🌾 Estuary to Table

Where Ecology Meets the Plate

The Lowcountry’s food culture begins in the marsh.

Estuary to Table is a relaxed, immersive experience that brings together two things we love most: being on the water and sharing good food.

This experience explores how tides, habitat, and species interactions shape the seafood and food traditions of coastal South Carolina. Through storytelling and place-based education, guests gain a deeper understanding of the connection between healthy ecosystems and local food systems.

We’ll depart from Sunset Cay Marina and cruise through the tidal creeks behind Folly Beach, keeping an eye out for dolphins, birds, and other wildlife that thrive in the estuary. Along the way, your naturalist captain will introduce the day’s featured seafood—crabs, shrimp, or oysters—sharing how it lives, where it comes from, and why the estuary plays such an important role in both the ecosystem and local culture.

We’ll then stop on a nearby barrier island or protected shoreline to prepare and enjoy fresh, local seafood together. The pace is unhurried, the setting is beautiful, and the experience is as much about connection as it is about the meal.

Every Estuary to Table trip is private and customized to your group’s interests, energy level, and the day’s conditions.

This is an educational experience rooted in curiosity and appreciation.

A Deeper Look at Coastal Resources

Topics vary by season and conditions but may include:

• marsh nurseries
• fisheries connections
• sustainable practices
• historical context
• cultural ties to the water

This experience is less about movement and more about understanding place.

Choose Your Estuary Experience

The exact plan depends on the season, tides, and seafood availability. Options may include:

🦀 Blue Crabs
Learn how blue crabs are caught and enjoy a classic Lowcountry crab boil on the beach.

🦪 Oysters
Visit wild oyster beds and enjoy an oyster roast while learning about oyster ecology and restoration.

🦐 Shrimp & Apps
Try your hand at cast-netting for shrimp, followed by peel-and-eat shrimp on the boat. This is the most relaxed, least hands-on option and typically runs about 2 hours.

Not sure which to choose? We’re happy to help you decide based on the season and your group.

**Please let us know about any seafood allergies when booking.**

Perfect For

• Family Gatherings
• Food lovers
• Sustainability-minded travelers
• Locals interested in coastal systems

Please call for day-of bookings as seats are not always available online.