Pritchards Island

Amazing Uninhabited Island

Pritchards Island is just southwest of Fripp and is only accessible by boat. This uninhabited island is owned by the University of South Carolina which conducts research on the island and welcomes daily visitors who enjoy strolling along the beaches and enjoying the barrier island's wildlife and tranquility.

Atlanta businessman Philip Rhodes donated the 1,600 acre island to the University of South Carolina in 1983 with the condition it not be developed commercially but rather used for coastal research.  Students would stay in the "old stilt house", the Rhodes Research Center, while studying the ecosystems on the island and managing the preservation of the loggerhead sea turtles that nest on the island.  The island is still managed by USCB and is used for education, conservation and research purposes by the University, other state institutions, and the general public.

In October of 2022, the abandoned research lab was removed, section by section, and hauled off on a barge.  

 

For several years, the Beaufort County Arts Council collaborated with USCB to hold an annual artist retreat on Pritchards. Each artist was required to provide a piece of art that became the Pritchards Island Collection.

That collection now hangs in the library at the Hilton Head Gateway campus. (Source: Island Packet 2015)

Boating to Pritchards

If you're looking for an adventure, visit Pritchards by kayak or canoe.  The Fripp Island Resort offers guided canoe trips that launch off the beach behind the Cabana Club.  It's a great way to safely navigate the swift current that runs through Skull Inlet and learn more about the barrier islands. Contact the Activity Center for more information and reservations.

If you're ready to head out on your own, you can check tides and head over in your kayak or canoe.  Single and tandem kayaks are also available to rent at Island Excursions.  Once you get to Pritchards, you'll enjoy the peace and quiet of the island while strolling, shelling and exploring.

Loggerhead Turtles

One of Beaufort County's most nested beaches, Pritchards Island is host to Loggerhead Sea Turtles between May and October.  A group of dedicated volunteers patrol the island during nesting season to protect, mark and even relocate nests when necessary. Learn more about loggerheads - they're truly amazing!

Learn More

Shorebirds and Seabirds

Pritchards Island is host to both shorebirds and seabirds throughout most of the year - in the summer for nesting, and as a rest and refuel layover during their epic spring and fall migrations.

Nests are laid in shallow scrapes in the sand that blend in very well to their surroundings. While raising their young in the summer, it is imperative that adult birds keep eggs and chicks shaded to prevent predation and overheating in the summer sun, like the Least Tern is doing in this photo.

With North American shorebird and seabird populations in steep decline from habitat loss, predation and human disturbance, every piece of natural habitat remaining is critical for their survival. Help us protect these birds while enjoying the beach by keeping these actions in mind:

  • Walk around flocks of birds, not through them, so they can rest and feed
  • Respect signage on the beach indicating where birds are nesting and/or resting
  • Leash your dog near birds, because even friendly dogs look like predators to them

There's lots to learn about birds in the Lowcountry - there are hundreds of different species to be found. Thank you for helping to protect our local wildlife! 

Learn More

#sharetheshore

Beach-nesting and other coastal birds have begun laying eggs along Florida`s coasts and on rooftops in coastal areas. Spring and summer mark critical times of year for these vulnerable species, as they must try to find safe habitats away from human disturbance, storms, and predators to successfully raise their chicks.

Sea and shorebirds lay their eggs right on the sand. If they can’t find suitable beach habitat, some birds resort to nesting on large, gravel rooftops. Tampa Bay area threatened species, like the American Oystercatcher, Least Tern, and Black Skimmer, perceive people as a threat and will take flight whenever they get too close.

Want to learn how you can #ShareTheShore and help birds raise their next generation of chicks to adulthood? Tap the link in our bio to brush up on guidance from Audubon_FL.

An American Oystercatchers adult and chick on the beach. 📷 : Holley Short/Audubon (Note: This photo was taken as part of a monitoring program—please remember to give nesting shorebirds their space at the beach.)

View
5066 4
Open
Beach-nesting and other coastal birds have begun laying eggs along Florida's coasts and on rooftops in coastal areas. Spring and summer mark critical times of year for these vulnerable species, as they must try to find safe habitats away from human disturbance, storms, and predators to successfully raise their chicks. Sea and shorebirds lay their eggs right on the sand. If they can’t find suitable beach habitat, some birds resort to nesting on large, gravel rooftops. Tampa Bay area threatened species, like the American Oystercatcher, Least Tern, and Black Skimmer, perceive people as a threat and will take flight whenever they get too close. Want to learn how you can #ShareTheShore and help birds raise their next generation of chicks to adulthood? Tap the link in our bio to brush up on guidance from Audubon_FL. An American Oystercatchers adult and chick on the beach. 📷 : Holley Short/Audubon (Note: This photo was taken as part of a monitoring program—please remember to give nesting shorebirds their space at the beach.)

