Capers Island is a state-owned barrier island on the Atlantic Ocean in Charleston County, South Carolina about 15 miles north of the city of Charleston. It is separated from the mainland by salt marshes and the Intracoastal Waterway. To the southwest it is separated from the barrier island Dewees Island by Capers Inlet. To the northwest, it is separated from the barrier island Bulls Island by Price Inlet.
The island is named for French Huguenot immigrants Gabriel, Richard and William Capiers that settled there in 1697.
Visiting Capers Island is undeveloped and maintained by the State of South Carolina. There is a small dock on Capers Inlet that has a boardwalk across the marsh to an unpaved nature trail which leads to the beach approximately 1 mile to the southeast. Primitive camping is permitted. However, a free permit must be acquired from the State Department of Natural Resources and is limited to 80 campers per night in no more than 20 groups.
Natural Habitat Capers Island is a barrier island with a number of discrete habitats including: Maritime uplands Sandy beach Salt marsh Brackish ponds
Flora Plant species on the island include: Sabal palm
Fauna Numerous animal species inhabit the island and surrounding waters and marshes on a seasonal or permanent basis.
Mammals Raccoon White-tailed deer Bottlenose dolphins
Birds Bald eagle Osprey Egret Heron Ibis Bittern Brown pelican
Reptiles American alligator Loggerhead sea turtle eastern diamondback rattlesnake timber rattlesnake carolina pygmy rattlesnake cottonmouth
Fish Bull shark White shark Bonnethead shark Sea trout Red drum Flounder Black drum King whiting Spot Pompano Croaker red drum
Crustaceans Shrimp Ghost crab Blue crab Fiddler crab
Mollusks Oyster
References