General Information

Technical Tours

50th Anniversary Coastal Sediments Celebration: Coastal Field Trip

For our 50th Anniversary Coastal Sediments Celebration, we are offering a full-day field trip that can also be experienced as a half-day excursion. The trip combines coastal engineering projects, barrier-island environments, and the unique landscapes of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

We will depart promptly at 8:00 a.m. from the Marriott Hotel by bus and head south to Folly Beach, South Carolina. Folly Beach is a developed barrier island where we will visit several coastal engineering projects, including the Folly Beach Terminal Groin and the Folly Beach Shore Protection Project. We will also visit the Washout, one of the Southeast U.S.’s best-known surfing spots, along with other areas of interest.

Around midday, we will travel to Sullivan’s Island, with stops to view Shem Creek and Breach Inlet along the way. We will then continue to the 41st Avenue Marina on Isle of Palms for a boat trip along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. During the cruise, our guides will highlight distinctive features of the Lowcountry landscape and coastal environment that are best observed from the water. We will also transit Dewees Inlet and Capers Inlet, landing on Capers Island--a classic beach ridge barrier island--for a one-hour beach walk featuring sand spits, incipient dunes, washovers, climax maritime forest, and a "boneyard" beach of pine and live oak trees.

Half-Day and Full-Day Options

Participants may choose a morning half-day excursion, afternoon half-day excursion, or full-day field trip.

  • Morning half-day: Depart the Marriott Hotel at 8:00 a.m. and travel to the marina, with visits to Folly Beach and other coastal sites along the way. Transportation will be provided back to the hotel from the marina at the conclusion of the morning tour.
  • Afternoon half-day: Depart the Marriott Hotel at 12:00 p.m. and meet the group at the marina for the boat tour and visit to Dewees Island.
  • Full-day: Participate in both the morning and afternoon portions of the excursion, returning to the hotel from the marina at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Lunch will be provided for all full-day participants, and water will be available throughout the tour.

Pricing:

  • Morning or afternoon half-day: $200
  • Full-day field trip: $350