Charleston Harbor Marina is located on the Mount Pleasant side of the Charleston Harbor. Thus, you must take a land or water taxi to reach the Charleston historic district and the MANY wonderful restaurants in Charleston. Of course, there are also some good place to slake a healthy appetite in Mount Pleasant and at Patriots Point, where the marina is located.
We have been going to the Charleston Harbor with our boats for several years. We have stayed at the City Marina twice and the Charleston Harbor Marina 4 times. We like the CHM better as they have a pool at the hotel that you have acess to as well as entertainment at the Hotel. The currents can be strong but we’ve never had a problem docking there. Just have to know to navigate the currents with your boat. The rates are only $2.15 per ft with 30Ft minimum so only about $64.50 a night for 30’³ and under plus 7$ a night for Shore power. City Marina has about the same rates. Both Marinas take good care of you at all hrs and make you feel like you have a 100Ft Yacht docked there. We’re heading down again in June and are going back to the CHM. Kent Zessin
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
The owners of Downtown Marina of Beaufort, Mandy and Rick Griffin, are some of the oldest and staunchest supporters of the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net. Please patronize their facility whenever possible. And, oh yes, all the many wonderful historic, shopping and dining attractions of downtown Beaufort are within easy walking distance.
Spent the last two nights here because of cold temps and high winds. We were placed on the outside close to the fuel pumps. Aside from a very strong current and water slapping the boat a bit at night, we had no problems. Dock hands and office staff are top notch. We used the courtesy car to get groceries and a few sundries. The laundry room was clean and the machines in great shape. Restaurants and shopping is right next door to the marina, within 100 yards of the docks. Larry Morrow
On Saturday, March 20th and Sunday, March 21st, Dataw Island Marina will host an open house featuring specials on overnight dockage and fuel, tours of the facility, and discounts on new customer leases. The Old Ship Store will offer discounts on selected merchandise and Sweetgrass Restaurant will be offering lunch and dinner specials. While you are here, be sure to go aboard the 93′ Charlestonian. This luxury cruiser offers four king size state rooms, a dining room, bar, gourmet kitchen, lounge with flat screen TV, and an additional bar on the upper deck which provides a panoramic view of the Morgan River. This vessel is available as a bed and breakfast, or can be chartered for cruises, weddings, golf trips, business gatherings, or whatever you have in mind.
Come out and visit one of the loveliest places in the low country, Dataw Island Marina. Remember, we are a public marina in a gated community. Come out and see us!
Transient Boaters
The staff at Dataw Island Marina would like to thank you for you latest stopover at our facility, a public marina in a gated community. The spring of 2009 was the best transient season ever for us and we hope to see you back at our docks this spring and fall.
As a thank you for your support of this beautiful facility, we want to offer our returning transients some special discounts.
For the months of March, April, and May, 1. Daily dockage rate of $1.00 per foot, 1/3 off our usual transient rate 2. Ten cents off each gallon of gas or diesel fuel 3. If you bring another boater with you, they will receive the reduced rate and you will receive either a second night of free dockage or an additional ten cents off per gallon of fuel purchased.
We hope to see you back at Dataw Island Marina. Maybe you will decide to stay with us for good! Just bring this letter to the marina office when you check in to receive your discounts. Also, don’t forget that we have a full service boat yard complete with a 50-ton travel lift and 20,000 lb Hoist forklift. Call ahead if you like at (843) 838-8410. We monitor VHF channels 16 and 68. Here’s wishing you days full of sunshine and smooth sailing!
Boat Shed Marina is one of several very fine facilities along the downtown Georgetown/Sampit River waterfront. Please also consider Harborwalk Marina, a bit farther upstream. This facility is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Because of high winds and very cold temps we pulled in to Boat Shed instead of dropping the anchor. This is our second stay here and we find it a great place to tie up. They have changed the marina office to a larger building and now have a super stocked ship’s store. Cost of $1.40 per foot includes electric, WiFi, water, and cable TV hook-up. The fuel hoses can easily reach any boat on the dock. Several trash containers spaced along the pier. Friendly staff and close to town and all the restaurants. Larry Morrow
Please note the Barefoot Landing Transient Dock guards the AICW’s EASTERN banks, opposite the one-time Barefoot Resort Yacht Club and Marina. This latter facility is currently undergoing a change in ownership. Everything is (and has been) stable at the facility featured in this posting, which backs up to the huge Barefoot Landing shopping complex.
Arrived here about 1500 and were greeted by Mark the Dockmaster. He expertly helped us tie up our dock lines and adjust fenders. Price is $1.50 per foot and that includes electric and WiFi which makes it a great deal. The welcome pack includes info on the shopping area and a great discount coupon to T-Bones. The docks are in great shape and very easy to approach from the waterway. Larry Morrow
McClellanville remains one of the most charming ports of call in all of South Carolina, a coastline filled with charming ports of call. As for Leland Oil Company marina, it’s certainly considerably better than it was a few years ago, but don’t look for any posh accomodations.
We stayed at Leland Oil Co. on January 7, 2010. What a beautiful location! Claiborne Young’s Cruising Guide to South Carolina and Georgia was what lured us in, and we agree, McClellanville is mystical and magical. Time has completely forgotten it, and that is a joy to experience. The Episcopal Church, overhung with Spanish Moss and live oaks, is spectacular. Don’t fail to go in. Leland Oil Co. is very friendly and most accommodating. The restroom is basic, but provides a shower and all other necessities. We will certainly Return on the return north to Norfolk. Norman Mason
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
Captain Lipton is responding below to an earlier report here on the Net, which described marker #186 as “missing.” Clearly, that problem has now been corrected, and it looks as if, at least so far, the 2009 dredging is holding depths on this perinneal “problem section” of the South Carolina AICW.