Beach-nesting and other coastal birds have begun laying eggs along Florida`s coasts and on rooftops in coastal areas. Spring and summer mark critical times of year for these vulnerable species, as they must try to find safe habitats away from human disturbance, storms, and predators to successfully raise their chicks.

Sea and shorebirds lay their eggs right on the sand. If they can’t find suitable beach habitat, some birds resort to nesting on large, gravel rooftops. Tampa Bay area threatened species, like the American Oystercatcher, Least Tern, and Black Skimmer, perceive people as a threat and will take flight whenever they get too close.

Want to learn how you can #ShareTheShore and help birds raise their next generation of chicks to adulthood? Tap the link in our bio to brush up on guidance from Audubon_FL.

An American Oystercatchers adult and chick on the beach. 📷 : Holley Short/Audubon (Note: This photo was taken as part of a monitoring program—please remember to give nesting shorebirds their space at the beach.) ...

5066 4

“My job... is just beach.” - Westken snowy plover

Western snowy plovers are all about beach! Until September, these small, sparrow-sized shorebirds are hard at work incubating eggs and caring for their chicks. You can safely share the shore with these threatened birds by:

- Give wildlife space: do not approach or chase these birds.

- Respect all posted signs and roped-off areas for the protection of wildlife.

- Avoid prolonged picnicking or sunbathing in plover nesting habitat (dry sand areas above the wrack line).

- Walk on the wet hard-packed sand below the wrack line to avoid nesting habitat.

- Camp or build fires only in designated areas.

- If you’re on a beach that allows vehicles, drive ‘low and slow’, staying on the hard-packed sand below the high tide line where plovers forage.

- Avoid driving over old vehicle or foot tracks as plovers like to rest or “loaf” in these and are extremely hard to see.

- Avoid flying kites or other hovering objects near plover nesting habitat.

- Please dispose of all trash properly and do not inadvertently or intentionally feed wildlife.

- Know beach-specific dog rules before you go. If dogs are permitted, please follow the leash rules.

Thank you in advance!

🎨 by Rebecca Fabbri/USFWS

View
33205 101
Open
“My job... is just beach.” - Westken snowy plover Western snowy plovers are all about beach! Until September, these small, sparrow-sized shorebirds are hard at work incubating eggs and caring for their chicks. You can safely share the shore with these threatened birds by: - Give wildlife space: do not approach or chase these birds. - Respect all posted signs and roped-off areas for the protection of wildlife. - Avoid prolonged picnicking or sunbathing in plover nesting habitat (dry sand areas above the wrack line). - Walk on the wet hard-packed sand below the wrack line to avoid nesting habitat. - Camp or build fires only in designated areas. - If you’re on a beach that allows vehicles, drive ‘low and slow’, staying on the hard-packed sand below the high tide line where plovers forage. - Avoid driving over old vehicle or foot tracks as plovers like to rest or “loaf” in these and are extremely hard to see. - Avoid flying kites or other hovering objects near plover nesting habitat. - Please dispose of all trash properly and do not inadvertently or intentionally feed wildlife. - Know beach-specific dog rules before you go. If dogs are permitted, please follow the leash rules. Thank you in advance! 🎨 by Rebecca Fabbri/USFWS

“My job... is just beach.” - Westken snowy plover

Western snowy plovers are all about beach! Until September, these small, sparrow-sized shorebirds are hard at work incubating eggs and caring for their chicks. You can safely share the shore with these threatened birds by:

- Give wildlife space: do not approach or chase these birds.

- Respect all posted signs and roped-off areas for the protection of wildlife.

- Avoid prolonged picnicking or sunbathing in plover nesting habitat (dry sand areas above the wrack line).

- Walk on the wet hard-packed sand below the wrack line to avoid nesting habitat.

- Camp or build fires only in designated areas.

- If you’re on a beach that allows vehicles, drive ‘low and slow’, staying on the hard-packed sand below the high tide line where plovers forage.

- Avoid driving over old vehicle or foot tracks as plovers like to rest or “loaf” in these and are extremely hard to see.

- Avoid flying kites or other hovering objects near plover nesting habitat.

- Please dispose of all trash properly and do not inadvertently or intentionally feed wildlife.

- Know beach-specific dog rules before you go. If dogs are permitted, please follow the leash rules.

Thank you in advance!

🎨 by Rebecca Fabbri/USFWS ...

33205 101

Whether you love the beach for sunbathing, walking your dog, fishing, kayaking or boating, please remember to share the love with our coastal birds by sharing the shore. This year, a colony of Black Skimmers in Galveston Bay abandoned their nests after repeated disturbance from people getting too close to their nesting site. Help keep our feathered friends safe this summer!

