SC – 4 – Belle Isle to Sullivans Island | Cruisers' Net

Good News on Depths in AICW Problem Stretch South of McClellanville at AICW Statute Mile 431

October 30, 2011 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

As you approach the southside of McClellanville on the AICW, please heed earlier advice to favor the red side, especially in the stretch between markers 37 and 38. Please open the links below for more information and a Chart View of this area.

Passed through this area 10/30/2011 without any indication of shallow areas. Carried over 12 foot depths and mostly deeper. Strong currents and erratic currents were common.
Harry Miller

Came through this stretch at absolute full-moon dead low tide 10/25/11. Took a lot of patience and feeling our way, the good news is we never saw less than 7.0 feet.
Dan/Jaye Lunsford

Of note are the shallow readings showing on our depth sounder from McClellanville almost to the Isle of Palms. When we came out of McClellanville, we saw readings as low at 5.5 feet but mostly 6 or 7 feet (as O.G’s depth transducer is 2 feet below the waterline, these reading translate into 7.5 feet to 9 feet, well below the nominal 12 feet supposed to be throughout the ICW. This is of no concern with our 4.5 foot draft, but I thought it worthy of note for Claiborne Young’s “Salty Southeast” blog.
Captain Ted Jones

We passed McClellanville, SC at low tide this morning, 3/14/2011. As anticipated, we hit very shallow water between markers 37 and 38. At one point, about midway through this section, we saw 3’9″ and were plowing through the mud. We were favoring the red side somewhat.
Skipper Larry Thackston on M/V PEACH

Went through today (5/8/11) , 1 hour before high tide and saw no less than 9.5 feet at my transducer which occurred at Marker 40 and 35 A. The transducer is two feet below the surface so looking at 11.5 feet. With an 7 to 8 foot fall it might be a little skinny for some boats.
Capt. David

5/16/2011
With an almost full moon low tide we passed through the AICW Channel South of McClellanville, SC. Unfortunately, a late start from Charleston had us arriving at Green 47 at low tide, but we made it through with our 6′ draft without a problem.
The least water we saw was 6.1′ when we turned into the wind near G47 to take down the mainsail. We were on the green side, but well inside the channel. Recommend staying on the red side at R46.
The rest of the way up to R32 was in 8-9′ range with a couple of spots that flashed at 6.9′.
As recommended we found the best depths by staying centered in the channel.
Also note that Green 27 is missing the northbound face place.
And an oh by the way, just north of McClellanville, we spotted two alligators casually swimming in the channel. One in the 7-8′ size range and the other 5-6′. Think twice about that little swim along this leg .
Capt Pete

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For South of McClellanville, SC

Passed through this area 10/30/2011 without any indication of shallow areas. Carried over 12 foot depths and mostly deeper. Strong currents and erratic currents were common.
Harry Miller

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of South of McClellanville

Click Here To View An Earlier Posting on this Area
Log of the Palmetto Moon: Isle of Palms to Port Royal

October 27, 2011 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

Palmetto Moon with Jim, Su and Lazy Cat Alex have just traveled from Georgetown, SC To Brunswick, Ga. Palmetto Moon cruises at 8.5 MPH and draws 4.5 ft. Here are the issues and observations of their travels:

2-Isle of Palms (MM-456.9) to Port Royal Landing (MM-539.5) We left 2.5 hours before low tide.
In the White Point area (MM-495-500) at low tide
Between R-110 and G-121 center of channel;
At G-111 – G-113 we saw 4 feet under us
At G-115 – G-117 we saw 3.5 feet under us
Running at just above Idle Speed stirred up a lot of mud/sand through most of the area from G-111 G-119
This info is what we experienced in our travels. As always you are the captain of your vessel and should use this as info only. Safe travels.
Palmetto Moon
Log of the Palmetto Moon: AICW, Georgetown to Isle of Palms

October 27, 2011 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

Palmetto Moon with Jim, Su and Lazy Cat Alex have just traveled from Georgetown, SC To Brunswick, Ga. Palmetto Moon cruises at 8.5 MPH and draws 4.5 ft. Here are the issues and observations of their travels:

1-Georgetown (MM-403) to Isle of Palms (MM-456.9) We left 3.5 hrs. before low tide and had a favorable tide most of the way, averaged 9.25 MPH and only found shallow H2O just before Jeremy Creek (McClellanville MM-430) and 500 yards after Jeremy Creek.
This info is what we experienced in our travels. As always you are the captain of your vessel and should use this as info only. Safe travels.
Palmetto Moon

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To Jeremy Creek
Good Run in the Waterway from Charleston to Georgetown, SC

August 30, 2011 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

This is certainly good news for area boaters. We’d like to hear from others about boating conditions in your waters.