I came through here yesterday. Depths were around 8 ft. about 2 hours before low tide. Of course, we’ve had a lot of rain lately. Also the 186 marker is CLEARLY there. Mounted nice and high on a pole. You can’t miss it now! Lois Lipton
It’s interesting to me how many cruisers like to stay at the Charleston Maritime Center on Cooper River. We prefer the Charleston City Marina on the Ashley River side, but, hey, that’s just us. As Captain Felix points out below, there’s lots of shopping and sightseeing readily accessible from the Maritime Center.
We are currently staying at the Maritime Center in Charleston, SC. The price is reasonable ($1.50 per ft for boat US, 5 days pays for a week and two weeks pays for a month), the staff is very friendly and helpful and the location is great. (Did I mention free use of the washer/ dryer?) We are in easy walking distance of a great grocery store and the county library (you can get a card with a marina letter and check out DVD’s). Lots of small restaurants and coffee shops nearby. Slightly longer, but still close and an easy walk to lots of very good restaurants and museums. Also a good place to walk from to see all the great old town Charleston old homes and other sights. It is right next to the Fort Sumpter tour boat and the Aquarium so the low-priced downtown trolley stops here. The only down side – some surge from passing ships and tide changes. We are a 34 foot catamaran and hardly notice it; friends on a Pacific Seacraft 27 commented on it a lot. Captain Felix
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
I can’t think of another facility that has received so many on-line accolades here on the Cruisers’ Net as Osprey Marina. Don’t miss this place! And, don’t forget, they are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Stopped here for lunch on 1/16/09 great facilities, friendly people and a great hamburger. Will stop again! Sea Huddle
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
St. Johns Yacht Harbor will be spied along the western shores of the Stono River (just south of Charleston, SC), a short hop south of the AICW’s westerly exodus from Wappoo Creek and Elliott Cut. These good people are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
We stayed here on January 12 2010 on oue way south. It is a great place. Everyone is friendly and helpful. It is so late in the year that the store is closed, however they did offer to open it if we needed something. The laundry and bathrooms are first class, they look brand new and were spotless. You will need food on the boat as the restaurant is still under construction. They also have a pool, that needless to say was closed this time of year. One thing, the diesel pump is VERY SLOW. IT too me around half an hour to pump 220 gallons. However, the word is that this will be fixed in the near future. The bottom line, if you are in the area you can’t go wrong with this place. Dave Boxmeyer
It’s a long cruise up Broad Creek from the AICW’s passage through Calibogue Sound to Shelter Cove Marina, but there is no doubt this is a first class facility, with a very sheltered harbor. There is also on-site dining, and provisioning nearby! The post below was copied from the AGLCA mail list!
If you are prepared to go as far afield as Hilton Head, we are currently in the process of laying up our boat for a little while in Shelter Cove Marina. It is incredibly well protected with good floating docks and helpful, experienced staff. Jonah and Jo. Jonah’s Whale Endeavour 48
I agree whole heartedly. We have had three extended stays at Shelter Cove. It is one of the best marinas in a great location. We look forward to returning. Don Moon Moonstruck Sabre 42
I have taken a good, long look at chart 11534, and the marker #2 Captain Jane refers to below lies on the intersection of the AICW and Calabash Creek, just south of the NC – SC state line. Take a gander at 11534, and also notice there is a SECOND marker #2, which marks the southernmost section of the Calabash Creek channel. I’ve always thought two #2’s in such close proximity was a prescription for confusion. Anyway, the southern mouth of Calabash Creek has been shoaling for some time, so perhaps these shallows are now beginning to impinge on the Waterway. HAS ANYONE ELSE NOTED LESS THAT STELLAR DEPTHS AT THIS INTERSECTION? If so, or not, please share your observations by click on the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below. Many thanks in advance
Subject: MM 342, Little River Inlet area Cruising News: MM 342 At Little River Inlet, December 9, 2009, we found 5 feet near Red 2. It seemed to be a “lump”; we found deeper water a little bit to port. I think we were about 1/3 above low tide. We were on the red side of the channel. S/V Lady Jane
Lightkeepers Village is one of the three facilities located on protected Coquina Harbor, near AICW marker #13. The other two are “Coquina Harbor Yacht Club” and Myrtle Beach Yacht Club (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!).
We have kept our boat at Lightkeepers Marina, Little River, SC many times. Coquina Harbor, it’s basically the North Myrtle Beach area. http://www.lightkeepersmarina.com/ Floating docks, quiet and secure with great rates, phone James the Dockmaster for their best rates. Phone 843 249 8660. Tell them the Aussies told you to call. We’re here at the moment on our boat and plan on staying until mid January, maybe longer. Rod and Pauline “Two by Two” Nova Scotia 47 Pilothouse Trawler
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
Like Captain Andy, I can remember with Hazzard Marine was one of the most forgettable “facilities” in the SC Low Country. My how times have changed, this time for the better. Hazzard Marine is now an excellent facility, but so its Harborwalk Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR), just a bit farther upstream.
Equus is on the hard in Georgetown at Hazard’s Marina & Boatyard with a shaft- cutless bearing- stuffing box problem that was about to sink us . Hazard’s is a first-class operation now. I remember it from years ago as only a rickety old pier with a bad fuel pumps. It is now small but five star for service and accomodations.. Best of the season to you and yours, Andy Denmark
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