Barrier Island
Eco-Exploration Tour
(2.5 - 3 hours)

Summary:
2.5 - 3 hour cruise, Bull River to the Atlantic Ocean. Travel through marshlands to barrier islands of the Georgia coast. Narration will include history, ecology and relationship of various parts of the Coastal Georgia ecosystem.

Vessel Information:
The "Island Explorer", a 45 foot trihull excursion vessel, seats 40 passengers comfortably and will accommodate 49 passengers. Vessel was designed and built for coastal Georgia waters. Boat Features: padded seating, restroom, stereo, cordless PA system, USCG safety equipment; is handicap friendly, and more. Boat is ultra stable - no seasickness.

Typical Cruise Scenario:

1. Load passengers at Bull River Marina’s dock.

2. As we leave the dock, talk about floating docks and tidal issues; expound on tides, how they are influenced and their cycles.

3. We’d cruise down the river towards the ocean and barrier islands.

4. Barrier Island Beach Walk, weather permitting.

Williamson Island

Topics of discussion would include:

• The marshland ecology, Georgia has one third of the marshes on the eastern seaboard. A vital nursery for many forms of life in the area.

• Variety of bird sightings and discussion of interesting facts on those birds.

• Sightings of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin (98% success rate), discussion of “dolphin” facts. Interactive discussion of information concerning dolphins and their habits.

• The river itself and the life contained in it; sharks, mullet, shrimp, soft corals, etc.

• Discovery Trawl; we haul a trawl net through the water to see what type of exotic species we can find. Usual examples include shrimp, squid, jelly fish, puffer fish, Blue Crabs, Stone Crabs and many small fish... but, you never know. We’ll talk about these finds.

• Variety of local history: Lazaretto Creek, Tybee Island, Blackbeard, pirates, freed black villages, barrier island inhabitants and more.

• The differences of a sound and a bay.

• Barrier Islands, how they are formed, change and what is found on them. (we will be cruising within feet of them) Talk about Georgia’s 16 barrier islands and how only four have causeways to them, the rest are protected and unique in their own way.

As we cruise the waterways of the low country, we will talk about what we see and answer questions of the passengers, there will be times of just enjoying the scenery.

Each cruise is different, we try to gauge your interests and give you what you want. Call us with your interests or questions. We do cruises that range from 1.5 – 8 hours. From Savannah Refuge to Ossabaw Island, we’ll explore the areas you want.