If there’s one thing you never tire of seeing along South Carolina’s coast – whether you live here like I do or you’re a visitor – it’s pelicans. Pelicans are fascinating creatures! So when I got the coveted honor of taking a baby pelican cruise in South Carolina with Coastal Expeditions, I accepted the offer without hesitation. Not only would it be my first time visiting the island preserve that operates as a breeding ground for thousands of pelicans each year, but the voyage would also land me on the beautiful and scenic Kiawah River for three glorious hours.
In preparation for this fun day on the water, I dressed in appropriate attire for a day in the heat and summer sun, packed sunscreen, and made sure my phone had a full charge for the keepsake photos and videos I’d be taking along the way. In hindsight, I wish I’d followed Coastal Expeditions’ suggestion to bring along binoculars – but the tour’s guide, Jackie, was kind enough to allow others to use hers so I wasn’t completely in the dark for up-close views of the babies.
The Baby Pelican Cruise departed from the new Coastal Expeditions outpost on Kiawah Island.
Robin Jarvis
The outpost includes restrooms and a picnic area in the shade in the event you need either before or after your journey.
We departed in two vessels at 12:30 p.m. on a Monday afternoon and set sail for over an hour to our destination.
Robin Jarvis
I was both surprised and delighted at the scores of other folks who found this cruise to see the baby pelicans as irresistible as I had.
Advertisement
Over on my vessel, Captain Albo and our naturalist guide, Jackie, could not have been more friendly and informative.
Robin Jarvis
Along the journey, we spotted dolphins and Jackie picked out several rare birds flying overhead, including a pink Roseate Spoonbill flying solo right in front of the boat.
Advertisement
I'd long anticipated getting a first-hand peek at the illustrious Kiawah River, known locally for its exceptional width and shallow channels for boats.
Robin Jarvis
Jackie explained there are so many oysters in the Kiawah River that, since oysters serve the purpose of filtering the water, the Kiawah River was lauded as being one of the cleanest rivers in the world.
After an hour of cruising along the Kiawah and learning about the ecosystem and more, we made it to the small island where thousands of pelicans were nesting.
Robin Jarvis
It's called Bird Key Stono Heritage Preserve.
Robin Jarvis
Because it's a protected space, no boats or people are allowed on the island. And let's just say, due to the smell generated by thousands of nesting pelicans, no one on the boat objected to not making landfall. You'll be glad to know that we all quickly forgot about the stench the moment we rounded the bend and saw the thousands of pelicans on the backside of the island!
With so many breeds in the Pelican family, it's important to note the pelicans on Bird Key Stono are the most commonly found pelican in and around South Carolina: the Eastern Brown Pelican.
Robin Jarvis
Seen here, the Eastern Brown Pelican is most notable as the only species of pelican that takes a nosedive from high above into the water to catch prey. No other pelican does this and it's one of the things I love most about the Eastern Brown Pelican.
With a wingspan measuring up to six feet, the brown pelican can fly as fast as 30 miles per hour. But few of the pelicans we saw on the cruise were flying.
Advertisement
That's because they were too busy tending to their young! The baby pelicans can be seen in this image. They're still covered in white or light gray color.
Robin Jarvis
Our guide, Jackie, was extremely knowledgeable and taught us so much about the adults, adolescents, and newborn baby pelicans.
The two cruise boats from Coastal Expeditions proceeded to cruise up and down the length of Bird Key Stono for an hour, giving everyone ample opportunity to view and gawk at the activities on the island.
Robin Jarvis
We also learned the older, more experienced pelicans could be easily identified by where they chose to nest.
Photo: Katie Morrison (used with permission)
The ones with more experience always pick the highest points on the island so as not to be in danger of being washed out by a particularly high tide or waves.
Spending the afternoon on the Kiawah River and seeing and learning all about baby pelicans was such a pleasurable experience.
Photo: Katie Morrison (used with permission)
I'll probably go again next year, but for now, I'll keep reliving the experience through photographs and video footage like this!
Did you know about this Baby Pelican Cruise in South Carolina? This is the third year for the cruises to Bird Key Stono Heritage Preserve. The cruises only take place for a number of weeks during the summer season. Things to know before you go: If you have small children, the cruise is lengthy and snacks are a good idea. Also, if you have binoculars, bring them. You’ll want to see those babies up close! And finally, feel free to bring a cooler, but there’s no need to if you’re just bringing water. Coastal Expeditions had two coolers of water for guests on the vessel I was aboard.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
