Capers Island Heritage Preserve
Contact Information
SC Department of Natural Resources
Heritage Trust Program
(803) 734-3886 (Columbia)
(843) 953-9300 (Charleston)
Hours of Operation
The area is open during daylight hours year-round.
Contributions to the Endangered Wildlife Fund on the South Carolina Income Tax Form help to make the identification and management of these preserves possible.
Description
Capers Island is a classic, undeveloped barrier island located about 15 miles north of Charleston between Dewees Island and the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. The island lies about three miles offshore, and is approximately three miles in length and one mile in width. It encompasses 850 acres of maritime uplands, 214 acres of front beach, 1,090 acres of salt marsh and over 100 acres of brackish water impoundments.
Wildlife habitat diversity is outstanding. One can observe alligators, white-tailed deer, raccoons, loggerhead sea turtles. There are also numerous birds, such as herons, egrets, ibises, bitterns, and various waterfowl species. Each year ospreys nest on Capers near the front beach. Eagles can also be seen soaring over the island from time to time. The creeks and marshes adjacent to Capers are alive with oysters, shrimp, hard clams, crabs and many species of finfish such as sea trout, red drum, flounder, black drum, king whiting, spot, pompano, and croaker.