Most longtime Myrtle Beach vacationers have seen the Grand Strand from many different angles and vantage points — from dry land, from the ocean and maybe even from high up in the sky while parasailing, zip-lining or riding the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel. But few visitors get to see a small slice of the coastal Lowcountry that you can only experience through Carolina Safari Jeep Tours.
Sure, Bay View on the Boardwalk guests already have convenient access to many of Myrtle Beach’s main attractions — including the Atlantic Ocean, the downtown district and the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. But to go off the beaten path to see some of the Grand Strand’s best-kept secrets, such as abandoned rice fields and plantations, nature preserves and other historic sites, you’re going to need a Jeep and a good tour guide. That’s where Carolina Safari Jeep Tours separates itself from many other local tour companies.
It all starts with a modified Jeep that holds up to 14 passengers and has a convertible roof for an open-air experience. Driven by an experienced and knowledgeable guide specializing in the South Carolina Lowcountry, the Jeep can access some hidden gems that you won’t find on the average tour. Enjoy up-close encounters with native wildlife such as alligators, otters and birds of prey, and visit man-made attractions such as Brookgreen Gardens, Pawleys Island and historic Georgetown.
Founded and operated by a former Harvard University naturalist, Carolina Safari Jeep Tours has been introducing patrons to the magic of the Lowcountry since 1994. The tours highlight the area’s rich Colonial-era history and heritage, local legends and folklore, and the natural beauty of the South Carolina coast. Take in the sights and sounds from the comfort of the Jeep while you ride beneath rows of live oaks and wildflowers, or get out and walk around while exploring old plantation homes.
The Plantation Tour takes passengers to some of the area’s wealthiest homesteads of the 1700s, and sights to see include the historic houses, slave cabins, cemeteries and rice fields where the former cash crop still grows wild 300 years later. The tour also rolls through Pawleys Island, known as the oldest resort in America, where historic beach homes and inns provide a picturesque setting for folks who appreciate the good life along the Carolina coast. A trip to the port city of Georgetown is also part of the tour.
The Nature Tour allows patrons to get out of the Jeep and spend some time looking around at the scenic beauty of the Strand. Huntington Beach State Park and Brookgreen Gardens are hot spots for bird-watching, hiking through maritime forests and taking breathtaking pictures of pristine salt marshes. The Huntington Beach State Park visit also includes a tour of Atalaya Castle, a seaside replica of a Spanish fortress, while Brookgreen Gardens offers more than 9,000 acres of artistic and natural beauty.
Carolina Safari Jeep Tours also offers a motorcoach version of some tours, allowing for larger groups to get a similar taste of the area. Trips to as far away as the historic city of Charleston about 90 miles to the south are also available. Tours are available seven days a week and can be arranged around your schedule. For pricing and other information, call 843-497-JEEP or visit www.carolinasafari.com.
After taking a scenic tour of the South Carolina Lowcountry from the back of a Jeep, it’s time to return back to the modern luxuries of Bay View on the Boardwalk. Enjoy a nice soak in the hot tub or a dip in the indoor or outdoor pools, or take a stroll down the Boardwalk to some of Myrtle Beach’s most popular attractions. It’s just one more way that Bay View Resort allows guests to experience the best of both worlds.