Fish Island: The Picnic Pavilion in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve

• What it is: The Forest Preserve’s picnic area and pavilion
• Pavilion rental: $50 owners, $100 everyone else
• Hours: Dawn to dusk

Fish Island is the picnic spot inside the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, off Fish Island Trail between the Warner W. Plahs Wildflower Field and Lake Joe. It has the only facilities in the preserve: a covered pavilion, picnic tables, grills, drinking water and portable toilets. Most visits to Fish Island in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve are a picnic, the alligator boat tour that leaves from here, or both.

Getting to Fish Island

You can walk in on a raised wooden path beside Lake Joe, ride a bike, or drive. Bikes are not allowed on the preserve’s walking trails, so if you ride, lock up at the bike parking and walk the last stretch on the path. The preserve is open from dawn to dusk, and dogs are welcome on a leash.

The preserve is inside the Sea Pines gate, on Greenwood Drive. Day visitors pay the gate fee, $10 per vehicle; the preserve itself lists no admission charge. The guest pass office page explains the pass.

Renting the Fish Island Pavilion

The CSA rents the pavilion for events and gatherings, first come, first served: $50 for Sea Pines property owners and $100 for everyone else. Call 843-671-3299 to book. A group outing in the preserve also needs a permit, from the CSA at 843-671-1343.

The Alligator Boat Tour

H2O Sports runs a one-hour guided tour of the preserve’s freshwater lakes from Fish Island, in a quiet 12-passenger electric boat. It costs $34 for adults (13 and up) and $22 for children 12 and under, booked through H2O Sports. It is the way to see the alligators up close without going near the water’s edge yourself.

Fishing, Swimming and Alligators

• Fishing: the stocked lakes are for Sea Pines property owners, their guests and resort guests, with a paid permit from the CSA office at 175 Greenwood Drive. No minnows as bait.

• Swimming: not allowed anywhere in the preserve.

• Alligators: they live in the lakes around Fish Island. Stay at least 60 feet away, never feed them, and keep dogs and children back from the edge.

• Boats: property owners can register and store a non-powered boat for the lakes; the CSA issues the decals.

Near Fish Island

The Wildflower Field is right next door and at its best in spring. The rest of the preserve, including the shell ring and the boardwalks, is covered on our Forest Preserve page. Lawton Stables rides through the preserve on horseback, and the Sea Pines Forest Preserve Foundation’s fall Bonfire is on our Sea Pines events page. For more, see our guide to Sea Pines activities.