This morning took icw Charleston to Georgetown. No damage visible. No significant floating debris. Marinas at both ends doing well.
Skipper Tom Divers, aboard m/v Tanqueray
Good Words for Isle of Palms Marina, AICW Statute Mile 457

June 12, 2011 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

Isle of Palms Marina is A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! and their lowered transient rate is certainly good news in this economy! Isle of Palms Marina lies along the South Carolina portion of the AICW, north of Charleston, and southwest of flashing marker #116, on the charted cove indenting the southerly shoreline

Isle of Palms Marina – always a great stop when coming back from Georgetown. Morgan Creek restaurant has only improved and now has outdoor dining, along with their full upstairs covered deck or indoor areas. The meals only get better every time we go! So much to do at IOP Marina – several rental places for wave runners, kayaks, or stand up paddle boards. The beach is a short bike ride away and facilities are in great shape.
Skipper Bill Saint

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Isle of Palms Marina

Click Here to Open a Chart View Windows Centered on Isle of Palms Marina
Report on Depths North of the Ben Sawyer Bridge, AICW Statute Mile 450

June 12, 2011 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

This report refers to a section of the AICW north of the Ben Sawyer Bridge and is similar to earlier reports of shoaling in the vicinity of statute mile 450.

Also, just north of Ben Sawyer Bridge, Charleston harbor, there is some thin water around Breech Inlet. You must stay in the channel. There was a boat aground there yesterday, but I’ve been through there at dead low water and had 8 ft. or so.
Philip W. Mullins aboard S/V Katash, Isle of Palms, SC

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Breach Inlet
Good Words for Leland Oil Co. McClellanville, SC, AICW Statute Mile 430

May 10, 2011 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

We understand from other contributors that Leland Oil Company Marina, under a new owner, is steadily making improvements to this very affordable facility. We hear, too, that the owner will take time to drive you to nearby stores.
Note that if you have never visited the backwater village of McClellanville, SC before, you owe it to yourself to stop here, and at least take in the community. It’s like stepping into a time machine that transports you to what most of the Low Country must have looked like 50 years ago. Try it, you might just like it!

Had to duck in for a week because I ran out of time in getting the boat to Charleston and had to be back at work. I was too late to make the bridge. I had fueled at Leland’s a few miles earlier and decided to turn and go back. The folk are very friendly, accommodating and $1.00 / ft. I would stay again if needed..
Tom Hughes aboard Catalina 390 “Island Time”

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Leland Oil Company

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Entrance to McClellanville Channel
Good Run and Good Depths from Dewees Creek to Myrtle Beach, AICW Statute Miles 455-355

April 25, 2011 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

We have received a number of recent reports of shoaling south of McClellanville and have set a Navigation Alert near green marker #37, statute mile 431.

4/24/2011, we departed Dewees Creek NORTHBOUND, at 06h15, about 1 hour before low tide. That brought us through Andersonville and McClellanville through the low tide period in the area. Our chartplotter’s Tide Almanac reported the low tide at 0.3 ft above datum for that low tide. Several observations. It was a very quiet morning on the water, so we ran the charted midline course. For that entire 25 mile run, we never saw less than (to be very conservative) 8 to 8.5 ft of water. Yes, lots of mud flats and dock floats sitting on the bottom, and careful about following the magenta line, but no water depth problems! Second, after the tide started rising around McClellanville, we had a fair current all the way in to Myrtle Beach. In fact, we averaged about 1 mile per hour greater SOG than we run in normal, still water over that distance, and made 100 miles from 06h15 to 17h45, which we deemed a long but not uncomfortable day.
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Dewees Creek

