The entrance channel into Reserve Harbour Marina cuts into the Waccamaw River’s southerly banks, just southwest of flashing daybeacon #71.

Another well-sheltered Marina with helpful management is Reserve Harbor YC on the Waccamaw River, mm 388. It’s also close to Brookgreen Gardens, a magnificent place to visit. Call them at 843/235-8262 for a monthly rate.
Captain Phil

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Reserve Harbour Marina

Reserve Harbor Marina lies on the southern bank of the Waccamaw River’s at AICW statute mile 338, southwest of flashing daybeacon #71.

WONDERLAND and ODYSSEE have had a wonderful visit at Brookgreen Gardens, AICW MM 387. We stayed at Reserve Harbor Marina at MM 388, R71. They are a Morningside Marina, so with their ICW Gold Card, transient dockage was $1.75 per ft. including power. You can obtain a Gold Card at check in and then use at other participating marinas on the AICW. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Also visited Huntington State Park across hwy 17. Reserve Harbor was a great place to access the Gardens from and the Gardens are well worth a couple of days.
Chuck and Claria Gorgen aboard ODYSSE

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Reserve Harbor Marina

Departing the AICW at statute mile 375, four miles south of the Socastee Bridge, this “off-road” venture from the Waterway on the lovely Waccamaw River has pleased many cruisers and has proven to be a worthy side trip. Please be sure to read the comments found in the links below.
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.

Cruising News: Left the ICW June 24 2010 at low tide and proceeded to the Conway City Marina for an overnight visit in a power yacht drawing 4 1/2 feet. At marker 2 depth was about 5 1/2 feet and varied to 35 feet with 7 1/2 encountered intermittently. The mouth of the marina has a sand bar and has shoaled to 4 feet; however the soft bottom permitted us to gently slide though to the 10 ft basin. No hose bibs for shore water are available and there are two power pedestals, each with two 30 amp connections and one 50 amp connects. Several eateries are within 4 blocks – from fried food grills to linen table cloth “fine dining.” The tide change at the marina is only about 1 foot at the most and at the ICW it is only about 2 1/2 feet. The Waccamaw River from Georgetown, SC to Conway is a beautiful stretch of meandering black river and picturesque flora and fauna.
Captain Lewis W Haselwood Jr

Click Here To View Another Posting Concerning A Cruise Up the Waccamaw River to Conway, SC

Click Here To View Earlier Comments Concerning A Cruise Up the Waccamaw River to Conway, SC

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

Certainly the Waccamaw River is one of the most scenic portions of the AICW. The dark waters and moss-hung cypress trees take you to another time before GPS and Iphones. Larry and Suzi seem to have found a favorite spot in Thoroughfare Creek.

There are so many places to choose on the Waccamaw River, but this one is great. We were here for the first time on 6/12/2010, a Saturday. Found several locals using the area for swimming and water skiing but had a very pleasant night and early morning there anchored by the sandy bank. Would recommend it highly.
Larry and Suzi

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

Another cruiser agreeing with so many of you who have been very pleased with the amenities of Osprey Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

We stopped at Osprey marina overnight on our NB journey. We found this to be a fantastic marina. Clean, Friendly and reasonable. The staff is extremely helpful and competent. We highly recommend this marina and plan to make this one of our regular stops on the ICW.
Sue Sea

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

As so many have commented, Osprey Marina continues to please!

Submitted on 2010/05/26 at 4:48pm
My favorite stop! Protected, friendly staff, CHEAP fuel, working pumpout, easy in and out.
Captain Pascal

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

We haven’t received many comments about Thoroughfare Creek, which lies west of the Waccamaw River/ICW flashing daybeacon #73, so it’s good to have these observations from Captain Litchfield. This creek makes a simply wonderful overnight stop, particularly if you track you way upstream to the point where high, sandy cliffs march down to the starboard side shores.

