The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc
The Coastal Discovery Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit museum on a 70-acre historic Honey Horn property in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, serving 130,000+ annual visitors through free admission, paid educational programs, tours, venue rentals, and community events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersHilton Head Island, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc does
The Coastal Discovery Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit museum and nature preserve located on a 70-acre historic property at Honey Horn on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Founded in 1985 as The Environmental and Historical Museum of Hilton Head Island and operating at its permanent Honey Horn home since 2007, the museum serves more than 130,000 visitors annually through free admission, supported by donations and memberships. Its product portfolio spans rotating gallery exhibitions, permanent historical exhibits (including the Santa Elena Center on 16th-century colonial history), guided tours and workshops (Dolphin & Nature Cruise, Gullah Heritage Trail, Sweetgrass Basket Workshop, Blue Crab Discovery, Segway tours), interactive animal programs, school and homeschool educational programming, and seasonal community events including an annual Art Market, Farmers Market, Cocktails & Camellias gala, and Native Plant Sale.
The museum's technology base is essentially non-digital: it is a physical destination experience centered on grounds, exhibits, historic buildings, gardens, and live programming rather than a software platform. There are no proprietary technology products, AI/ML capabilities, or significant digital infrastructure. Distribution occurs entirely at the Honey Horn property through walk-in visitation, online booking for paid programs, and direct outreach to school and corporate groups.
The business model is a hybrid nonprofit monetization stack combining suggested donations, recurring memberships, one-time program fees ($5-$80 per participant), venue rental fees for weddings and corporate events, Art Market vendor and admission fees, and conservation adoption programs (Adopt-a-Nest, Adopt-a-Dolphin). Customers span individual tourists, K-12 school groups, homeschool families, wedding couples, corporate retreat groups, community organizations, and museum members/supporters. Strategic partnerships with the Smithsonian Institution, Town of Hilton Head Island, Audubon, NIBCAA, Outside Foundation, and Palmetto Electric support programming and operational capacity.
The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc
- Legal name
- Coastal Discovery Museum
- Website
- https://coastaldiscovery.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Coastal Discovery Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit museum on a 70-acre historic Honey Horn property in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, serving 130,000+ annual visitors through free admission, paid educational programs, tours, venue rentals, and community events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Museums and Cultural Attractions
- NAICS
- Museums (712110), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Museums (71211)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Specialty Museums (e.g., Maritime, Aviation, Sports, Music, Film) (THAJADAF), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH), Marine Wildlife & Coastal Nature Tours (Whale/Dolphin Watching, Sea Kayaking) (THAAAEAD), Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching) (THAJAJAA)
Keywords
Where The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hilton Head Island
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: Free admission with suggested donations to support the museum's mission to inspire care for the Lowcountry. Donations help care for the land, protect wildlife, and keep programs accessible.
- Membership Program: Annual memberships that provide exclusive benefits and help keep the museum's grounds, gardens, exhibitions, and educational programs thriving.
- Venue Rentals and Event Hosting: The historic Honey Horn property is rented for weddings, receptions, family reunions, corporate retreats, photo shoots, film locations, and other events. Features include a 4,000-square-foot covered Pavilion and terrace overlooking Jarvis Creek.
- Paid Educational Programs and Tours: Various paid programs including dolphin cruises, blue crab discovery, Gullah heritage tours, sweetgrass basket workshops, director's walks, and other hands-on experiences for visitors.
- Art Market Vendor Fees: Annual juried fine art and craft show featuring 85+ artists. Admission fee of $5 per person supports museum exhibitions and educational programs.
