Connecting people with the waters
and the lands of Port Royal Sound
Open Tuesday - Saturday
10 AM - 5 PM
310 Okatie Highway
Between Beaufort and Okatie at the Chechessee River bridge
on the site of the former Lemon Island Marina
(843) 645-7774
UPCOMING EVENTS at the Maritime Center
Now in the Habersham Rotating Exhibit Room
On display through April 30
The Sun City Photography Club has installed a beautiful array of photographs reflecting the beauty of the Port Royal Sound area. Nearly three dozen framed photographs taken by members are displayed for pubic viewing. Everything from crabs to alligators to herons can be seen in this true celebration of the Port Royal Sound eco-system. There are even a few shots of the old Lemon Island Marina which the Maritime Center now calls home. The exhibit will run through the end of March. Framed prints are available for purchase with 30% of proceeds benefiting the the Port Royal Sound Foundation.
Tuesday Talks: Photographing the Lowcountry, Eric Horan
Tuesday, May 12, 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Learn the tricks-of-the-trade from one of the Lowcountry’s most accomplished photographers. Mr. Horan has been published in magazines such as Fortune, Time, and Newsweek and has set up shop in Beaufort where he follows his passion: photographing everything the Lowcountry has to offer. This talk will explore the ins and outs of nature photography and how to make the best use of natural light and your surroundings.
$8/person. Call 645-7774 or stop by the Maritime Center to reserve your seat.
Story Time
Wednesday, May 13, 12:30 PM
A comfy floor pillow, a nature story or two, and a special activity to do. Bring your toddlers and preschoolers to spend time with our crew of enthusiastic readers. There is no charge for this activity. Story Time is offered every Wednesday at 12:30 PM.
Community Reef Build
sponsored by SC Department of Natural Resource's SCORE program
Saturday, May 16, 12:00- 3:00 PM
The South Carolina Oyster Restoration and Enhancement Program (SCORE) is a community-based oyster restoration program, and that means they depend on volunteers like you to help restore oyster reefs! They are one of the only programs in South Carolina restoring oyster reefs strictly for the ecological benefits they provide. By partnering with the community the SCORE program can restore valuable habitat while also educating people on the ecological importance of oyster reefs and the habitat that oysters create. When people are well informed and personally invested in a resource, they are better stewards. Working with the SCORE program gives volunteers the opportunity to give back to the environment in a hands-on way, learn new skills, and meet other like-minded volunteers. Join us at the Maritime Center for a reef build that will be placed right here in the Port Royal Sound!
Tuesday Talks: Talkin' Turkey, Jay Walea
Tuesday, May 19, 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Mr. Walea is the Director of the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy and has spent his whole life in pursuit of one animal: The Eastern Wild Turkey. Aside from being an expert on how to manage land for turkey, Mr. Walea is also incredibly well versed in the language, behavior, and overall biology of North America’s largest game bird. This talk will involve live demonstrations of turkey calls, explanations of the different calls, and antidotes from Mr. Walea’s personal experiences with these birds.
$8/person. Call 645-7774 or stop by the Maritime Center to reserve your seat.
Story Time
Wednesday, May 20, 12:30 PM
A comfy floor pillow, a nature story or two, and a special activity to do. Bring your toddlers and preschoolers to spend time with our crew of enthusiastic readers. There is no charge for this activity. Story Time is offered every Wednesday at 12:30 PM.
Birding for Beginners
Friday, May 22, 9 - 11 AM - New time!
Structured exclusively for beginners to learn about winter water birds of the Port Royal Sound Area. The class will start with a presentation of the different types of water birds (wading, water fowl, shore birds) and then journey just down the road to Widgeon Point for an outdoor field experience. This study should provide a foundation to becoming a successful birder. Binoculars and field guides are highly recommended.
$10/person. Reservations required. Call 645-7774 or stop by the Maritime Center to reserve your seat.
Eco-Boat Expeditions
Saturday, May 23, 10 AM, 12 NOON & 2PM
We are excited to welcome back Capt. Amber of Spartina Marine Education Charters for more eco-expeditions on the Chechessee River. Different from a sight-seeing tour, Capt. Amber will lead an in depth revelation of the Lowcountry waterways. It’s a classroom on a boat! Local crabs, shrimp, and fish will make a temporary appearance on board in a viewing tank. Dolphins, egrets and even bald eagles have been known to try and tag along with the class. Expeditions will last between 1½ and 1¾ hours. This is definitely a class you won’t want to skip! Eco-Boat Expeditions will also be offered June 5 & 19.
$40 for ages 12 and up, $30 for ages 6 - 11. Call 645-7774 or stop by the Maritime Center to reserve your seat!
Story Time
Wednesday, May 27, 12:30 PM
A comfy floor pillow, a nature story or two, and a special activity to do. Bring your toddlers and preschoolers to spend time with our crew of enthusiastic readers. There is no charge for this activity. Story Time is offered every Wednesday at 12:30 PM.
Tuesday Talks: History of Bluffton
Tuesday, June 9, 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Carolyn Coppola, Celebrate Bluffton
$8/person. Call 645-7774 or stop by the Maritime Center to reserve your seat.
Tuesday Talks: Sea Turtles
Tuesday, June 16, 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Amber Kuehn, manager of Hilton Head Island Sea Turtle Protection Program and owner/operator of Spartina Marine Education Charters
$8/person. Call 645-7774 or stop by the Maritime Center to reserve your seat.
Youth Boating Program
June 8-12 and 22-26
July 6-10 and 27-31
The PRSF Maritime Center is excited to host a camp experience for kids that gives them the gift of independence, adventure, and learning skills they can use for a lifetime! Offered through the YMCA of Beaufort County in association with the Spirit of America Boating Education and Safety Program, the Youth Boating Program is designed to teach 11 - 15 year olds the skills required to become safe, successful mariners. The program will utilize hands-on method experiences; educate participants on functional components of sailboats, zodiacs, kayaks, canoes and stand up paddle boards; impart life skills such as teamwork and good decision making; and instill a sense of appreciation and respect for our environment. As part of the week-long course, students take the SC DNR Boating License class and exam. Contact Paul Spencer, YMCA Boating Director, for more information on the class and volunteer opportunities: (843) 522-9622 or boatingymca@gmail.com. This program is available for both YMCA members and non-members.
Port Royal Sound Foundation, a 501(C)(3) non-profit, is dedicated to the betterment and conservation of the waters and lands of our unique salt marsh ecosystem that is the Port Royal Sound Estuary system.
Our mission is to advance the awareness of Port Royal Sound and its contributions to the environmental, cultural, and economic well-being of our area, the region, and the Atlantic Ocean.
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The Port Royal Sound Area is our area of outreach which includes the many connected tidal rivers and creeks and surrounding lands influencing our special salt marsh ecosystem. We also include nearby bodies of water that have similar characteristics.
Please call us at (843) 645-7774 or email us at info@portroyalsoundfoundation.org with questions, comments, inquiries or to receive a copy of our latest newsletter!