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at McClellanville
Praise for Isle of Palms Marina, AICW Statute Mile 457

April 22, 2011 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

Not only “very nice”, Isle of Palms Marina is also A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! Their lowered transient rate is certainly good news in this economy! Isle of Palms Marina lies southwest of flashing marker #116, on the charted cove indenting the southerly shoreline

The Isle of Palms Marina (about mm 456) has reduced their transient rates to $1.50/ft. The rate is stay in effect probably until Memorial Day. They also have a Boat US fuel discount. Price was $3.77 for diesel today. It is a small marina with floating docks. Very nice.
Mitch

We stayed there a few days ago agree with this posting. It is a nice stopover place. It is a short walk to the beach from the marina.
Gladys & Steve aboard Misty Moose

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Isle of Palms Marina

Click Here to Open a Chart View Windows Centered on Isle of Palms Marina
Shoaling at AICW Marker 117A, Isle of Palms, Statute Mile 460

March 30, 2011 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

We have had numerous reports about shoaling in the Waterway stretch from the Ben Sawyer Bridge to McClellanville, SC. These reports are now a LNM and we continue to recommend a mid-to-high tide passage.

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS: Week 13/11
Severe shoaling has been reported in vicinity of Sullivans Island, south of Winyah Bay-Charleston Hbr DBN 117A (LLNR 34510.5, reported depth at 3.5 FT in channel. All mariners are advised to transit the area with extreme caution. Chart 11518

Passed from Charleston, SC to Georgetown today (4/13/11 0900-1400hrs) at low tide. Skinny water most of the way. Followed a boat that took 3.5 draft and they got through. We take 3.0 and regulary saw 3.4 on finder. Once passed McClellanville, 9.7 feet or better. Lady Soul II.
Capt M Rhett

This remains an issue with numerous 7′MLW soundings south of G117A, usually when crossing side creeks. While 7′ MLW is adequate for most cruisers, the channel is very narrow there and appears to shoal rapidly off centerline. Due to our draft, I time this with some tide and take it slow, sticking to the “magic-enta” line.
Pascal aboard MY Charmer, 70′ 6+ draft

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Daybeacon #117A
Grounding Reported South of McClellanville, AICW Statute Mile 439

March 28, 2011 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

Please note that this grounding was near high tide in the center of the channel. We have reports of recent shoaling in various spots in the AICW between Charleston Harbor and McClellanville, particularly at Mile 431. Past advice has to been to stay in the center of the channel. Maybe this new spot will be an exception. See the link for more on this area.

We hit a shallow spot (less than 5 ft) north of Charleston just past Graham Creek between markers G64 and G61. It was close to high tide and we were aground right in the middle of the channel just opposite a small creek on the east side. I suggest staying to the green side of the channel to avoid this spot!
Captains Harriet and Skip aboard S/V Moondance

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Shoaling Report

Click Here To View An Earlier Posting on Depths South of McClellanville
Shoaling Reported North of Charleston, AICW Statute Mile 457

March 25, 2011 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

This shoaling is just north of the Isle of Palms Connector Bridge. Earlier reports had advised staying in the center of the channel, except as advised at marker #117A.

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS: Week 12/11
Severe shoaling reported in the vicinity of Winyah Bay-Charleston Harbor DBN 117A
(LLNR 34510.5), reported depth at 3.5 ft in the channel. Chart 11518

Check your charts… make adjustments and be watchful
Jim Lowry

We just went through there this morning (at high tide) [3/25/11] without any problems. Didn’t see less than 10ft
Harriet Levine Hardy

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Daybeacon #117A
AICW Shoaling Reported North of Charleston (Near Statute Mile 459)

March 15, 2011 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

This report centers on a section of the AICW north of the Ben Sawyer Bridge and is similar to earlier reports of shoaling between Statute Miles 455 and 465.

BAD SHOAL SOUTH OF MARKER 117AON THE GREEN SIDE APPROX. 1000′ SOUTH OF 117A
BEHIND SULLIVANS ISLAND, THERE IS LESS THEN 4′ AT LOW TIDE.

