Departing the Waterway at statute mile 375, four miles south of the Socastee Bridge, this “off-road” venture on the lovely, upper section of the Waccamaw River to the city of Conway, SC has pleased many cruisers and has proven to be a worthy side trip. And now Captain Thomason adds knowledge of a quiet, safe anchorage between Conway and the Waterway. This is very good news indeed, as, prior to this posting, we knew of no other place to spend the evening once the confines of the AICW were left behind, than to continue upstream to the city Marina at Conway. Now, there is a FREE alternative!
Unfortunately, this upper section of the Waccamaw is not covered on any NOAA chart, so we must relay on Captain Thomason’s description below to find this anchor down spot. However, using the magic of “Google Earth,” we have isolated a satellite image of this body of water, which you will see on the upper, right corner of this posting!
Has anyone else anchored on Cox Lake??? If so, we want to hear from you. Please share your experiences by making use of the “Comment” function at the end of this posting. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Dear Claiborne,
Cox Lake is a body of water north east of R marker 16 (approximate location N33 47 683, W 079 03 102). Depart the marked route just south of R 16, proceed through the obvious opening to the lake. Depths going in are in the 7-9 ft range. We like to anchor directly across from the opening at the mouth of a wide cove, past a large dock to starboard in 12 to 14 ft of water or deeper in to the cove for shallower depths (10 ft or less). The deepest into the cove we have anchored is N33 47 856, W 079 03 102. Cox Lake is known to locals who sometimes anchor here to party but that’s only happened once for us (and they left at night). Other than the one dock, the shores are natural cypress. At one point there were a couple of very small homemade “houseboats” on the north side of the lake but they have been gone the last two times we anchored. The anchorage is not affected by wakes from boats on the river. A nice spot to pass a quiet night. Hope this helps!
Cox Lake is approximately two and a half miles from Conway City Marina.
Jean Thomason

Click Here For An Earlier Review of Conway, SC

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Conway City Marina

Departing the Waterway at statute mile 375, four miles south of the Socastee Bridge, this “off-road” venture on the lovely, upper section of the Waccamaw River, abandoned by the AICW, has pleased many cruisers and has proven to be a worthy side trip.
One fixed bridge does lie between the AICW and Conway. We have never found a published vertical clearance for this span, but it has always appeared to us to be 30 feet or so. Clearly, the wonderful side cruise to Conway is off limits for most sailcraft.
The wonderful review below was sent to us by our good friends Peg and Jim Healy

Sanctuary and crew made our first visit to Conway, SC, on the Upper Waccamaw River, on October 29 and 30, 2013. On the advice of the dockmaster at Osprey Marina, we departed the ICW at Enterprise Landing, at daymark G”1.” The channel in that area is narrow, and shoals to 7-1/2 feet for a short distance. Once past that area, the river widens and become a magnificent cypress swamp meandering stream. Navigation planning was only slightly more complicated than usual. “Standard” NOAA charts do not cover the upper Waccamaw. The rule is, as always when upbound, “red, right, returning.” The river is adequately marked with clearly visible daymarks. Navigation is straight forward. We stayed to the middle of the river on longer, straighter stretches, and favored the outside radius of turns and switchbacks. From the ICW at Enterprise Landing to Conway, there are three shoal areas: first, just above G”1,” second, in the vicinity of R”12,” and third, in the vicinity of R”16.” We never saw less than 7-1/2 feet in any of these areas. Tidal ebb and flood currents are insignificant for cruising boats.
We stayed at the Conway City Marina. The marina “basin” is on the west shore of the marina. The entrance is on a curve in the river. The tidal range here is about 18″ – 24.” Reports of shoaling across the marina entrance are correct. Local guidance is to favor the green center-quarter when entering and leaving the marina basin. We were in the red-center quarter upon arrival, and even though we arrived virtually at high tide, we plowed through soft mud in the area of the entrance. The second day of our visit, we relocated to another dock at high tide. By favoring the green center-quarter, we cleared the shoaling in about 5-1/2 feet of water. There is stone rip rap on both the green and red outside-quarters of the entrance, so caution and slow speed is advised.
The Conway City Marina is not a transient destination. As first-timers to the area, we had excellent telephone support from the attendant, and we were certainly made welcome. There is no docking assistance provided. The marina offers three docking locations. One is a floating face dock inside the marina entrance. There is room on that dock for 2, 40′ cruising boats. There is also a small resident river tour boat on the north end of that dock. Outside the marina, 1/4 mile upstream on the west shore, there are two 40′ floating docks immediately below the SC Rt. 905 road bridge. These docks are part of an extensive and beautiful River Walk system. All of the docks have 30A and 50A power. None have potable water. The docks themselves are aging, and in a generally dilapidated state of repair. Cleats on the in-river docks are loose and somewhat small for cruising boats. That said, the in-river docks do have two obvious advantages: first, approach depths are better, and second, the walk to the town is much shorter and easier. It is a very long walk to anywhere from the dock located in the marina entrance channel.
The City of Conway is the Horry County Seat. There is A LOT of government here; a lot, including a large jail complex and the county courthouse. Discount coupons (“Discover Conway Downtown Shopping Card”) for visitors are available at the Visitor’s Center, 903 3rd Ave; (843) 248-1700. Get several cards, because you give up the coupon when you use them. History and architecture buffs will enjoy the city. There is a historic downtown walking trail. The locals are friendly. There are several good restaurant choices Grocery shopping and the post office are not within what I consider to be walkable distance. Despite the limitations, this river trip is exquisite. It is unique, beautiful and well worth the effort.
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary
Currently at Rock Creek, Pasadena, MD

We go to Conway every spring and fall when passing through the area. A nice alternative to overnighting at a dock @ $1.00 per foot is to anchor in Cox Lake, behind R 16. Good depths and plenty of room. From there it is a half hour run up-river to one of the free docks on the river. Spend the day in Conway and return to Cox Lake for the night (or run back down the river and anchor before getting to Enterprise Landing.
Jean Thomason

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Conway City Marina