Adventure Collective
Cultural History & Nature with Gullah Heritage Trail Tours - Savannah

Cultural History & Nature with Gullah Heritage Trail Tours

Hilton Head Islandeasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

2.5 hours

Fitness Level

No special fitness level required, suitable for most visitors

Overview

Discover Hilton Head’s rich Gullah culture on a 2.5-hour guided bus tour. Dive into history, music, and local traditions with firsthand stories from descendants.

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Heritage Tour

Starting at $25 | 2.5 Hours | All Ages Welcome!

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Adventure Photos

Heritage Tour photo 1

About This Adventure

Embark on a captivating 2.5-hour bus tour through Hilton Head's Gullah communities, guided by native descendants of former slaves. Discover their rich cultural heritage, including language, food, and music, while exploring historic sites like family compounds and plantation ruins. Enjoy a refreshing break with ocean views along the way.

Gullah people are known for preserving more of their African linguistic and cultural heritage than any other African-American community in the United States.


Duration

2.5 hours


About

Learn about the culture of Gullah people during a two-hour narrated bus tour, and other Hilton Head activities. The tours are narrated by native Gullah folks who are descendants of former slaves dating back to years immediately after the Civil War. You will travel through the Gullah communities on Hilton Head Island when the island’s landscape was only farmlands, trees, dirt roads, wildlife and natural waterways throughout and around the island. The distinctive Gullah language, traditional foods, and recipes, music, religion, social structure, and folktales will all be woven into an interactive educational and entertaining experience. You will come away with an understanding of how the descendants of former enslaved people developed and maintained these communities on the then-isolated island.

At the halfway point, you will have a 15-20 minute rest stop at one of the Public Beach accesses, allowing for a casual stroll over a boardwalk to view the Atlantic Ocean and refresh.


Tour Highlights

  • Gullah Family Compounds
  • Old Debarkation Point (used before the island’s connection to the mainland)
  • Old One-room School House
  • Plantation Tabby Ruins
  • Historic Marker of First Freedom Village

Adventure Tips

Bring Sun Protection

Wear hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen to stay comfortable during outdoor stops.

Stay Hydrated

Carry water with you, especially on warm days, to avoid dehydration.

Book in Advance

Reserve your spot ahead of time as tours are popular and fill quickly.

Prepare for Walking

Wear comfortable shoes for walking around historic sites and community spaces.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Saltmarsh cordgrass
  • Osprey

History

The Gullah culture is a unique blending of African traditions preserved by enslaved Africans on the Sea Islands since the 18th century.

Conservation

Tour operators participate in local conservation efforts to preserve the natural habitats and cultural sites.

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Adventure Hotspots in Savannah

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Sun Hat

Essential

Protects from sun exposure during outdoor parts of the tour.

spring|summer specific

Comfortable Walking Shoes

Essential

Necessary for walking at historic sites and community areas.

all specific

Sunscreen

Essential

Helps prevent sunburn while outdoors.

summer specific

Water Bottle

Essential

Keeps you hydrated throughout the tour.

all specific