#sharetheshore #Texas #conservation #potectthenest #Audubon #birds

Photo: Audubon Texas

View
127 1
Open
Whether you love the beach for sunbathing, walking your dog, fishing, kayaking or boating, please remember to share the love with our coastal birds by sharing the shore. This year, a colony of Black Skimmers in Galveston Bay abandoned their nests after repeated disturbance from people getting too close to their nesting site. Help keep our feathered friends safe this summer! #sharetheshore #Texas #conservation #potectthenest #Audubon #birds Photo: Audubon Texas

Whether you love the beach for sunbathing, walking your dog, fishing, kayaking or boating, please remember to share the love with our coastal birds by sharing the shore. This year, a colony of Black Skimmers in Galveston Bay abandoned their nests after repeated disturbance from people getting too close to their nesting site. Help keep our feathered friends safe this summer!

#sharetheshore #Texas #conservation #potectthenest #Audubon #birds

Photo: Audubon Texas ...

127 1

For many coastal birds, nesting season has already begun! And these tiny, cotton-ball-sized chicks like Western Snowy Plovers need our help to make sure they can grow up safely, even while we’re nearby enjoying the beach.

That’s where Audubon’s Coastal Bird Stewardship Program comes in. Audubon staff, partners, and volunteers work together across the hemisphere to protect a multitude of coastal bird species from stressors as they nest, raise their chicks, migrate, or winter on beaches and islands.

Tap the link in our bio to learn more about our program and discover simple tips to #ShareTheShore if you`re heading to the beach this summer! ☀️🏖️

Two Snowy Plovers rest on the beach. 📷: Katherine Pirozzi/Audubon Photography Awards

View
4244 13
Open
For many coastal birds, nesting season has already begun! And these tiny, cotton-ball-sized chicks like Western Snowy Plovers need our help to make sure they can grow up safely, even while we’re nearby enjoying the beach. That’s where Audubon’s Coastal Bird Stewardship Program comes in. Audubon staff, partners, and volunteers work together across the hemisphere to protect a multitude of coastal bird species from stressors as they nest, raise their chicks, migrate, or winter on beaches and islands. Tap the link in our bio to learn more about our program and discover simple tips to #ShareTheShore if you're heading to the beach this summer! ☀️🏖️ Two Snowy Plovers rest on the beach. 📷: Katherine Pirozzi/Audubon Photography Awards

For many coastal birds, nesting season has already begun! And these tiny, cotton-ball-sized chicks like Western Snowy Plovers need our help to make sure they can grow up safely, even while we’re nearby enjoying the beach.

That’s where Audubon’s Coastal Bird Stewardship Program comes in. Audubon staff, partners, and volunteers work together across the hemisphere to protect a multitude of coastal bird species from stressors as they nest, raise their chicks, migrate, or winter on beaches and islands.

Tap the link in our bio to learn more about our program and discover simple tips to #ShareTheShore if you`re heading to the beach this summer! ☀️🏖️

Two Snowy Plovers rest on the beach. 📷: Katherine Pirozzi/Audubon Photography Awards ...

4244 13

Want to be a better beach goer to shorebirds? #ShareTheShore by respecting posted signs about nesting and other off-limits areas and keep your pet leashed whenever you’re near birds.⁠
⁠
Playful dogs want everyone involved in the fun, but their antics can wreak havoc on shorebird colonies in a matter of seconds. Birds like these Least Terns perceive dogs as predators, even if the dogs aren’t chasing them. ⁠
⁠
Least Tern with chick. 📷: Jim Verhagen/Audubon Photography Awards

View
28578 179
Open
Want to be a better beach goer to shorebirds? #ShareTheShore by respecting posted signs about nesting and other off-limits areas and keep your pet leashed whenever you’re near birds.⁠ ⁠ Playful dogs want everyone involved in the fun, but their antics can wreak havoc on shorebird colonies in a matter of seconds. Birds like these Least Terns perceive dogs as predators, even if the dogs aren’t chasing them. ⁠ ⁠ Least Tern with chick. 📷: Jim Verhagen/Audubon Photography Awards

Want to be a better beach goer to shorebirds? #ShareTheShore by respecting posted signs about nesting and other off-limits areas and keep your pet leashed whenever you’re near birds.⁠
⁠
Playful dogs want everyone involved in the fun, but their antics can wreak havoc on shorebird colonies in a matter of seconds. Birds like these Least Terns perceive dogs as predators, even if the dogs aren’t chasing them. ⁠
⁠
Least Tern with chick. 📷: Jim Verhagen/Audubon Photography Awards ...

28578 179