Things to Do

The Beach

Dewees is blessed with one of the most beautiful and pristine beaches on the entire coast. Please help us keep it that way by leaving it cleaner than you find it. Use the boardwalks and footpaths to get to the beach. This protects our fragile dunes, which in turn protect the entire island from storm and tidal events. Any path name ending in “walk” is a public beach access path. There are seven beach access paths on the island. We have great shelling on the island, but please be conservative in collecting shells. These beach treasures replenish the sand and provide homes for other creatures. Try to limit yourself to three so that others may enjoy them too. At the end of the day, remove all equipment, shelters, and toys, and fill in holes and push castles down. Please take your beach toys home with you. Leaving them at or under beach access paths is discourteous to fellow beachgoers. Be sure to remove any trash you find or bring to the beach.

Dewees beach; pictured from the middle of the island

Nature Center

We recommend that you start your island visit with a stop at the Nature Center at the landings building, near the ferry dock. We have a touch tank so you can meet some of our sea creatures personally, as well as exhibits to learn all about the snakes, frogs, birds, butterflies, and mammals that call the island home. We also have the Nature Program store, where you can get t-shirts and souveniers to take home. All proceeds benefit our nature programs. Upstairs, at the Nature Center, you will find busy interns learning more about our ecosystems ─ and they are eager to speak with you!

Nature Programs

A variety of programs are available year-round, from exploring the pluff mud, to geocaching, to our touch tank, where you can get up close and personal with the creatures of the tidepools. Want to make a birdfeeder? Learn more about fishing or birding? Want to explore the conservation area or see where the snakes hang out? Or see what we can catch in a seine? Then join us for one of our many scheduled programs. Check the bulletin boards at the ferry dock, Huyler House, and the Landings building to find out the schedule of events. Or call the Environmental Program Director at 843-568-3994, or the Environmental Interns at 843-568-3996 to reserve a spot in a program.

Turtle Program

Turtle nesting season begins in mid-May, and goes through mid-August. In the end of June or the beginning of July, hatchlings begin to emerge from the nests to make their way back to the sea. You can help by walking with the turtle team, keeping beachfront lights off, and keeping the beach clean. Objects or trenches in their path can interrupt or trap them. Push castles back down as if they had never been there. This keeps nesting and hatching turtles (and people) safe.
Stop by the Nature Center to volunteer with the turtle patrol. We will even walk with you to show you the ropes. Sunrise is a spectacular time to be on the beach!
If you come across a nesting turtle or a hatching nest, keep your distance and call Gary McGraw, Turtle Team Leader, at 843-709-6318.

Turtle Team protects loggerhead turtles

Birding

Dewees Island is a great place for birding. Take a pair of binoculars with you as you explore the island. You can get a birding list and lots of information about our natural environment when you stop by the nature center. In spring and summer, Roseate Spoonbills gather in the impoundment with wood storks and ibis, and Painted Buntings are often spotted in the maritime forest. Fall brings migrating warblers and flocks of American Oystercatchers. Our winter shorebirds and nesting owls are also fun to observe.

Shorebird Observation and Conservation

Our beaches are important feeding, resting, and nesting ares for shorebirds. Some are endangered or threatened species. Wilsons Plovers, American Oystercatchers, and Least Terns all nest here. Others, like Piping Plovers and Red Knots, may stop here on a long migration route for rest. Every time a bird is forced to fly, it loses valuable energy necessary for survival. You can help. Try to reduce the amount of disturbance our birds receive. If a parent is startled off the nest, eggs and chicks may be exposed to predators or the sun’s intense heat. They can die within minutes in the hot sun. Stay on beach paths and out of marked areas. Watch where you step. These birds lay their speckled eggs directly on the sand and crushed shell. Nests and checks can be almost impossible to see on the beach. Dogs should be leashed or on voice command at all times. Even leashed dogs can decrease bird diversity by 50%. Please keep them leashed them south of Huyler House walk and north of Osprey walk.

