Thoroughfare Creek Anchorages
Statute Mile: 389
Lat/Lon:
33 30.443 North/079 08.771 West (anchorage just upstream of creek’s first sharp turn to the north
33 30.892 North/079 08.643 West (anchorage abeam of charted high ground at Belin
Location: Thoroughfare creek lies west of the Waccamaw River/ICW flashing daybeacon #73
Minimum Depth: 10-feet
Special Comment: Upstream anchorage on Thoroughfare Creek is one of the best overnight havens on the Waccamaw River
Swing Room: sufficient room for boats as large as 40 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Excellent
Rating: 
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Comments from Cruisers (12)
The spot by the sand dune is a beautiful anchorage. You can beach the dinghy and go ashore. The property is part of a SC wildlife refuge and has some walking trails. One of our visits to this anchorage was on a warm, spring Sunday afternoon. A large group of young folks were having a party on the beach with loud music and drinking. They had fast boats which they only ran at full throttle through the anchorage. It was unpleasant and unsafe. We pulled anchor and moved to Cowhouse Creek for a quiet night. Be cautious on weekends.
Glen and Jill Moore
DeFever 40 Last Dance
I anchored off the sandy bluffs on a misty late afternoon in January and it was still one of the most enchanting places I’ve anchored on the ICW. The next morning was even more amazing. I expect it’s not very pleasant in weather warm enough for local boating though. I understand it is jet ski heaven.
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Roger Long
S/V Strider
Oct 9 Anchored at Thoroughfare Creek Anchorage, anchored just off the ICW in 16 of water near the mouth of the creek, very quiet night.
Doug Cordello
We often revel in the changing seasons. Every transit is different depending on the weather, the seasonal cloud formations, the patterns of bird and mammal migration, and the colors of the wooded shores or saltmarsh expanses.
But here’s a seasonal change we weren’t expecting: the Waccamaw River in summer.
For most experienced ICW cruisers, the Waccamaw River is one of their favorite cruising grounds. Anchorage after peaceful anchorage, typically the only boat tucked into a surreal cypress setting draped with Spanish moss. Birds call from the dark swampy woods and ospreys whistle from their huge stick nests.
But that’s the Waccamaw River of early spring or fall. Come summer, especially on weekends, this waterway that is part of a national wildlife refuge becomes a playground for the jet skis, pontoon boats, and Baja cruisers from nearby overflowing Myrtle Beach.
Don’t believe us? We witnessed quiet Thoroughfare Creek anchorage (STM 388.8) become a speedway for party boats to access the sandy bluffs at charted Belin, known to locals as “Sandy Island.” It looked like Coney Island!
So we gave up on anchoring in Thoroughfare Creek, deciding to press on along the magenta line. We departed the Waccamaw with the company of a noisy jet skier, zig-zagging back and forth right off our stern using our wake to “catch some air.”
Sheesh …
Best and see you On the Water!
Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com
We anchored here a couple years ago. We stopped here again a couple weeks ago but now we have a dinghy. We cruised the canals, then over to the beach for some swimming. We had some conversations with the locals who come there often for swiming. We hiked a little on the trails and then spent a quiet night on the hook. It’s a great anchorage.
There was a mention above about developers. The was a PBS special on this island, but the short story is, the state of SC bought it and recently turned it over to an environmental group. While there may be some more homes on the canals and in the traditionally black town on the other side of the island, there will be no bridge or “developement”.
There are so many places to choose on the Wacamaw 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.
We decided to stop short of our goal and anchor in Thouroghfare 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.
Spent the day under power in a drizzling rain. This was my last chance to find an anchorage before nightfall. It was beautiful to me then, in the rain, and remains so in my memory. One sailing catamaran was there when I arrived, and a trawler arrived just after I set the hook. My Bruce anchor dragged, so I changed to a CQR. No problem. It was probably due to fluky conditions, though, as wind and current were at odds when I arrived. Didn’t get a good set to start with.
Last November we anchored there, arriving about 4pm to find about six other cruisers anchored there. We didn’t land the cliff, but did take the dinghy into the maze of canals on the east side of the creek. We saw no place to land and a few homes or summer cottages. Not certain.
James Lea
S/V Estelle
Bristol 41.1
Sandy Island has a primarily black history – one time slaves. With a friend we found the skeleton timbers of an old old sunken boat there and a badly rusted ball and chain which we were pretty sure once must have held a plantation slaves ankle to the boat. There is a dock there for dinghies. It’s worth an afternoon trip
Best wishes
Arnold
It has been about 6 months since I anchored on Thoroughfare Creek. The sandy cliff and beach area is quite a gathering place on weekends and holidays. All types of boats anchor there or tie up to shore. Adventurous captains with smaller boats and drafts to 3′ can probably motor their way into the center of the island and come out on the other side of the sandy cliff. I have done it in a 35′ Regal with 35″ draft. The entrance is almost hidden but watch and you will see other boats entering or ask a local. There is an interesting story about the history of this island but time does not permit me to tell it now. Suffice it to say that some developers wanted to develop the island and build a bridge to it but it was voted down and I believe it is now owned by the state and will not be developed.
Bob Love
Home Port: Pawleys Island, SC
WOW! This is absolutely one of our all time favorite anchorages. We’ve been known to stay 2 nights. Our 2 big dogs LOVE the big sand dune and the Nature Conservancy trails through the woods. The traffic all goes away before dark and the nights are among the most peaceful on the waterway. Highly recommend it as a hidey hole for bad blows. We’ve been there in one and barely felt a ripple in the water. The only downside occurs during spring floods when the current runs quite strong through the anchorage, enough to turn our props! Had to weight them down with monkey wrenches to stop the turning. Holding is, however, great. If ya’ll haven’t been there, do it now before the developers get their way!
Captain Bobbie Blowers