By Liz Mitchell
The Museum of Coastal Carolina in Ocean Isle Beach has new entertaining and educational family programs and special schedules continuing until late August.
The afternoon family programs begin at 3:30 p.m. Salt water fishing is the Monday feature. (No fishing, just learning). Certified Coast Guard Captain Fred David, who is also a former charter fishing boat owner, along with his son Forest David discuss baits, lures, rods and fishing for flounder, Spanish mackerel, surf fishing, crabbing and clamming. The Tuesday program highlights creatures that inhabit an ocean reef at the museum’s dry aquarium which is the largest of its kind in the Southeast. The Wednesday event is about aquatic life and rip currents focusing on personal shoreline safety. A hunt for a shark’s tooth in the museum’s sea fossil pit is included in the Thursday agenda covering the different species of sharks.
On Friday the museum docents demonstrate feeding sea stars, urchins, whelks, crabs, fish and other animals in the touch tank.
The evening series, which begins at 7 p.m. on Mondays, is about sea turtles including a video of local nesting activities and information about the life cycle. The Wednesday program features a walk to two haunted locations (yes, really!) with ghost lore author Will Smith guiding or speaking at the museum if weather is not conducive to the walk. Live snakes and other reptiles showcased by a local snake specialist are the super cool attraction on Thursdays.
The museum’s seven themed galleries are open for self-guided tours every day except Sunday. Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The all-day admission, which includes family afternoon and evening programs, is $8 for adults; $6 for seniors or students; $4 for ages three to four and free for younger children. A summer Family Vacation Pass is available for a full week of unlimited access. Contact the museum at 910.579.1016 or visit museumplanetarium.org for more details.