- Adopt-a-Nest and Adopt-a-Dolphin Programs: Conservation-focused adoption programs allowing supporters to symbolically adopt turtle nests or dolphins to support wildlife protection efforts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Critter Meet & Greet - $10 per person |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Dolphin & Nature Cruise - $35 adult / $20 child |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Blue Crab Discovery - $20 adult / $10 child |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gullah Heritage Trail Tour - $49 adult / $25 child |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sweetgrass Basket Workshop - $80 per person |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Indigo Tie-Dye Party - $15 per person |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Director's Walk - $25 adult / $10 child |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Explore Honey Horn - $15 adult / $7 child |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Creature Craft - $5 per crafter |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Marsh Critters - $10 per person |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Life Under the Sea - $5 per person |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Creature Feature - $7 per person |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kayaking Tour of Jarvis Creek - $40 adult / $36 child |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Birding at Pinckney Island - $15 per person |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Forts of Port Royal - $15 adult / $7 child |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Civil War on Hilton Head - $15 adult / $7 child |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Friday Feeding Frenzy - $20 adult / $15 child |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Camellia Garden Talk & Tour - $25 adult |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Art Market Admission - $5 per person |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Discovery Night Workshops - Various prices |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Coastal Discovery Museum operates a 70-acre historic museum and nature preserve at Honey Horn on Hilton Head Island, offering free admission to permanent and rotating exhibits, hands-on wildlife encounters, guided nature and cultural tours, workshops, school programs, and seasonal fundraising events. Paid offerings include dolphin cruises, Gullah heritage tours, sweetgrass basket workshops, segway tours, and venue rentals for weddings and corporate events. The museum is supported by memberships, donations, sponsorships, program fees, and grants as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Smithsonian Affiliate.
Product overview
The Coastal Discovery Museum is a 70-acre historic property at Honey Horn offering a unified portfolio of educational and cultural experiences. The core products include permanent exhibits (Discovery House, historical buildings), rotating gallery exhibitions, and the Santa Elena Center showcasing 16th-century colonial history. The museum provides diverse tour programs (walking tours, Segway tours, Dolphin cruises, Gullah Heritage Trail), hands-on workshops (Sweetgrass Basket, Indigo Tie-Dye), and interactive animal programs (Critter Meet & Greet, Butterfly Learning Station). Seasonal events include the Art Market, Farmers Market, Cocktails & Camellias gala, and Native Plant Sale. The venue also offers wedding and event rentals. School programs provide field trips and educational outreach. The museum operates as a free-admission cultural attraction welcoming over 130,000 visitors annually as a Smithsonian Affiliate.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 130,000+ visitors served annually
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Santa Elena History Center / Santa Elena FoundationcoreThe Santa Elena Foundation dissolved on August 2, 2020, and all assets were transferred to Coastal Discovery Museum. This included over 100,000 visitors served by the center's educational programs, research materials, and exhibition content. CDM received $1.1 million in funding to create a permanent Santa Elena exhibition and collections storage facility.
- Smithsonian InstitutioncoreThe museum is a proud Smithsonian Affiliate, providing access to national museum resources, traveling exhibitions, and programming support. This affiliation enhances the museum's credibility and educational offerings.
- The Outside FoundationminorThe Outside Foundation leads oyster shell bagging efforts at Honey Horn, hosting events throughout the year to restore reefs and support marine ecosystems. This partnership supports the museum's environmental conservation mission.
- Hilton Head AudubonminorPartnership to host events that promote environmental awareness and appreciation for the island's natural beauty. Includes birding tours and conservation education programs.
- Native Island Business and Community Affairs Association (NIBCAA)coreCollaboration on the annual Gullah Celebration, a month-long series of events showcasing and honoring the cultural heritage of the Gullah Geechee community. The museum hosts the exhibition featuring posters from the 30-year celebration history.
- RBC HeritageminorThe museum provides parking access for the RBC Heritage, South Carolina's premiere PGA TOUR event played on Hilton Head Island since 1969.
- Concours d'EleganceminorMuseum property serves as venue host for the automotive elegance event, providing parking access for major island events.
- Town of Hilton Head IslandcoreWith support from the Town of Hilton Head Island and then Mayor Tom Peeples, the museum expanded its programs and reach. The town continues to support museum operations and development.
- Outside FoundationminorOyster shell bagging events and marine ecosystem restoration programs at Honey Horn.
