Fun family adventures in/around Charleston?

Old Mar 24th, 2014, 02:14 PM
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Fun family adventures in/around Charleston?

Our family of three (daughter is 13) will be going on a beach vacation to the Charleston area in August, staying on Isle of Palms. We love Charleston and look forward to dining in great restaurants, visiting the Aquarium and other sights, etc. We always like to splurge on one really awesome activity when we’re on vacation – Pink Jeep Tour in Sedona; whitewater rafting in Jackson, WY; horseback riding in Yellowstone. Looking for some recommendations for the Charleston area – any fun family adventures to suggest? Thanks in advance!
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Old Mar 25th, 2014, 07:36 AM
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Bumping this up to see if anyone might be able to help. Thanks!
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Old Mar 25th, 2014, 02:18 PM
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Kayak with dolphins at either Edisto or Kiawah?

Off shore shark fishing?

Snorkeling for megladon teeth in the Edisto river?
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Old Mar 25th, 2014, 05:28 PM
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I was going to suggest kayaking. We went last summer and had a great time. We used Coastal Expeditions and they have a variety of kayak trips.
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Old Mar 26th, 2014, 03:25 AM
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Also suggest kayaking or paddle boarding.
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Old Mar 26th, 2014, 07:32 AM
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After years of doing this I have a theory. It may be wrong but.....

As the tides leave the marshes, it appears that the dolphins meet at the heads of the rivers. I have witnessed this many times, I presume that they just hang about waiting for the tides to flush all the fish out. Clearly they are not stupid.

The base of the Edisto river at St Helena sound is a great place. I have kayaked with pods of 20 plus dolphins here, however they do get too playful after a while and if they do my experience is to get out quickly. I have had them dive bomb the kayak and nudge it. It doesn't feel threatening they are just playing but I have no intention of going in the water with the size of bull and tiger sharks there are at the base of the Edisto.
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Old Mar 26th, 2014, 08:51 AM
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Thanks! Kayaking is definitely worth exploring. I appreciate the help!
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Old Apr 21st, 2014, 06:25 PM
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We went on a sunset sail out of the Charleston Harbor Marina. We chartered a boat with a captain so it was a truly relaxing, spectacular evening. We cooked fresh shrimp in advance and brought everything for a picnic dinner with us. There were 6 of us, some adults, some teens and everyone had a great time! The views of the battery, Castle Pinkney, and the rest of the harbor, along with lots of dolphins, made for a memorable trip.
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Old Jun 18th, 2014, 07:31 AM
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This is an older topic and you may have already gone, but I too am interested in family activities. We will be on IOP with our 9 year old grandson and would like to take him crabbing, but don't know which company to go with. We're open to other suggestions as well.
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Old Jun 18th, 2014, 08:25 AM
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Maggi

You will not need an organised trip to go crabbing, same as it isn't necessary to go on an organised dolphin watch trip. The wildlife is everywhere.

Best course of actual and the most fun is :

Get a crabbing rig from Publix or Piggly Wiggly and a few of packs of frozen chicken necks. Head down into the marshes, preferably off the beaten track to find some peace and quiet. Just find any structure which is raised, say a small bridge or dock.

Hook a chicken neck onto the rig and lower it into the water to find the bottom. Jig it around a little and within a few minutes you are sure to feel a blue crab tugging at the chicken. Tug back and play with the crab, once it feels it is losing the chicken it will hold on for its life. Then just slowly reel the string in and hopefully you will have a crab.

A net is useful, as once they near the surface they sense impending doom and let go.

The whole game is more fun at low tide when you can see the bottom and can play "cat and mouse" with the crabs.

Have fun!

For readers of the Europe Forum : no animals are hurt or injured in the process of this crabbing excercise!
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Old Jun 18th, 2014, 10:41 AM
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Dickie has described the age old way of teaching kids to crab. SO fun.
You might beinterested in going up the coast to Georgetown and taking your grandson on a pirate ship adventure!! It is very cute. Big 3 masted saliling ship out of Georgetown. The crew dresses up like pirates, lets the kids "raise" the sails, tells them pirate stories, etc. It is a 3 hour adventure and very cute.
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Old Jun 18th, 2014, 10:42 AM
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Oh, and at Patirot's Point there is the aircraft carrier.
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Old Jun 18th, 2014, 11:02 AM
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We have a priceless picture of our 8 year old son sat at the "wheel" of the aircraft carrier at Patriots Point.

It is a great trip for kids.

Lunch at Fleet Landing is also good fun, it is a middle market restaurant which is reasonable. Best aspect for kids is the fact that it is a renovated naval building which goes out over the river. You can eat on the outside deck whilst watching the dolphins cruise by!
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Old Jun 19th, 2014, 05:07 PM
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Hi Dickie, that does sound like fun and much cheaper too than the tour. However, the tour does clean and cook the crabs for you, which I haven't a clue how to do. Also, not being familiar with the area I don't know how to find the proper place to do it and when the tide is in or out. I know I sound like a dork, but there you go.

The Pirate Ship sounds perfect, but is sold out during the times we are available. Bummer!
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Old Jun 20th, 2014, 04:12 AM
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Cooking crabs is a no brainer--just steam/boil them and then cut your hands to ribbons picking the meat out!! There isn't any "cleaning".
You can ask any local where to go crabbing. It needs to be on a marsh or around a bridge or pier that you can get close enough to the edge to entice the little buggers in.
I skimmed the posts again--where are you staying? Anyone will tell you where to crab. All you need is some twine and chicken back--and a net.
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Old Jun 20th, 2014, 04:13 AM
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Oops, see where now. Honest, it's a DIY event. LOL
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Old Jun 20th, 2014, 09:05 AM
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It really is that easy.

We are heading for our 4th 2 week visit to Charleston this October.

First time we just looked at the whole crabbing thing with bemused confusion. After half an hour we loved our little battles with the little nippers. We have never been brave enough to cook them!
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Old Jun 20th, 2014, 10:08 AM
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Nothing to cooking them--or steaming. You can steam them as you catch each day and then get enough for a "mess"--put down some newspapers and have at them. THEN you will really appreciate why crab meat is so expensive!!
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Old Jul 1st, 2014, 03:23 AM
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Thanks Gretchen. I just remember buying live blue crabs in Jersey and my friends son took them in the backyard and "cleaned" them, for lack of a better word. Anyway, we are back from Charleston now and never did go crabbing, but I bought soft shell crabs at a seafood market and fried those, lol.
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Old Jul 1st, 2014, 03:25 AM
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PS: BK123, one of the reasons we didn't go crabbing was the extreme HEAT and HUMIDITY and that was in late June. I can't imagine how hot it will be in August. You might want to plan indoor activities for a plan B. All we wanted to do was soak in the pool. We were there for an outdoor wedding and I don't think I have ever been that wet and uncomfortable in my life!
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