Boating in Hilton Head & Bluffton

We are surrounded by beautiful water – saltwater creeks, tributaries, and sounds that lead to the open ocean. The Intracoastal Waterway runs between Hilton Head Island and Bluffton and there is a US Coast Guard Station on Tybee Island, GA.

The waterways are utilized for a number of activities in addition to cruising around, including kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing, jet-skiing, tours, and fishing.

While you’re out on the water, stop at one of the many restaurants that have docks for boating customers to dine-in or carry out! There are lots of local businesses with eco-tours, fishing charters, and boat rentals as well!

Boating Resources:

• South Carolina Department of Natural Resources – SCDNR
  Boat Registration | Boater Education  | Fishing Licenses
• America’s Boating Club – Hilton Head
  A non-profit organization focusing on education, boating activities and outreach
  (formerly Hilton Head Sail and Power Squadron)
• US Coast Guard Auxiliary
  Offering public education courses, safety inspections and other resources
• Tide Charts & Forecast
• Understanding HHI Tides

Favorite Boating Apps:

• Navionics: Marine Navigation
• Tides Near Me: Tidal conditions
• RadarNow!: Weather radar
• Windy: Detailed wind & weather
• Fish Rules: Fishing regulations
• Boat US: Tides, Weather & 24/7 Assistance

Local Boating Clubs:

• Freedom Boat Club
  Dues allow FBC members unlimited access to the club fleet, you do not own the boat or incur any service or storage fees
• Kayak Club
  Annual or monthly pass for hassle free kayak use, including life jackets and launching ramp
• South Carolina Yacht Club
  Boating, Sports and Social Club – Sailing regattas, lessons, and camps
• The Yacht Club of Hilton Head
  Boating and Social Club

BOAT LAUNCH & FISHING DOCKS Alljoy Boat Landing Access to May River and Calibogue Sound Bluffton Oyster Factory Park Access to May River | Ramp only; No courtesy dock Buckingham Boat Landing Access to MacKay Creek and Calibogue Sound C.C. Haigh Jr. Boat Landing & Pier Access to MacKay and Skull Creeks | Fixed Pier Calhoun Street Public Dock May River | Fishing Dock Cross Island Boat Landing Access to Broad Creek and Calibogue Sound H. E. Trask, Sr. Boat Landing Access to Colleton, Okatie, and Chechessee Rivers Jenkins Island Fishing Pier Skull Creek | Fishing Dock Marshland Boat Landing Access to headwaters of Broad Creek | Small Boats, Kayaks, and Canoes only | Shallow Water Old House Creek Dock Fishing Pier Rowing & Sailing Center at Squire Pope Community Center Fixed Pier | Floating Dock | Kayak & Paddleboard Launch

MARINAS Broad Creek Marina– Broad Creek Slips | Dry Storage | Watersports | Restaurants Freeport Marina – Daufuskie Island Day Slips | Restaurant | General Store | Cabin Rentals Harbour Town Yacht Basin – Calibogue Sound Fuel | Watersports | Restaurants | Shops Hilton Head Harbor – Skull Creek Slips | Fuel | Watersports | Restaurant | Ship Store Palmetto Bay Marina – Broad Creek Slips | Fuel | Watersports | Restaurants | Shops Palmetto Bluff Public Dock – May River Day Slips | Restaurants | Shops Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina – Broad Creek Slips | Fuel | Watersports | Restaurants | Shops South Beach Marina – Braddock Cove Slips | Fuel | Watersports | Restaurants | Shops Windmill Harbour Marina – Calibogue Sound Locked Harbour | Slips | Home of SCYC Safe Harbor Skull Creek – Skull Creek Slips | Fuel | Watersports

[RETURN TO THE LOWCOUNTRY INSIDER’S GUIDE]