- Palmetto ElectricminorCorporate sponsor of the museum supporting operations and programs.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Charles Pinckney National Historic Site: NPS-managed historic site on a Snee Farm plantation remnant near Mount Pleasant, SC, interpreting early American history. Comparable as a Lowcountry heritage site combining historic structures, interpretive programming, and visitor services.
- Fort Pulaski National Monument: NPS Civil War-era fort and nature preserve near Savannah, GA, with interpretive exhibits and outdoor programming. Comparable as a Southeast coastal heritage and nature destination offering combined historical interpretation and outdoor/nature experiences.
- Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage: Ridgeland, SC heritage center interpreting Lowcountry history and Gullah Geechee culture. Directly comparable in mission focus on regional cultural heritage, especially Gullah heritage programming that overlaps with Coastal Discovery's Gullah Heritage Trail Tour.
Direct peers
- South Carolina Aquarium: Charleston-based aquarium offering marine exhibits, educational programs, and conservation initiatives. Comparable as a Lowcountry institution focused on aquatic ecosystems, conservation education (turtles, dolphins), and family programming with admissions-based revenue.
- Brookgreen Gardens: A 9,100-acre botanical garden and sculpture park near Murrells Inlet, SC, offering outdoor exhibits, nature trails, and cultural programming on the South Carolina coast. Comparable as a Lowcountry destination combining natural beauty, sculpture/garden exhibits, and educational programming with paid and ticketed experiences.
- Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum: Charleston-area naval and maritime museum with indoor/outdoor exhibits, event rentals, and educational programs. Comparable as a coastal South Carolina museum/heritage attraction combining permanent exhibits, educational programming, and venue rentals.
- Magnolia Plantation and Gardens: Historic Charleston-area plantation with gardens, nature tours, and cultural programming on the Lowcountry coast. Comparable as a heritage/nature destination offering guided tours (including nature-based), exhibits, and event venue rentals in the South Carolina coastal region.
- Hilton Head Island Museum (Coastal Discovery-adjacent): Coastal Discovery itself; alternative framing. Other Hilton Head attractions like the Harbour Town Lighthouse Museum and Mitchelville Freedom Park overlap in focus on island heritage.
Emerging players
- Georgia Sea Turtle Center: Jekyll Island, GA rehabilitation and education center for sea turtles with public exhibits and programs. Comparable in coastal conservation/education mission and symbolic adoption programs similar to Coastal Discovery's Adopt-a-Nest.
- Hunting Island State Park: South Carolina state park with nature trails, marsh boardwalks, lighthouse, and educational programming. Comparable as a Lowcountry coastal nature destination offering outdoor nature experiences and educational interpretation.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc social profiles
Digital presenceThe Coastal Discovery Museum Inc compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc
What does The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc do?
The Coastal Discovery Museum operates a 70-acre historic museum and nature preserve at Honey Horn on Hilton Head Island, offering free admission to permanent and rotating exhibits, hands-on wildlife encounters, guided nature and cultural tours, workshops, school programs, and seasonal fundraising events. Paid offerings include dolphin cruises, Gullah heritage tours, sweetgrass basket workshops, segway tours, and venue rentals for weddings and corporate events. The museum is supported by memberships, donations, sponsorships, program fees, and grants as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Smithsonian Affiliate.
Is The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc a public or private company?
The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc founded?
The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc was founded in 1985. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc based?
The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc is headquartered in Hilton Head Island, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are membership Program, venue Rentals and Event Hosting, paid Educational Programs and Tours, art Market Vendor Fees and adopt-a-Nest and Adopt-a-Dolphin Programs.
Who are The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, Fort Pulaski National Monument and Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage. Direct peers are South Carolina Aquarium, Brookgreen Gardens, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens and Hilton Head Island Museum (Coastal Discovery-adjacent). Emerging players are Georgia Sea Turtle Center and Hunting Island State Park.
Does The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc.
What industry is The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc in?
The Coastal Discovery Museum Inc's product category is Museums and Cultural Attractions. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAA, Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty), with a secondary code of THAJADAF, Specialty Museums (e.g., Maritime, Aviation, Sports, Music, Film). Its NAICS code is 712110 and its SIC code is 7900.