories are made.
Many people know Kiawah Island for its private beach, golf resort, and views of the Atlantic Ocean. But, whether you are a golf or wildlife enthusiast or both, memories are built on the natural wonders here.
This tour will take you to The Kiawah Island Preserve near Cinder Creek on the eastern end of the Island. The tour features Kiawah’s pond life and along the route, you will discover the creatures that live within them and the surrounding marsh: wetland birds, fish, turtles, and alligators!
The tour stops at Falcon Point, Egret Ponds Overlook, Ibis Pond, Pintail Pond, Willet Pond, Canvasback Pond Overlock, Osprey Point Golf Course, and St. John’s Fire Station Number 6.
Each stop is full of stories. Learn about why the Great White Egret was once near extinction due to women’s fashion, what salt-water grass flowers on only one of its sides, and why it is crucial ecologically that many of the ponds are stocked with fish.
Stopping at each pond on this tour will allow you to enjoy the full stories.
As you quietly walk along the flat dirt hiking trails, which can become “muddy hiking trails” after rain, you will see an expansive well-preserved natural habitat, which gives the illusion that you have stepped back in time prior to development on the Island.
Depending on the time of year of your visit, you may spot alligators sunning on the muddy banks and a variety of herons and egrets feeding along the lagoon edges or perched in the surrounding trees and ducks floating in the calm waters.
If you see a shadow pass overhead – look up! While this tour focuses on the life in the ponds, you may spot soaring raptors, such as osprey, bald eagles, and red-tailed hawks, which are also integral to the pond ecosystem.
Tour Sponsors The Kiawah Conservancy and Kiawah Photo Club sponsor this tour.
The Kiawah Conservancy is committed to preserving and protecting Kiawah Island through land conservation, habitat restoration, research, educational forums, and community outreach.
The Kiawah Island Photography Club is an active organization meeting from September through May and offering a non-competitive environment for all levels of photographers interested in expanding their photography knowledge and skills for more knowledge and skills.
Here, you can find workshop notes, videos of guest professionals, monthly challenges and how-tos, as well as links to popular photography websites, and more.
Find More Tours Near You If you enjoy this tour, check out all nine audio tours presented by Kiawah
Conservancy:
The Preserve,
Central Kiawah Island,
Western Kiawah Island,
Eastern Kiawah Island,
Kiawah Paddling,
Kiawah Photographers,
Beach Scavenger Hunt, and
Kiawah Pond Life.
In addition, you can find other tours in South Carolina or wherever your travels may take you at
TravelStorys.com. Every place has a story.
Location: South Carolina
Travel Type: Cycling
Trip Time: 45 minutes
Language:
