HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (WSAV) — The Today Show visited Hilton Head Island Friday to get a jump start on summer with some fun in the Lowcountry sun.

During the 3rd Hour of Today, Al Roker, Craig Melvin, Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer shared local food and features in the team’s first big trip away from Studio 1A since the start of the pandemic.

“Oh, I’ve got to tell you, we are so excited,” Roker told Coastal Sunrise anchors Kim Gusby and Ben Katko.

“We’re thrilled we’re going to be all together, WSAV and the 3rd Hour of Today, just one big morning,” he said.

Roker and the team gave viewers a tour of their oceanfront Vrbo rental, named one of the company’s top 10 vacation homes of the year. 3rd Hour also embarked on a Lowcountry fishing charter and spoke with volunteers about local efforts to protect sea turtles.

“We are trying to get the message out there that sea turtles benefit from you filling in your holes, picking up your trash and using a red flashlight,” said Amber Kuehn with Sea Turtle Patrol HHI. “Those three things sound very easy, but I can’t get people to do it. So maybe if NBC tells people to do it, people will take note.”

The team also dined with Chef Orchid Paulmeier, owner of One Hot Mama’s American Grill, and Andrew Carmines of Hudson’s Seafood.

“It’s a lot of work and it takes a lot of energy,” Carmines said. “We have guys cutting fish and peeling shrimp all day every day. So just to get a nod that says we are on the right track is really really special.”

Some special guests were on the island too, including radio host and Charleston native Charlamagne tha God. Melvin got a few special shoutouts, not only being a South Carolina native but celebrating his birthday, too.

It’s safe to say residents were excited by the 3rd Hour’s visit, having quickly reserved tickets for the live audience.

“It really brings Hilton Head to light,” said Bonne Bloom, a Hilton Head resident in the audience. “It’s great to have the Today Show here in Hilton Head because this is paradise. We just retired here — couldn’t be happier.”

Jones said Friday’s visit was a special one for the Today team, too.

“We feel like your our friends,” she said, pointing to the camera. “And I say that so sincerely.”

“So when we come out — and we talked to people yesterday — it’s like we’re just all in good company,” she continued. “It’s nice to hit the road and actually meet people who watch. It’s pretty special.”

Watch segments from Friday’s episode on today.com. The 3rd Hour airs weekdays at 9 a.m. on WSAV.