Birdability

Birdability focuses on removing barriers to access for birders with mobility challenges and disabilities or other health concerns. According to the Birdability.org website:

Birdability works to ensure the birding community and the outdoors are welcoming, inclusive, safe and accessible for everybody. We focus on people with mobility challenges, blindness or low vision, chronic illness, intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental illness, and those who are neurodivergent, deaf or hard of hearing or who have other health concerns. In addition to current birders, we strive to introduce birding to people with disabilities and other health concerns who are not yet birders so they too can experience the joys of birding.

Below is list of accessible birding locations on and around Hilton Head Island:

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is a recognized Important Bird Area but it is walkable only, no private cars are permitted. However free Accessibility tours of Pinckney via an electric vehicle are available. Please visit this website to learn more and reserve a spot: https://coastalrefuges.org/pinckney-tours/.

The Audubon Newhall Preserve is a peaceful oasis on the Island. It has wide paths, a short boardwalk and a viewing platform overlooking the pond with a walking distance from the parking lot that is manageable. Handicap parking spaces are available. Newhall is becoming more ADA compliant and is now listed on the Birdability website as we continue to make more accessibility improvements. Tree roots have been remove to make the paths more wheelchair accessible and the ramp to the observation deck is ADA accessible. . There are also many benches within the Preserve to sit and rest under a shaded canopy. Hilton Head Audubon offers weekly guided tours from October to May. A Preserve map and bird check list is available for download: https://hiltonheadaudubon.org/audubon-newhall-preserve/.

The Sea Pines Forest Preserve is a recognized Important Bird Area located within Sea Pines Plantation on the south end of the Island. There is a gate fee for non-residents to access the Preserve. The Preserve is very accessible in many areas, you can drive to various places in it and it has wide paths and elevated boardwalks that wind through wetlands. There is a picnic area near one of the lakes where you park and view wildlife. Guided boat and wagon tours are also offered. http://www.hiltonhead-sc.com/sea-pines.html

Fish Haul Beach faces the Port Royal Sound and is an active birding location year-round especially during fall and spring migration. There is a short boardwalk with an observation deck that offers a view of the mudflats and marshes. https://www.hiltonheadisland.com/fish-haul-creek-beach/

Jarvis Creek Park is located mid-island on Hilton Head Island. It has a short boardwalk and paved path (about 1 mile) around the lake for easy accessibility. There is also a viewing deck overlooking the lake. To learn more, click here: https://www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/parks/JarvisCreek/

The Coastal Discovery Museum on the site of the former Honey Horn Plantation on Hilton Head Island offers guided small bus nature tours and experiences for a fee. The grounds and gardens are accessible and offer wide paths for moderate walking. There is a boardwalk that extends into Jarvis Creek for viewing wildlife. https://www.coastaldiscovery.org/visit/

About 45 minutes from Hilton Head Islands is the wonderful Cypress Wetlands in Port Royal, SC. The park is boardwalk accessible and teeming with bird and wildlife easily viewable from the boardwalk. https://www.sctrails.net/trails/trail/cypress-wetlands