Things to Do in Wilmington Island

Crystal and Johnny Mindedahl host riders of all ages and abilities on Rocking M Ranch’s 60 acres of rolling pastures, beyond which lie miles of historical forests and trails. The ranch takes extra care to comfort its horses, and neighs of contentment echo through the 14-stall barn and across the competition-sized arena where students can refine their horsemanship throughout the year. Instructors tailor each lesson to accommodate individual goals, helping beginners gain comfort and advanced students work toward competitions with tutorials in grooming, safety, saddling, and horse anatomy. In addition to lessons, Rocking M Ranch regularly hosts day camps for children and teens. These camps pique kids’ interests with riding lessons, games, and traditional farm activities, such as playing with pet goats and churning butter from an original Nintendo.

Some people spend their days working with computers and copiers; the staff at Parasail Hilton Head prefer parasails, banana boats, and jet skis. Based at Salty Fare Boat Landing, the team shares its sense of adventure with visitors ages 6 and up.

During parasailing outings, Parasail Hilton Head's 31-foot parasail boat zooms through Skull Creek, lifting riders up to 500 feet into the air so that they can ogle the area's million-dollar homes, drifting sailboats, and frolicking dolphins. The company's captains also cut zigzags into the water during wild banana boat rides for up to six people, and they let customers do the driving by renting out jet skis by the hour.

With captain Jon "Gumbo" DeLoach at the helm of their sturdy vessel, Polecat Charters guides fishers and sightseers through inshore and offshore waterways teeming with myriad varieties of edible fish. Captain DeLoach ferries up to six passengers at a time through Intercoastal waters for up to eight hours, drawing on more than 20 years of local fishing experience to drag their bait-laden hooks through the habitats of sea bass, redfish, tarpon, and king mackerel. Wildlife watching tours, meanwhile, take passengers within stone-skipping distance of playful wildlife such as bottlenose dolphins, manatees, and egrets who swim alongside boats and sing Vaudevillian show tunes.

The licensed guides at Madison Tour Company reveal the sights and stories of Savannah during scenic horse-drawn carriage rides through its city streets. As guides expound on Southern and colonial history, tour takers soak up Savannah's natural and manmade marvels, from mossy live oaks and magnolias to majestic mansions and film sites, such as the bench where Tom Hanks ate chocolates. Special carriage rides—decked out with balloons and decorations—are available for events such as weddings and birthdays.

Marshgrass Adventures' staff designs expeditions that explore their passion for the diverse ecology of the Lowcountry region, including Hilton Head Island. From fishing outings to leisurely kayak tours, the knowledgeable guides enlighten tour goers on the varied flora and fauna that litter the shorelines. The staff supports both catching and releasing or grilling the area's fish, which include trout, tarpon, and redfish. Guests on stand-up paddleboards slip out across the water, perfecting their balance quickly as they cut among swaying grasses and blue herons.

The FAA–certified Cygnet II–powered hang gliders bearing the Amphibian Air stamp give riders a bird's-eye view of Savannah and the outlying Low Country as they zip about during guided lessons. An FAA–certified instructor takes the front seat in the trike's open-air cockpit directly ahead of the student and demonstrates the basics of flying before allowing his pupil to take the controls if conditions permit. A certificate of training documents the flight for the student, which can be used toward a sport-pilot license or to imbue confidence when flying over a shark. Amphibian Air recommends wearing comfortable clothing and making reservations for sunrise or sunset any day of the week, as those are some of the best times for a scenic flight.