Visit the Maritime Center
Location & Hours
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The Maritime Center
310 Okatie Highway
Okatie, SC 29909
Tues – Fri 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
*Free Admission
Perfect for ALL ages!
Wheelchair accessible.
The Sound Effect
Start your Lowcountry adventure at the Maritime Center.
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The Port Royal Sound Foundation renovated the former Lemon Island Marina to establish the Maritime Center, an engaging and exciting educational experience for all. The Maritime Center opened in November 2014 and features exhibits, live animals, as well as indoor and outdoor hands-on educational opportunities where visitors of all ages can learn about the Port Royal Sound.
Interested in a group tour? Call 843-645-7774. Guided tours are generally $10/person with a group minimum of 10 people.
To see our current calendar of events, click here.
We host a wide array of programs at The Maritime Center; including our Sound Vision Webinar Series, our Annual Recycled Art Contest, and our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Festival, just to name a few. To learn more about our programs, click here.
Get-up close and personal with alligators, snakes, turtles, and saltwater fish.
Travel beack in time with megalodon teeth and historic fossils.
Take in the natural beauty from our docks on the banks of the Port Royal Sound.
Gullah Geechee history and culture
Local seafood traditions
Art inspired by the Port Royal Sound
Stories and events showcasing the Lowcountry’s rich heritage
Influential figures who shaped history
Antique crabbing, shrimping, and oystering artifacts
Guided hikes through nature trails and mud flats
Naturalist-led kayak excursions through the salt marsh
Educational tours and interactive activities
How to Find Us
From Savannah
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- Take US-17 N, SC-315 N and SC-170 E to Mudbar Rd in Port Royal.
- Head west on W Bay St toward W Upper Factors Walk.
- Turn left onto Fahm St.
- Turn right onto GA-25 Connector N/W Oglethorpe Ave.
- Take the ramp onto GA-404 Spur N/US-17 N.
- Turn right onto SC-315 N.
- Continue onto SC-170 E.
- Continue onto May River Rd.
- At the traffic circle, take the 3rd exit onto SC-170 E.
- Turn right onto Mudbar Rd.
- Turn left onto Okatie Hwy.
- The Maritime Center will be on your right.
From Hilton Head
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- Head west on US-278 W/William Hilton Pkwy toward Kirby Ln.
- Keep right to continue on US-278 W/Fording Island Rd.
- Exit onto SC-170 E toward Beaufort.
- Turn right onto Mudbar Rd.
- Turn left onto Okatie Hwy.
- The Maritime Center will be on your right.
From Bluffton
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- Take US-278 W/Fording Island Rd and SC-170 E to Mudbar Rd in Port Royal.
- Head west on Bruin Rd toward Boundary St.
- Turn right onto SC-46 E/Bluffton Rd.
- At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto SC-46 E.
- Use any lane to turn left onto US-278 W/Fording Island Rd.
- Exit onto SC-170 E toward Beaufort.
- Turn right onto Mudbar Rd.
- Turn left onto Okatie Hwy.
- The Maritime Center will be on your right.
