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Capers Island, South Carolina

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View Southwest down the beach on Capers Island
Capers Island
Capers Island is located in South Carolina
Capers Island
Capers Island
Capers Island (South Carolina)
Geography
LocationAtlantic Ocean
Coordinates32°51′07″N 79°41′49″W / 32.852°N 79.697°W / 32.852; -79.697
Area1.66 sq mi (4.3 km2)
Length3.11 mi (5.01 km)
Width.53 mi (0.85 km)
Administration
United States
State South Carolina
CountyCharleston County
Nature Trail on Capers Island

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.[1]

The island is named for French Huguenot immigrants Gabriel, Richard and William Capiers that settled there in 1697.

Visiting

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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

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Capers Island is a barrier island with a number of discrete habitats including:

  • Maritime uplands
  • Sandy beach
  • Salt marsh
  • Brackish ponds

Flora

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Plant species on the island include:

Fauna

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Numerous animal species inhabit the island and surrounding waters and marshes on a seasonal or permanent basis.

Mammals

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Birds

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Reptiles

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Fish

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red drum

Crustaceans

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Mollusks

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References

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  1. ^ "Capers Island Heritage Preserve". South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Archived from the original on 28 November 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2014.