2 weeks Ago
The sun rises over the water, casting golden hues over Charleston as it wakes. A gentle breeze carries the scent of salt and pluff mud. The only sounds are the rhythmic lapping of the tide against a pylon and the occasional cry of a heron.
This is where Tia Clark lost herself in the moment — and found a purpose she never expected. And now, through Casual Crabbing with Tia , she shares this world with others, especially children, who often leave her dock with a newfound sense of wonder and connection to the water. Growing up in a large Gullah Geechee family in downtown Charleston, Tia never imagined she’d one day spend her life on the water.
Despite living so close to the coast, she never set foot on a beach until she was 17. In her culture, men went to the water — fishing and crabbing were their domain — while the women prepared the meals. It wasn’t until eight years ago that Tia had her first crabbing experience, invited by a cousin.
She needed to get healthy and was searching for a way to exercise. That single day changed her life. She learned to crab two different ways, cast a net, and catch shrimp and fish, all of which she cooked and ate within hours.
The fresh, self-caught meal was more than delicious; it was a revelation. “I had never felt that zest for life before,” she told me. She felt something shift deep within her.
She had found where she belonged. What started as a personal passion soon grew into something much bigger. When a friend created a Facebook page called Casual Crabbing with Tia to share her stunning sunrise photos, she never expected the flood of messages asking if people could join her on the dock.
For a year, she resisted, protecting the experience for herself, unable to let others in. “I was afraid others would ruin the experience for me,” she admits. But then a friend submitted her to Airbnb Experiences, and in 2018, she hosted her first crabbing excursion.
"I was pushed, screaming and kicking, into this! But the more I hosted, the more I realized it was fulfilling me in unexpected ways — I was creating the space for others to have life-changing experiences too." Charleston native Tia Clark shows kids blue crabs during her guided excursion, Casual Crabbing with Tia. By 2019, she had quit her job and turned crabbing into her full-time career.
Since then, her work has led her to incredible opportunities, from conservation efforts to global recognition — she was even named one of Airbnb’s top four hosted experiences worldwide. Tia’s passion is fueled by the impact her work has on children. Through crabbing, she has seen kids transform in ways that parents never expected.
A Hands-On, Screen-Free Experience In an age where screens dominate childhood, going crabbing offers a rare opportunity for kids to disconnect and engage with nature. There are no phones, no distractions — just the excitement of learning how to throw a cast net, carefully handle crabs, and learn about the ecosystem. "Children come alive next to the water.
It’s such a powerful space. I’ve had parents say, ‘My daughter won’t be interested’— and then she’s the one doing the most!” Tia laughs. “Or a kid who is standoffish at first, but by the end, they’re holding a crab with the biggest smile on their face.
” For school groups, she created bingo cards featuring the marine life they might catch. Divided into teams, the kids compete to spot and identify creatures, their excitement building as they check off each discovery. By the end of the day, the energy on the dock is electric.
Tia Clark talks to a school group about crabs in the Lowcountry. Beyond the Dock: Life Lessons and Lasting Connections The lessons learned at the water’s edge extend far beyond crabbing. Tia recalls a little boy who came out with his dad as part of a Father’s Day gift.
Though hesitant at first, he ended the day bubbling with enthusiasm. Later, his mother sent Tia a message: her son, who struggled with learning, had written Tia a letter — something he rarely did. They became pen pals for a time, and when he traveled to Alaska later that year, Tia received a photo in which he proudly had built a pretend crab trap, excitedly teaching his uncle everything he had learned from Tia.
Another little girl, at the end of her crabbing excursion, turned to Tia and asked, “Can I live here?” Tia said the simple joy in the question was the highest compliment she could receive. Conservation and Community Impact Tia is deeply involved in coastal protection and marsh restoration projects. She sits on the boards of the Marine Advisory Committee with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the Charleston Waterkeeper, and the South Carolina Aquarium.
Through her partnership with SCORE (South Carolina Oyster Recycling and Enhancement Program), she organizes monthly volunteer programs, helping to build and deploy oyster reefs. Every person over 16 who participates in crabbing must purchase a saltwater fishing license, directly contributing to efforts through the Department of Natural Resources. Tia ensures that her guests leave not only with memories but also with an understanding of their role in protecting these fragile ecosystems.
The Where and When Tia Clark teaches children about the different parts of a blue crab. She shares her passion for crabbing and her knowledge of area waterways through her business, Casual Crabbing with Tia. Her outdoor crabbing business has grown far beyond what Tia ever imagined.
In addition to a private marina on the Ashley River, she now has a second location at The Dunlin on Kiawah Island, offering an exclusive experience for guests of the resort. She’s also expanded her team, bringing on two additional hosts to share the magic of crabbing with even more families. Crabbing is a year-round adventure, dictated by nature.
Typically, Tia runs excursions from mid-March through January, taking February off. However, warm winters have kept the season going longer in recent years. A Journey of Transformation Looking back, Tia marvels at how crabbing reshaped her life.
Once guarded and reserved, she now thrives in connection — with people, with nature, with her own heritage. “I was a crabby person before,” she admits with a grin. “Now, I’m looking up, making eye contact, connecting with people.
” For the children and families who join her, the experience is more than just a fun day on the water. It’s a chance to learn, to grow, and to rediscover a connection to the natural world. And for Tia, every smile, every moment of wonder, reaffirms why she was meant to be here.
To book your crabbing adventure, visit her website at www.casualcrabbingwithtia.com or follow her on Facebook.
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