Bulls Island, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina , 11/23/2022, National Geographic Sea Lion
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Lion
U.S. East Coast
We have
successfully completed our first-ever day of expedition travel for our
inaugural trip in South Carolina, USA! And what a day it was. In the span of a
day, we checked off everything you come to the “Lowcountry” to see.
Kim is a marine biologist, fine art photographer, and avid fisherman. Based in Juneau, Alaska, Lingít Aaní, she spends her time between the mountains and the ocean. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Cognitive Neuroscience from the Unive...
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The morning came with grace. In the pre-dawn light, a gentle breeze cleared the air while the sun’s rays painted the saltmarsh with reds and purples. With a week of cloudy skies behind us, this beauty was welcome. After a delicious morning breakfast, we set out on the M/V Godwit and Gannet to Saint Phillip’s Island State Park. Weaving through the channels of the saltmarsh in the morning light was a delightful tour of the sea-islands ecosystem. Estuarine bottlenose dolphins played in our wake as we passed by, moms and calves rising in tandem as they fished and played. Wading birds erupted from the coastal marshes, driven to the small grass mats by the exceptionally high tides. We were the only people on Saint Phillip’s Island. This pristine sea island has never been developed aside from one house and some structures for visitors to enjoy it by. Via tram and foot, we set to explore what it had to offer. Spanish moss swung from the live oaks, holly berries giving color to the already saturated flora. At the end of the path lay a beach where the Atlantic Ocean greeted us. Abundant driftwood gave us countless photo opportunities with its endless patterns and forms. After another exciting boat ride through the coastal marsh, we visited the Penn Center. This US National Historic Landmark was the first school for formerly enslaved persons after the outbreak of the Civil War. Our guides taught us about this rich history and let us look at their detailed and enthralling exhibits. Coastal South Carolina has shown us so many of its incredible corners. We’re so grateful to experience such wonderful parts of a beautiful place. While we’re sad to see this voyage end, we carry these memories with us and will share them with the excitement they deserve.
Thanksgiving morning guests awoke on the National Geographic Sea Lion rolling with the waves as we made our way in open sea to the mouth of the Edisto River. The Edisto River is named after the historic Edistow people, a Native American sub-tribe of the Cusabo people who inhabited the area. As the tide rose, we cruised our way on in and anchored between Privateer and Ocella Creeks, which we then explored in Zodiacs. Numerous sea and shore birds delighted us with their presence. Wood storks, so majestic, perched upon pines and snowy egrets who glided past to land and feed among the spartina salt marsh grass. Gathered on the shore bank waiting for the tides to recede were American oystercatchers with their bright orange beaks, poised for an easy meal. Between rounds of Zodiac cruising, one of the naturalists gave a presentation on South Carolina Estuaries. After cruising, guests enjoyed a delicious lunch back on board. Once lunch wrapped up, they were able to do some holiday Black Friday shopping at the global gallery on full display in the lounge. By early afternoon, another presentation was given called Welcome to the Low Country all about South Carolina. Afternoon activities included some beach walks on Botany Bay Island, currently a wildlife management area. Botany Bay contains the remains of two plantations that grew sea island cotton until 1917. Guests had the choice of long, short, or photography walking opportunities. The densely packed sand made for perfect walking among welks, sea turtle eggs, horseshoe crabs, sea urchins, and oyster shells. The day concluded with a thanksgiving feast for all.