Huyler House Community Center

Huyler House is the community center of the island. It is centrally located, and has a large community building, with a game room underneath. The pool and tennis courts are also located at the Huyler House. These are valuable community resources; everyone is responsible for taking care of them. The Huyler House is host to a rotating art show, sponsored by the Island Arts Council. In addition to our permanent collection, visiting artists display their work here. Stop by to see what is hanging on the walls! The ice machine can be found on the ground level near the pool walkway. You will need to bring a cooler or bucket to bring the ice back. There should also be bags stored where the ice is dispensed, but we try to minimize our use of plastic bags. There are also restrooms there, and showers which are open in the summer season.

The Pool

The pool is open from dawn to dusk Tuesday through Sunday. It uses salts for water chlorination, reducing chemical use. Restrooms and showers are available near the pool walkway under the Huyler House guest suites. There is no lifeguard on duty. Please follow the posted rules and be courteous of fellow swimmers. The pool closes at dusk for cleaning, and is closed on Mondays for water treatment.

Tennis

The tennis courts predate our covenants, and are the only paved surface on the island. Courts are available on a first come, first served basis. You will need your own rackets and balls. There are also basketball hoops at the court area. No bikes or skateboards are allowed on the courts.

Canoeing and Kayaking

The canoe shelter is near the rice trunk. You can borrow the canoes to explore the impoundment. Life jackets and paddles are also in the shelter. You can arrange to borrow kayaks, as well– Ask the Nature Center staff for information or lessons.

Fishing

Dewees has some great opportunities for fishing. Every angler over the age of 16 needs a South Carolina Salt Water Recreational Fishing License. You can get a recreational salt water license from bait shops or directly from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Either visit their website or call 1-888-714-3611 to obtain a license, 24 hours a day. See http://www.dnr.state.sc.us/ for details. If you are fishing for food, only take enough for an evening’s meal. This ensures better future harvests and the freshest, best tasting fish for dinner. It is not acceptable to freeze fish or crab to take home with you. Obey all state laws regarding size and amount limits. These rules are posted on various docks around the island. Here are some helpful tips (insert link here) for catch-and-release fishing.

Please follow our alligator safety guidelines (insert link)and leave the area when an alligator is paying close attention to your fishing efforts. If they come to associate people with food, everyone is at risk.

Crabbing

Crabbing: The most popular place to crab is at the dock near the rice trunk, but crabs can be caught on all external docks of the island. Please limit your crabbing to an hour or so, rather than monopolize the dock. You will need nets and weighted lines, and fish or fish heads for bait. Using chicken for bait is strictly prohibited, because it will attract alligators. You can purchase bait at the nature center or at the Isle of Palms marina.

Don’t take more crabs than your family will eat in your next meal. This helps us preserve the balance of the ecosystem, and is courteous to your fellow crabbers. If you plan to eat crabs more than once while you are here, or your party exceeds 6 people, please purchase seafood along the shrimp docks at Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant. (insert link to more crabbing tips)

History and Archives Exhibits

The Nature Center shares space in the Landings building with our historical Archives. Learn about the island’s rich history in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, Pirates, Rumrunners, and hunters. We have a rich collection of artifacts and stories. There is even a self-guided tour of the island that you can take.

Wildlife Viewing

Here on Dewees, you can observe many animals in their natural setting. American alligators live in fresh water and brackish wetlands. As a top predator, they help control rodent and raccoon populations. Because they are cold-blooded, alligators come out in the sun to warm themselves. Look for them on the docks at the Huyler house pond and along the road at Chapel Pond. Give alligators a wide berth and let them be. It is against the law to feed or harass alligators. (link to alligator safety guidelines.) Raccoons and White-tailed deer use the roads and the dunes; look for their tracks. A rare treat is to see an otter slipping through the marsh, or a fox in the forest.

Enjoy Sunrise and Sunset

There are many great places on the island to enjoy sunrise and sunset.  Come find your own special place.

Sunsets come in many colors; each one is different