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Shoaling N of Ben Sawyer Bridge

Click Here To View An Earlier Report on this Area
Three Votes for Awendaw Creek Anchorage, AICW Statute Mile 436

January 16, 2011 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

Located halfway between Georgetown and Charleston, SC, Awendaw Creek has been successfully accessed for anchoring by several recent cruisers. On the south side of the Waterway, Awendaw Creek is best approached through its northern entrance which is due south of marker #48 and just west of marker #47 in Harbor River.

Leaving Georgetown, SC heading to Charleston on 1/14/11 we found a great anchorage off Marker 48A to the port side heading south in Awendaw Creek. Great width, depth for larger boats. Protected from all directions except easterly. We anchored in and around back side. Our ICW cruising guide show anchorage near mouth of creek, there is plenty of depth to go up and around. You can find 8ft, behind point, and 25ft. in the inlet opening, with plenty of swing room for our 43ft. Shannon so one can anchor where they are most comfortable.
Susan and Bob Dawson

We anchored in Awendaw Creek two nights ago and found it to be an excellent anchorage. The straight shot in showed no less than 19 feet (the charted shoal at the mouth seems to be non-existent). Once you go around the hook to the left, it shallows to 9-12 feet with lots of swinging room. Room for at least 20 boats. Compared notes with folks who did Graham Creek, I would vote for Awendaw.
Allen and Judy Ames

Awendaw Creek Anchorage…..we also anchored there just last evening and it was perfect! The waters were calm and no winds. And the hook set every easily! Plenty of room. Will surely return there when heading back up north.
Ed and Eva Higginson aboard S/V “Makai”

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Awendaw Creek
Shoaling Reported in Graham Creek Anchorage, Good Depths in Price Creek, AICW Statute Miles 439 and 448

November 26, 2010 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

Graham Creek cuts the southeastern shores of the AICW near marker #64. Price Creek makes into the Waterway’s southeastern banks, southwest of marker #84.
Note that other fellow cruisers have found better depths here during 2009 – 2010. We would very much appreciate hearing from others who have anchored, or attempted to anchor here, and discover what depths you discovered. If this describes you, please click the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, and share your information.

Attempted to enter Graham Creek on Thanksgiving based upon the 6′ levels posted; forget it – 4.4 to 4.6 was what I saw at the entrance; went aground was able to get off thanks goodness and move on to Price Creek which was absolutely beautiful and deep – 12 – 15′
Captain Pat Kenefick

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Graham Creek Anchorage

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Graham Creek Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Price Creek

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Price Creek
Dewees Creek Anchorage – Captain Jane Reports (Statute Mile 455)

November 15, 2010 by: Claiborne Young Leave a Comment

Sunset at Dewees Creek

Here’s another superb story from our fearless roving reporter, Captain Jane Tigar. Her story below concerns anchoring on Dewees Creek, This somewhat complicated, but undeniably anchor rich complex of creeks intersects the AICW south of marker #109. As Captain Jane notes, there are seaward and land-side branches of Dewees Creek. The western arm, in particular has many possibly havens, including on on charted Long Creek.

Even if you think you’d rather be in a marina, this is an anchorage that could change your mind. There are at least four separate anchoring areas — and that’s without going up the creek and exploring — and there’s plenty of room to maneuver.
First, you have two options, West off the AICW or East off the AICW. We did not personally explore the Eastern option but observed a large sailing catamaran take the turn, go past the ferry dock at Dewees Island and drop the hook pretty much exactly as Skipper Bob suggests. She was still there in the morning where we’d last spied her — so we presume it was a good spot. From the Waterway, this Eastern choice appears a little less picturesque than the Western option and you do have Gray Aggie taking people back and forth to Isle of Palms, a feature that is neither a plus nor minus in my book.
We chose West just because it looked pretty. We found lots of deep water, just as charted — even the numbers we thought were typos such as a 71 which we were sure would be 17 were accurate. Had you been listening in on us, you would have heard us both say, with great surprise: Nope, it’s really 71!
The Western option offers you at least three obvious choices without wandering far off the AICW — you can go straight ahead (which we did), take a port turn or take a starboard turn, each to what appear to be fine anchoring spots. Going straight ahead, we found that the depths drop to 20 and just past the first creek arm to port, we found depths of mid- to high teens — perfect for anchoring. There is so much room here, we felt very comfortable, even if a parade of boats were to join us as Isle of Palms Marina and some in Charleston, too, were full. As it turned out, only four vessels joined us for the night. One right near us in the main section of the creek as you can see in the sunset photograph. Another chose the slender arm that heads South. Two other boats took the first turn to North.
It was a breezy night and we found holding excellent. The currents aligned us for a splendid sunset and in the morning conveniently spun us so we faced east for an equally splendid sunrise coming up over the ocean as we reentered the AICW.
It doesn’t get better than this.
Captain Jane
S/V Lady Jane

