About: The St. Helena Sound Heritage Preserve is a collection of sea islands totaling 10,301 acres of upland and wetland property located along the St. Helena Sound. It is isolated, undeveloped, and protected by open water boundaries. Owned and managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), the preserve is also considered to be a designated Wildlife Management Area and a portion of the ACE Basin area.
Listed below are properties that consist of the preserve:
- Otter Island (1,899 acres)
- Ashe Island (1,722 acres)
- Beet Island (1,685 acres)
- Big/Warren Islands (2,241 acres)
- South Williman Island (2,764 acres)
Otter Island receives special protection because of its significance for rare plants, threatened and endangered species, and as a historic site. Otter's significance as a rich wildlife area is due in large part to its location. There are developed islands to the north (Edisto Island) and to the south (Harbor, Fripp, and Hunting). Thus, for a long stretch of coastline, Otter is the only spot where wildlife species can rest, feed and reproduce without development pressures. The island includes maritime forests, freshwater, brackish wetlands, open salt marsh, undisturbed dune fields, and shrub thickets. It is one of the State's most active nesting areas for loggerhead sea turtles and also provides nesting and feeding habitat for the endangered piping plover, peregrine falcon, wood stork, and southern bald eagle. Daytime public use is allowed year-round, but access points may be limited due to wildlife resting and nesting locations. Camping is allowed on Otter Island from November through March by permit. Archery hunting for deer is allowed by permit from September 15 - January 1. Permits for camping and hunting are available from the McKenzie Field Station (843) 844-8822.
Other islands within the Preserve are also accessible only by boat. Like Otter, these islands are open year-round for daytime visitation. There are no facilities on any of the islands and one should be prepared for primitive conditions when visiting. Plant communities are similar on the islands and contain the South Atlantic barrier island forest, salt shrub thicket, salt marsh, barrier island ponds, shell mounds, and sand/mud flats. Wildlife includes white-tailed deer, raccoons, bobcats, rattlesnakes, and a variety of songbirds, waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds.
Location: St. Helena Sound Heritage Preserve and WMA is only accessible by boat.
