About Barrier Island Eco Tours
Barrier Island Eco Tours operates from the Isle of Palms Marina, guiding visitors to Capers Island Heritage Preserve — a pristine, uninhabited barrier island just fifteen miles north of Charleston that is accessible only by boat. Since launching their first tours, the company has become one of the most respected naturalist-guided outfitters in the Lowcountry, with every excursion led by environmental educators who hold credentials in marine biology, ornithology, or coastal ecology.
The core experience is a boat-based eco-tour that winds through the Intracoastal Waterway, past Dewees Island and through winding salt-marsh channels before landing on Capers Island's undeveloped beaches. Once ashore, guides lead walking tours through maritime forest, past boneyard beaches lined with bleached oak skeletons, and along shorelines where loggerhead sea turtles nest in summer. Birding trips target the island's impressive roster of shorebirds, wading birds, and raptors. Seasonal offerings include crabbing excursions, beachcombing trips focused on shells and shark teeth, and sunset cruises that return through the marsh at golden hour. Private charters accommodate groups of all sizes for weddings, corporate outings, and family celebrations.
What makes Barrier Island Eco Tours exceptional is the destination itself — Capers Island is one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on the South Carolina coast, and visiting it feels like stepping back in time to a pre-development Lowcountry. The company's deep ties to local conservation organizations and their commitment to leave-no-trace practices ensure the island stays pristine for future visitors.
