Inlet Creek makes off from the northern banks of the AICW, north (really east) of the Waterway’s intersection with Charleston Harbor, and is surrounded by marsh grass shores. We have always found the mainland branch of Inlet Creek to be an acceptable anchorage, and a good place to wait for daylight or fair weather to make good our entry into Charleston Harbor at Sullivans Island.

We got chased off the water on 4/25/2013 by fast approaching thunderstorms and severe weather warnings broadcast on the VHF. It was 15h30, just off celestial low at Ben Sawyer Bridge. We considered hiding at Toler’s Cove Marina, which has been a friendly stop for us in the past, but instead, we decided on Inlet Creek. The entrance is shoal to the south side, but center-line and north side depths carried 16′ – 17′ at approximately 1+ on tide. low water. We went in to about 200 yds from the shoal at the back of the creek, and dropped the hook in 13′, with a tidal range of 9′. We laid out 130′ of rode, and did not set out a second anchor. We had adequate swing room for our 40′ Sanctuary. We were later joined by a large sailing catamaran, greater LOA than ours, who also did not set out a second anchor. The holding was fine; no problems with the 35kt t’storm gusts we got. There were no small, fast fishing boat wakes, and the wind protection was “salt marsh average.” Sunset and sunrise were spectacular.
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Inlet Creek Anchorage

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