SC Anchorages – AICW, Beaufort River to Calibogue Sound and Hilton Head Island (Statute Mile 537 to 565)
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR DISCLAIMER!
Please Note That Anchorages Below are Listed in A Rough Geographic Format , Moving North to South
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR DISCLAIMER!
Please Note That Anchorages Below are Listed in A Rough Geographic Format , Moving North to South
Statute Mile: 538
Lat/Lon: near 32 25.091 North/080 40.628 West
Location: lies on the waters east of the charted marsh island, which is itself, east of flashing daybeacon #214
Minimum Depth: 10-feet, if and only if you enter from the south
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 45 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Fair; open to southern and southeastern winds
Rating:
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Statute Mile: 542
Lat/Lon: near 32 22.540 North/080 42.063 West
Location: on the waters of Battery Creek (northeast of the AICW’s flashing buoy #41) , west of unlighted daybeacon #47
Minimum Depth: 15 to 22 feet
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 55 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Fair to good; open to southeastern and western winds
Rating:
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We arrived on 11/29/09 at near the top of the tide and anchored just past the shrimp boat docks and near three sailboats on moorings. We anchored in 18’ of water with about 10 kts of breeze. The anchorage is exposed to south and west winds. Tidal range overnight was eight feet. Just after dark we had 20’ of water beneath the boat and when I got up at around 0200, we only had 12’. Holding was good and despite the aggressive tidal switches, the anchor held firm. Not much local traffic while we were there.
The evening passed quietly but it gave way to a “Beirut Breakfast” at daybreak. All heck broke loose as we were eating. Seems the marines at Paris Island were on the small arms firing range and it reminded me of the middle east fighting you hear on the TV.
Otherwise a nice spot.
Statute Mile: 544.5
Lat/Lon: near 32 22.556 North/080 37.977 West
Location: on the waters of Cowen Creek, immediately southwest of this stream’s juncture with Distant Island Creek
Minimum Depth: 15+ foot depths, but you must negotiate several unmarked shoals between Beaufort River and the anchorage to maintains these soundings
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 50 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Good, but open to strong southwesterly winds
Rating:
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We attempted to anchor here on 4/24/10. The evening’s predicted wind direction and strength nixed all possible anchorages except one in Cowen Creek. We ran some distance up the creek and tried anchoring in 10′ of water in the lee of some trees on shore. Our Rocna anchor set quickly, but failed to hold in the “fluff” mud bottom. After several attempts to find good holding, we abandoned the anchorage and headed for Port Royal Landing about 8 miles away.
Other spots in the creek may work better in better weather conditions. However, distance in and out along with our experience puts Cowen Creek on our “Not Here” list.
Statute Mile: 553.50’”northerly entrance
Lat/Lon:
32 15.407 North/080 44.565 West (northern anchorage)
32 15.162 North/080 44.684 West (southern anchorage)
Location: along the easternmost branch or Skull Creek south of the ICW’s flashing daybeacon #6
Minimum Depth: 8-feet
Swing Room:
sufficient room for vessels as large as 45 feet in northern anchorage
Sufficient room for vessels as large as 34 feet in southern anchorage
Foul Weather Shelter: Good, but northern anchorage is open to strong northerly winds
Rating:
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Statute Mile: 558
Lat/Lon:
32 14.410 North/080 47.021 West (anchorage south of Buzzard Island)
32 15.527 North/080 46.351 West (anchorage southwest of unlighted daybeacon #8)
Location: on the waters of Mackay Creek between this stream’s intersection with northern Calibogue Sound and its northern juncture with the Chechessee River
Minimum Depth: 6 feet, but there are many unmarked shoals flanking the channel
Special Comment: Your vessel must be able to clear a 25-foot fixed bridge to access these anchorages, and the use of a GPS chartplotter is recommended when navigating these waters
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 40 feet
Foul Weather Shelter:
Good for southerly anchorage, but open to southern winds
Excellent for northerly anchorage
Rating:
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Statute Mile: 559
Lat/Lon: near 32 12.587 North/080 46.208 West
Location: on the eastern shores of northern Calibogue Sound, south of Jenkins Islands and east of flashing daybeacon #1
Minimum Depth: 7-feet
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 34 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Very good, but open to westerly winds, and surrounding marsh grass shores do not give sufficient shelter in especially heavy weather
Rating:
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Statute Mile: 563.5
Lat/Lon: near 32 10.666 North/080 48.163 West
Location: on the broad and charted but unmarked channel northwest of Middle Marsh Island, north of unlighted daybeacon #30
Minimum Depth: 12+ feet, but an extensive unmarked shoal must be bypassed
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 45 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Fair; open to southwestern and northeaster winds
Rating:
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Statute Mile: 563.5
Lat/Lon: near 32 10.593 North/080 49.404 West
Location: off Calibogue Sound’s northwestern banks well west of unlighted daybeacon #30
Minimum Depth: 7-feet, but unmarked shoals at creek’s entrance must be successfully bypassed
Special Comment: Use of a GPS chartplotter is recommended to safely enter this anchorage
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 36 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Very good
Rating:
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Comments from Cruisers (1)
Looked a little narrow so instead i anchored to the south of the island, jsut south of the 9 and 10′ marks on the edge of the charlet. it’s way on the outside of the bend, no wake or traffic issues, more water and swinging room
Pascal
MY Charmer, Johnson 70