There’s a place just off the coast of Edisto Beach where the world stands still. There are no homes and no roads — nothing exists except nature as Mother Earth intended. This place is Otter Island.
What Is Otter Island?
Otter Island is protected by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) as part of the St. Helena Sound Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area, so its nearly 2,000 acres will always remain untouched by the hustle and bustle of the world.
It’s one of the few places where marine life and other animals native to the Lowcountry can live without interference from people. For that reason, the island has one of the most active nesting areas for loggerhead sea turtles. It’s also home to bald eagles and several other rare birds, along with deer and raccoons.
The island is ringed by white sand beaches and brackish marsh and is densely covered in maritime forest and scrub. A few trails have been worn in by deer and visitors, but for the most part it is raw, untouched nature.
Getting to Otter Island
There’s no bridge or ferry, so Otter Island is reachable only by boat or kayak. Motorboats can anchor just off the shore for a day of exploring, fishing, crabbing, or swimming, and kayakers can paddle out from the Edisto marina or another nearby boat landing. Check the Edisto tide chart before you go, since tides and currents in the sound can change quickly.
What You’ll Find
Beachcombers turn up everything from shark’s teeth and sand dollars to seashells and even old artillery shells. It’s also a great vantage point for looking back across the water toward Edisto and watching the dolphins that feed and play in the area.
Camping on Otter Island
Primitive camping on Otter Island really gives you a sense of living on a deserted island — the only sounds at night are marsh birds, waves lapping at the shore, and the rustle of palm fronds. Because the island is a protected preserve, camping is allowed only in designated areas, only with a permit from SCDNR, and only from November 1 through April 30. See SCDNR’s heritage preserve regulations for current rules and permit information.
Know Before You Go
- Access is by boat or kayak only.
- There are no facilities — bring water, closed-toe shoes for the sand spurs, and bug spray in warmer months.
- No dogs are allowed on the island.
- Give nesting sea turtles and shorebirds plenty of space.
- Check the tides before heading out and before heading back.
So the next time you’re in the area, take a trip out to Otter Island to experience the untouched side of the Lowcountry.
