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Situated on the South Carolina coastline, only 25 miles south of historic Charleston, lies a secluded and private barrier island where the sounds of songbirds fills the air, dolphins and seagulls play together in the ocean, and the quiet streets and trails are lined with ancient moss-draped oaks, towering palmetto pines, wildlife habitats, and natural Audubon golf courses abounding in birdlife.
Welcome to Seabrook Island, a private and oceanfront community bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, North Edisto River, Bohicket Creek – all unparalleled habitats for migratory and wintering roosts and Seabrook Island’s local resident birdlife. Seabrook Island is a destination every ocean lover, nature lover, and bird lover should visit at least once in their life – we know you’ll be back for more!
Where To Go Birding on Seabrook Island?
Seabrook Island is the largest sea bird nesting area north of Florida and an important site on the bird migration map. The diverse ecosystem of freshwater ponds, salt marshes, maritime forests, and natural beaches attract a large population of year-round resident birds and migratory birds in each season. Pack your binoculars, sunscreen, sunhat (and bug spray!), and explore the best birding spots on Seabrook Island.
Shorebirds & Seabirds on the Beach
An overwhelming sense of remoteness welcomes you to Seabrook Island’s beautiful 3.5-mile stretch of beaches. From Pelican Beach at the mouth of the North Edisto River to Seabrook North Beach near the wildness of Captain Sams Inlet, there’s shorebirds and seabirds, and a high chance of a dolphin and sea turtle sightings. Seabrook Island beaches are pet-friendly but please follow the beach rules closely to respect the areas protected for birdlife and wildlife.
Seabrook Island Lake House
Palmetto Lake at the Seabrook Island Lake House is a prime birding hotspot in South Carolina and a beautiful setting to combine leisure time and birdwatching. Listen to the birds sing while relaxing round the pool or take a stroll on the easy (and wheelchair friendly) Lake House nature trail alive with Warblers, Herons, Egrets, and beautiful birds of prey soaring above.
Seabrook Island Equestrian Center
Explore the birdlife on the wooded trails, tidal creeks, and swampy marshes or ride the beach on horseback at the Seabrook Island Equestrian Center. The Old Drake Nature Trail near the Equestrian Center is another tranquil easy trail with lots of backyard birds and quiet benches for birdwatching.
Deveaux Bank Heritage Preserve
Deveaux Bank is a 250 acre sandbar about a half-mile offshore from the oceanfront Seabrook Island Beach Club pools and amenities. Deveaux Bank is a state designated seabird sanctuary home to tens of thousands of coastal birds. In fact, nearly all the identified coastal water bird species in South Carolina are found on Deveaux Bank. Rent a kayak or SUP for a private paddle or book a Deveaux Bank Seabird Sanctuary Cruise at the Night Heron Park Nature Center.
Bobcat Dune Nature Walk
The Bobcat Dune Nature Walk is an easy birdwatching trail along a sunny boardwalk through the marsh and dunes in Seabrook North Beach. Across the way is the rugged Six Ladies Trail climbing to a lookout point with a table and benches for picnics and prime bird watching over the salt marshes and Captain Sams Creek.
Whether you’re a beginner birder still learning to identify species and bird calls or an avid and educated birder keen to share your skills with other bird lovers, exploring South Carolina’s top birding spots with a local guide offers a unique experience with high rewards. There’s no shortage of guided birdwatching tours on Seabrook Island and Kiawah Island for birders to immerse themselves in an avian paradise.
Guided Birdwatching Tours
Seabrook Island Birders
Seabrook Island Birders welcome guests on Seabrook to join in their local activities and events geared to protect and preserve the critical bird habitats on the island. SIB events and activities include birding inspired movie nights and guided bird walks (and golf cart rides) like Sip, Sit and See at Palmetto Lake, Backyard Birding at the Boat Ramp, and Birding Walks on the Crooked Oaks and Ocean Winds Golf Course, and Beyond our Backyard birding tours of historic Ft. Moultrie.
Guided Tours at Night Heron Park
Night Heron Park on nearby Kiawah Island is a 21-acre haven for bird lovers, with nature trails for hiking and biking and amazing land based and water based guided tours with a naturalist. Guided tours at the Heron Park Nature Center include Birding for Beginners, Back Island Birding, Wildlife Photography Tour, Bird Walks at Mingo Point on the Kiawah River, Bird Walks at the famous PGA Ocean Course, or a tranquil birding experience on a Kiawah River Birding Cruise.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Charleston’s Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is voted one of America’s most beautiful gardens and a top birding destination in Charleston. Only a short 25 mile scenic drive from Seabrook Island, it’s worthy of a spot on your Seabrook Island birding itinerary! Go birding with an avian expert through the formal gardens, hardwood forests, lakes and ponds, and the cypress wetlands at the Audubon Swamp Garden.
The Birds of Seabrook Island
Kiawah Island is home to more than 220 species of birds and over 80 bird species have been sighted on Seabrook Island. From tiny Ruby-throated Hummingbirds to threatened and endangered specials like the Bald Eagle, Piping Plover and Red Knot, the South Carolina coastline abounds in shorebirds, seabirds, songbirds and majestic birds of prey. Seabrook Island Birders have a detailed bird checklist for Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island and here’s a teaser of what to expect on your birding vacation to Seabrook Island.
- Birds of Prey: Bald Eagles, Hawks, Ospreys, Vultures, Owls, Mississippi Kites
- Backyard Birds: Carolina Wren, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, Woodpecker, Warbler, Dove, Mockingbird, Eastern Bluebird, Summer Tanager, Eastern Kingbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Orchard Oriole, Belted Kingfisher.
- Seabirds: Brown Pelican, Royal Tern, Laughing Gull, Double Crested Cormorant.
- Shorebirds: Piped Plover, Oystercatcher, Sandpiper.
- Wading Birds: Green Heron, Little Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, Night Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret, Ibis, Wood Stork, Roseate Spoonbill.
Things to Do When You’re Not Birding on Seabrook Island
Aside from beautiful birding trails and hotspots on your doorstep, guests on Seabrook Island have access to luxury resort amenities with a charming coastal atmosphere and true southern hospitality. Seabrook Island offers oceanfront pools and dining at the Beach Club, state of the art fitness facilities and pools at the Lake House, horseback riding on the beach, an award-winning tennis center and two championship golf courses.
Located just off the island, there’s shopping, dining and live music events at Freshfields Village, beautiful beaches and nature attractions on nearby Kiawah Island and Charleston, the #1 City in the US, only a short, scenic drive away.
Birdwatch from Home on Seabrook Island
There are no hotels or high rises on Seabrook Island! Instead, you get to watch the ospreys roost for the night from the comfort of a luxury Seabrook Exclusives vacation villa or private home rental. Seabrook Exclusives offer a collection of over 70 of the best vacation rentals on Seabrook Island with options for oceanfront, creekside, swampy marsh, or backyard bird viewing from home.
Browse our selection of private home rentals (many with complimentary amenity cards to Seabrook Islands luxury resort amenities) or contact a Seabrook Exclusives vacation specialist to start planning your birding and nature retreat on Seabrook Island, SC.