Submitted on 2010/05/22 at 5:50pm
We decided to stop short of our goal and anchor in Thoroughfare Creek to take advantage of the trees that provided some wind protection. We shared the anchorage with one other sailboat. We dropped the hook and immediately found out why its called `Thoroughfare’. There was lots of local traffic evidently running between the Waccamaw River and the Great Pee Dee River plus the usual local fishermen, skiers and jet skis. Thankfully, the wind and traffic died a little after sundown and we had a quiet evening. It’s a beautiful anchorage especially in when you are fogged in at daybreak.
Captain Dick Litchfield

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

Below, Captain Jane does her usual sterling job on one of our very favorite facilities in northeastern South Carolina. And, of course, Osprey Marina is one of our most loyal SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS!

We finally did it. We chugged far enough North on a long delivery skipper paced day to get us past the usual suspects of Waccawachee and
Bucksport to find out what that invisible Osprey Marina really is, how far it is down that narrow looking channel off Day Marker 26A and why it wins such praise. Here are our answers.
First, it’s a short ride down a deep water channel into a charming quiet cove a world away from speeding “go fast”‘ day boats, even though it appears to be home to many.

Second, while it only has room for five or six transient boats, and dockage is wedgie and modified-wedgie style, the eager welcoming staff
make it low stress and pleasant.
Third, it must be winning all those kudos because everyone is so helpful and pleasant and because it’s got the nicest land heads and
showers we’ve seen on the waterway, and we’ve seen a lot. Even the laundry room is fresh and spotless and includes an ironing board and
iron.
There’s a grill on site serving breakfast and lunch Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Plus there’s a highly touted Italian restaurant that will not only deliver but if you prefer will pick up and deliver you and give you time to shop at a supermarket next door.
Finally, Osprey Marina scores big with the best goody bag — cookies, cheese and crackers and a very cool key chain with warbling whistle
for hailing your first mate back into the cockpit when you are at the helm, just because you feel like it.
Jane Tigar

We would like to add our Vote for the Osprey Marina at mile 373 It was so nice to feel the warm welcome, to such a nice place, not only was the Marina one of the nicest we have stopped at, they made You feel so welcome and said Thanks for staying with us, with goodie bad and all. Great place, Great people, Great price!
Clay and Mary on sailing vessel Gemini

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

Bull Creek cuts of the AICW/Waccamaw River, south of Prince Creek. This stream provides some of the most idyllic anchorages I’ve ever reviewed, And, I’ve reviewed thousands over the last 30 years as a cruising guide author. To be succinct, don’t dare miss these waters as an overnight stop!

Anchored here 4-9-10 in the area between two anchors on the chartlet. Two other boat also there. Some wakes from small boats. Larger cruise boats went by slowly. Nice setting. No-see-ums in the morning. Lots of swing room and good protection from north winds and some from the south or east, more open to west.
Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE)

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

Glad to hear Captain Sykes had such a good visit with Wacca Wache Marina. I have not personally tried Russel’s Seafood Restaurant, but will do all in my power to correct that oversight soon!
Wacca Wache is located along the AICW’s north to south run along beautiful Waccamaw River. It is one of the only transient facilities between Osprey Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR) and Georgetown.

We stayed at the Wacco Wache Marina last night. Some of the nicest people at the marina that I have ever run into.
We elected to call Russell who runs Russel’s Sea Food restaurant about 2 miles from the marina. He, personally, came and picked us up, had a table reserved for us (very busy weekend night), and took us back to the marina. Food was great with more sea food options than they serve at the marina restaurant.
Capt. Sykes
SV Aquarius

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Wacca Wache Marina

And the hits just keep on coming here on the Cruisers’ Net for Osprey Marina! I’m not sure if there is a more praised facility in all of South Carolina.
Osprey Marina is located at the southern foot of the Pine Island Cut canal, and at the extreme northern end of the Waccamaw River portion of the AICW. You must traverse a deep canal from the Waterway to reach Osprey’s sheltered harbor. Among all its many other fine attributes, this is a great place to ride out really heavy weather.

