Laatst bijgewerkt op december 7, 2023

Sandy Island is a hidden gem in South Carolina, a state in the United States of America.

It is the largest undeveloped freshwater island on the East Coast and a refuge for wildlife and nature lovers.

Sandy Island is also home to a small community of Gullah people, descendants of former slaves who have preserved their culture and traditions.

If you are looking for a unique and adventurous destination, Sandy Island is the place for you. Here are some tips on how to visit Sandy Island and what to expect.

Sand dunes on sandy island, zuid Carolina
Sand dunes on Sandy Island

Getting to Sandy Island

Sandy Island is located between the Pee Dee and Waccamaw Rivers in Georgetown County, about halfway between Georgetown and Myrtle Beach.

The island is only accessible by boat, so you will need to arrange a transportation service or rent a kayak or canoe.

There are several options for getting to Sandy Island, depending on your budget and preference.

One option is to book a tour with Sandy Island Boat Tours, a private company that offers guided trips to the island.

You can choose from a half-day or full-day tour, which includes a boat ride, a nature walk, a visit to the Gullah community, and a picnic lunch.

The tours cost $75 per person for a half-day and $125 per person for a full-day.

You can also customize your tour to suit your interests and needs. De tours vertrekken vanaf de Wacca Wache Marina in Murrells Inlet, over 20 mijl ten zuiden van Myrtle Beach.

Een andere optie is om een ​​mooie boottocht te maken met Brookgreen Gardens, een openbare tuin en natuurreservaat dat een deel van Sandy Island bezit.

De boottocht duurt ongeveer 45 minuten en neemt u mee langs de Waccamaw-rivier, waar je verschillende planten en dieren kunt zien.

De boottocht stopt niet bij Sandy Island, maar je kunt er wel een glimp van opvangen vanaf het water.

De boottocht is inbegrepen in de toegangsprijs voor Brookgreen Gardens, wat is $18 voor volwassenen, $10 voor kinderen, en gratis voor leden.

De boottocht vertrekt vanaf het Brookgreen Gardens-dok, over 15 mijl ten zuiden van Myrtle Beach.

Een derde optie is het huren van een kajak of kano bij Black River Outdoors, een outfitter die verhuur en rondleidingen in de omgeving aanbiedt.

U kunt er een kajak of kano voor huren $35 per day and paddle to Sandy Island on your own. You will need to launch from the Wacca Wache Marina or the Hagley Landing, both of which are about 20 mijl ten zuiden van Myrtle Beach.

You will also need to check the tide charts and weather conditions before you go, as the currents and winds can be strong and unpredictable.

You should also respect the privacy and property of the island residents and avoid trespassing or littering.


Exploring Sandy Island

Sandy Island is about 9,000 acres in size, of which about 9,165 acres are protected by The Nature Conservancy as a preserve.

The island has a diverse landscape, ranging from longleaf pine forests to old rice fields.

The island is also home to many species of plants and animals, some of which are rare or endangered, such as the red-cockaded woodpecker, the American alligator, and the Venus flytrap.

Sandy Island is een geweldige plek om van de natuur en dieren in het wild te genieten, maar u moet zich ook bewust zijn van de potentiële gevaren en uitdagingen.


Hiking and Biking

Een van de beste manieren om Sandy Island te verkennen is door te wandelen of fietsen langs de paden die het eiland doorkruisen. Een kaart met de routes vind je op de website Sandy Island Preserve-website.

Sommige routes zijn gemakkelijk en vlak, terwijl andere uitdagender en heuvelachtiger zijn. Je kunt een verscheidenheid aan landschappen verwachten, zoals dennenbossen, moerassen, moerassen, en velden.

Ook kun je veel vogels spotten, reptielen, amfibieën, en zoogdieren onderweg.

Enkele hoogtepunten van de routes zijn:

  • DeLarry Paul Trail, dat is een lus van 2 mijl die begint en eindigt bij de Thoroughfare Creek Landing. Deze route voert je door het zuidelijke deel van het eiland, where you can see the longleaf pine and pocosin bay communities. The trail also includes interpretive signage about the island’s abundant plants and wildlife.
  • DeLittle Bull Creek Trail, which is a 2.2-mile loop that starts and ends near the Bull Creek Landing. This trail takes you through the northern part of the island, where you can see the remnants of the old rice plantations and the Gullah community. You can also visit the Sandy Island Cultural Center, where you can learn more about the history and culture of the island’s residents.
  • DeRed-Cockaded Woodpecker Trail, which is a 3.9-mile loop that starts and ends near the Bull Creek Landing. This trail shares a portion of its length with the Little Bull Creek Trail. Dit langere pad biedt de beste kans om zeldzame rood-cockaded spechten te zien, die afhankelijk zijn van de volwassenheid, brandwerende dennen voor foerageer- en nestplaatsen.

Als u wandelt of fietst op Sandy Island, je moet voldoende water meenemen, snacks, zonnescherm, insectenwerend middel, en een EHBO-doos. Draag comfortabele schoenen, lange broek, en een hoed.

Je moet ook voorzichtig zijn met Poison Ivy, slangen, spinnen, en ander wild.

Vergeet niet om op de gemarkeerde paden te blijven en te voorkomen dat u afdwaalt of verdwaalt.

Landschap van Sandy Island, zuid Carolina

Fishing and Boating

Een andere manier om van Sandy Island te genieten is door te vissen of varen op de omliggende wateren.

Probeer eens op baars te vissen, meerval, brasem, en crappie in de rivieren en kreken, of voor bot, rode vis, en forel in de moerassen en inhammen.

U kunt ook varen of kajakken over de waterwegen en het eiland vanuit een ander perspectief bekijken.

U kunt ook enkele van de kleinere eilanden in de buurt bezoeken, zoals Geiteneiland, Vogel eiland, en Katteneiland, which have their own charm and wildlife.

If you are fishing or boating on Sandy Island, you should bring your own equipment, bait, and license.

You should also check the tide charts and weather conditions before you go, as the water levels and currents can change rapidly.

You should also be respectful of the island residents and other boaters and anglers. Always follow the state and local regulations and limits on fishing and boating.


Camping and Picnicking

If you want to extend your stay on Sandy Island, you can camp or picnic on the island.

There are two designated camping areas on the island, one at the Sandy Island Landing and one at the Bull Creek Landing.

Both camping areas have picnic tables, fire rings, and portable toilets. You can also find potable water at the Sandy Island Cultural Center.

You can camp for free on the island, but you need to register in advance with The Nature Conservancy.

You can also picnic at any of the landings or along the trails, but you need to bring your own food and drinks.


Gullah People on Sandy Island

The Gullah people are descendants of enslaved Africans who were brought to the coastal plantations of South Carolina and Georgia in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Gullah people of Sandy Island have maintained their traditional culture and language, which are influenced by their African ancestry and their history of enslavement and isolation.

These people worked on rice, indigo, and cotton fields, and developed skills in fishing, jacht-, and farming.

They also developed a unique creole language, called Gullah, that blends English with words and grammar from various African languages.

The Gullah language is still spoken by many residents of Sandy Island today.

The Gullah people of Sandy Island have faced many challenges and threats to their land and culture over the years.

They have resisted attempts by developers and government agencies to buy or take over their property, and have fought for their rights to education, health care, and environmental protection.

They have also endured natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and fires, that have damaged their homes and crops.

Despite these hardships, the Gullah people of Sandy Island have preserved their heritage and identity, and have shared their stories, muziek, kunst, and cuisine with the world.

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