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Dewees Creek Anchorages

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Dewees Creek
More Shallow Depths South of McClellanville at AICW Statute Mile 431

November 6, 2010 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

As you approach the southside of McClellanville on the AICW, please heed earlier advice to favor the red side, especially in the stretch between markers 37 and 38. Please open the links below for more information and a Chart View of this area.

After anchoring in the South Santee River we headed for Isle of Palms yesterday morning ( 11/5/2010 )… we traversed the McClellanville stretch 2 hours after high tide (falling) all seemed well in the middle of the channel until we sited depths in the 5 foot range in 3 different places through that run … all in mid-channel … had our water tanks been full, we’d have grounded for sure.

Transited the area today about 2 hours before low tide. While we did see the occasional 8′ or 7.9 we saw nothing approaching 5′ while following the channel. The channel does indeed favor the red in general (that is, it is NOT in the center of the water) but it was quite possible to transit in relatively low water.
Captain Leigh

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the “Alert” Section of the AICW South of McClellanville, SC Where The Shallow Water Described Above Was Encountered

Click Here To View An Earlier Posting on this Area
Captain Pascal Reports on AICW Depths Near McClellanville, SC (Statute Mile 430)

November 2, 2010 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

Captain Pascal pilots a vessel with a 6.25 ft draft and, naturally, keeps a sharp eye on his depth finder.

MM430, near McClellanville,
[Found] 9′MLW between G35 and G37, 8′ to 9′ MLW between G37 and R40
Pascal
Alarming Depths on Clark Creek (near St. M. 429.5)

November 1, 2010 by: Claiborne Young Leave a Comment

Just across the AICW from Jeremy Creek, which provides access to the charming village of McClellanville, SC, cruisers can (BUT DON’T), cruise through Five Fathom Creek and Clark Creek, on the way an uncertain (to say the least) inlet east of Sandy Point. I have NOT recommended this seaward cut since since the channel was shifted from Sandy Point to Clark Creek. Some years ago, I sounded only 3 to 4 feet in this poor excuse for a channel amidst braking waves. We retreated in all haste.
Now, below, no less an entity than the US Army Corps of Engineers has provided the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net with the latest depth survey of this errant passage. Just take a gander at the mid-channel depths in the creek’s turn to the south, southeast, southeast of marker #6. Anybody want to tangle with these shallows in a very confused seaway. I think not!
ALL cruisers should avoid the (so-called) Clark Creek inlet without exception!!!!
Warning on Dewees Inlet north of Charleston, SC

July 15, 2010 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

Between the Winyah Bay Entrance south of the AICW from Georgetown, SC and the Charleston, SC harbor entrance, there is really no safe inlet and Dewees Inlet carries this emphatic warning from Claiborne: WARN ANYONE OFF FROM USING THIS INLET. THERE IS NO CHANNEL TO SPEAK OF AND TO SAY IT’S TREACHEROUS IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. IT COULD BE DEADLY!!!

We are headed back off-shore to the south – Charleston, but would prefer Isle of Palms as it takes about two hours off the trip… if we can get in through Dewees Inlet. Charts show no marked channel to the outside but inside the water is charted deep (no channel markers), tides run 5+ feet and there are some tempting areas that may not be shoaled up. Does anyone know if this passage can be made safely with a ~6 ft. draw at HT? Thanks
Captain Ric

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Showing the Location of Dewees Inlet