Osprey Marina is one of our two favorite marinas. We were there on January 6, 2010, and had to break through a half inch of ice leaving in the morning. You cannot find a cleaner or more well kept facility. The onsite restaurant and ship’s store is excellent and most welcoming. The rest rooms are with the best we have ever seen. A very clean and complete laundry is also available.
Considering that this is all available at $1.00 per foot, Osprey Marina is not to be missed. It is simply superb.
Claiborne Young’s South Carolina and Georgia Cruising Guide drew us in, and it was a great choice. We recommend it to all we meet, and look forward to returning in the spring.
Norman Mason
MV Peggy Sue
Monk 36

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Osprey Marina

Wacca Wache Marina is one of the best faciltiies on the AICW/Waccamaw River. It overlooks the eastern banks, south of Prince Creek. The new restaurant Captain Crouch speaks of below has been, if memory serves, in place for some time, but like John, others may not have heard about this addition before now.

Claiborne,
This may be old news, but we recently visited the new restaurant at Wacca Wache Marina in SC. It used to be a dingy beer-biker hang-out, but I am pleased to report that it has improved by leaps & bounds.
The new restaurant is Hannah Bananas Sunshine Cabana. It has been cleaned up and redecorated. There is a full service bar, great menu and outstanding food. The outside seating on the river is very nice, and they do provide live entertainment.
I would suggest it to anyone traveling down our beautiful river.
Kindest regards,
John B. Crouch, Jr

I guess the best just keep on getting better. There have been many accolades for the Marina at the Grand Dunes here on the Cruisers’ Net, and it’s not only because they are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

Great facility. Dock hands were the best I have seen. Very courtious and informative. When we docked, we did not have to do a thing, they tied us up and made all of our hookups. Even got a free bottle of wine!
Sea Huddle

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For the Marina at Grand Dunes

While I would be hesitant taking this cruise in a vessel larger than 45 feet, we love abandoning the AICW near St. M. 375, and cruising up the upper Waccamaw River to Conway, SC. This passage has a real backwater feeling to it.
Sailors beware – there is one fixed span with an unpublished vertical clearance, but I’ve always estimated it to be only 30 to 35 feet or so.
The crew of Sea Huddle does not mention it, but there are several good shoreside restaurants within walking distance of the Conway City Marina!

Took the trip up and down the Waccamaw to Conway this past weekend. If coming south on ICW take shortcut and turn right just before Green 27 and then bear left, it will bring you out at Red 2, Depth entering was 9.8 and got deeper quickly. the shallowest I saw all the way up was 9.5 in a few spots. The deeper depths appear to favor the left going up and right coming down. Conway is a nice spot with a great park to walk your animals if needed, and close to town. The dockhands were not very helpful, two college guys, I guess it is because it is owned by the City Parks. Fuel, pump out, elec, showers, no water this time apparently the lines burst from the freezing weather. Due to no wake zones, it will take you aywhere from an 1 1/2 to 2 hours to get there.
Sea Huddle

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Conway City Marina

The overnight haven described below by Captain Andy is termed “Island Anchorage,” both in the Cruisers’ Net’s “South Carolina Anchorage Directory” and my “Cruising Guide to Coastal South Carolina and Georgia.” It consists of a small loop making off directly from the Waterway’s northwestern banks, and cutting behind a small island (hence, the name). This is a good anchorage, but to the south, Bull Creek and Thoroughfare Creek make for even better places to stop along the AICW/Waccamaw River.

Subject: Waccamaw River marker #29 anchorage
Cruising News: I’m pleased to report that the rustic anchorage at Waccamaw River #29 is still nice and unobstructed although there’s considerable development along the “green side” shoreline. EQUUS spent a pleasant night here on 12/12 in warm temperatures and drizzling rain with only one other boat. This is one of my favorite ICW anchorages and it looks like a place where a dinosaur might appear from the swamps at any moment! I always use a trip line here as there are snags on the bottom.
Captain Andy Denmark
s/v EQUUS

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For The Island Anchorage