Sea Pines Plantation Nature Preserves

Forest Preserve

When Charles Fraser began developing Sea Pines in the early ‘50s, he concentrated on keeping the island’s abundance of natural beauty as untouched as possible.  To this day Sea Pines’ Forest Preserve covers approximately 605 acres, home to diverse flora and fauna including over 200 species of critters as well as lagoons and salt marshes.  Here you will find a Wildflower Meadow, a thousand-foot-long boardwalk, the Low Ropes Team Building Course, and miles of bike trails and walking paths.  Even fishing is allowed, albeit with the correct permit.

Are you a history fanatic?  Sea Pines Plantation Forest Preserve has its share of historic landmarks.  The 4,000-year-old Indian Shell Ring, for example, is believed to have been constructed around 1450 B. C.  A circle of shells and bones piled several feet high, it is one of only twenty shell rings still in existence. Those responsible for its assembly are also believed to have invented pottery here, in North America.

The Stoney-Baynard ruins, once an 18th century plantation house, are now open for tours.  The property is covered with oyster shells and its architecture includes porthole-shaped windows.