Coastal Discovery Museum

Coastal Discovery Museum The Coastal Discovery Museum on Hilton Head Island is the place to learn about the Lowcountry
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Honey Horn, a 69-acre site owned by the Town of Hilton Head Island, is leased to the Coastal Discovery Museum.

Ready to explore Hilton Head Island this fall? 🍂 Swipe through to see our full Fall Schedule! We offer daily educational...
09/01/2026

Ready to explore Hilton Head Island this fall? 🍂 Swipe through to see our full Fall Schedule! We offer daily educational tours, nature walks, and cultural experiences across our beautiful 70-acre sanctuary at Historic Honey Horn.

📍 Location: Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
🎟️ Reservations: Save this guide for your trip and tap the link in our bio to book your guided eco-tours and history programs!

What will you discover this week? 🤔From guided nature walks to hands-on history programs, there is always something new ...
08/31/2026

What will you discover this week? 🤔

From guided nature walks to hands-on history programs, there is always something new to explore across our 70-acre sanctuary at Historic Honey Horn.

🎟️ Tap the link to view our full schedule: https://loom.ly/6CqD5vQ

While the majestic whale shark—the largest fish on the planet—is famous for roaming tropical, open oceans, these breatht...
08/30/2026

While the majestic whale shark—the largest fish on the planet—is famous for roaming tropical, open oceans, these breathtaking creatures occasionally visit us right here in the Lowcountry.

During the warm summer months, whale sharks are sometimes spotted by local divers and charter captains off the coast of Hilton Head and Port Royal Sound. They are highly migratory, following warm ocean currents to feed on massive schools of plankton and small fish.

Despite growing up to 40 feet long, these incredible animals are completely harmless filter feeders. Spotting one in our local waters is a powerful reminder of how deeply connected the Lowcountry is to the vast, open ocean ecosystem.

Today, we join marine enthusiasts around the globe in celebrating these incredible ocean wanderers for International Whale Shark Day!

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Did you know that some caterpillars are absolute masters of disguise? 🐛🐍Take the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, for example!...
08/28/2026

Did you know that some caterpillars are absolute masters of disguise? 🐛🐍

Take the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, for example! Before transforming into the stunning, large yellow-and-black butterflies you see fluttering around the Lowcountry, they have to survive their vulnerable caterpillar stage.

To trick predators, these caterpillars have evolved a brilliant defense mechanism: they develop large, fake "eyespots" on their backs. When a hungry bird approaches, the caterpillar rears up and expands its head, making it look incredibly like a dangerous snake!

But the magic doesn't stop at their disguises. To thrive, these native butterflies rely on specific host plants to lay their eggs and continue their life cycle.

Want to learn more about the fascinating lives of our local pollinators? Join us for our Nature Up Close: Butterfly Discovery program! We’ll guide you through the Karen Wertheimer Butterfly Habitat and our native gardens at Historic Honey Horn, sharing all the secrets of these incredible insects. 🦋

🎟️ Space is limited—reserve your tickets today and come get up close with nature:
Book Your Spot Here: https://loom.ly/sMQfhN4

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08/26/2026

Over 5,000 schools. Countless dreams. One transformative history. 📸

Our main gallery currently features "A Better Life for Their Children" by photographer Andrew Feiler—a striking visual documentation of the Rosenwald schools and the resilience that built them.

Turn your audio on to hear the story behind the exhibition, then step into the gallery to see it in person.

📍 Location: Main Gallery at Coastal Discovery Museum

Learn more: https://loom.ly/jjQT5Ec

Become a Docent: Forts of Port Royal Tour!Love history and a good walk? The Coastal Discovery Museum is looking for enth...
08/25/2026

Become a Docent: Forts of Port Royal Tour!

Love history and a good walk? The Coastal Discovery Museum is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to train as docents!

You’ll guide visitors through a fascinating chapter of local history, including:
✅ The remains of Fort Sherman and Fort Walker (later renamed Fort Welles)
✅ The historic steam cannon from the Spanish-American War
✅ The Battle of Port Royal Sound, when Hilton Head became the Union's Department of the South Headquarters

No prior experience is needed—full training is provided!

📧 Interested? Reach out to us at [email protected] or send us a DM to get started.

Check out what's coming up during this Week of Discovery, and make sure to join us for the final Tuesday of indigo tie d...
08/24/2026

Check out what's coming up during this Week of Discovery, and make sure to join us for the final Tuesday of indigo tie dye!

08/23/2026

This Tuesday, August 25th, is your last chance to enjoy Indigo Tie-Dye Tuesday at Coastal Discovery Museum! 💙

Drop in from 10:00 AM–12:00 PM for family-friendly fun with natural indigo and a little Lowcountry history. Each paid participant receives a t-shirt, plus you can bring one small cotton item to dye.

Reserve ahead if you can: https://loom.ly/aKQWtTQ

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🐢 As summer comes to a close, mother loggerheads are finishing up their nesting, but hatchling season on Hilton Head Isl...
08/23/2026

🐢 As summer comes to a close, mother loggerheads are finishing up their nesting, but hatchling season on Hilton Head Island is still in full swing!

How do sea turtle hatchlings find the ocean?
After incubating in the warm sand for about 60 days, hatchlings typically emerge at night. To find their way to the waves, they rely on the natural downward slope of the beach and the reflection of the moon and stars on the water.

Protecting these amazing marine reptiles is a year-round mission for the Coastal Discovery Museum. Our Adopt-a-Nest program helps fund crucial research, education, and conservation efforts that ensure these gentle giants have a safe place to return to.

Thank you for keeping our beaches dark, flat, and clean! 🌊

You can learn more about our ongoing sea turtle conservation efforts on our website: https://loom.ly/paNt_t8

Be a Citizen Scientist in Your Own Backyard! 🐝You don’t need a lab coat to contribute to real scientific research—just 1...
08/20/2026

Be a Citizen Scientist in Your Own Backyard! 🐝

You don’t need a lab coat to contribute to real scientific research—just 15 minutes and a patch of flowers!

Mark your calendar for tomorrow and Saturday (August 21–22)! Join the **Great Southeast Pollinator Census** right from home, your local park, or while exploring our 70 acres at Historic Honey Horn. Native pollinators quietly sustain our Lowcountry ecosystems, and tracking their numbers helps researchers protect regional biodiversity.

How to participate in 3 steps:
1. Pick a blooming plant in your yard, garden, or local neighborhood green space.
2. Watch it closely for **15 minutes**.
3. Count every pollinator that lands and log your counts online at https://gsepc.org/upload-your-counts/

Download the official Identification Counting Sheet here:https://gsepc.org/wp-content/uploads/Counting-Sheet.pdf

Whether you're counting honeybees on your patio or butterflies along our trails, every entry counts!

📍 What’s buzzing in your backyard today? Share your observations below or tag in your photos!* 👇

Address

70 Honey Horn Drive
Hilton Head Island, SC
29926

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm
Saturday 9am - 4:30pm
Sunday 11am - 4:30pm

Telephone

(843) 689-6767

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