Boating
Lowcountry Boating Guide
Hilton Head & Bluffton
Life in the Lowcountry is built around the water. From Broad Creek and Skull Creek to the May River and Calibogue Sound, Hilton Head Island and Bluffton offer endless ways to explore by boat, kayak, or paddleboard. Use this guide to find marinas, public boat ramps, charters, and key resources before you head out on the water.
Boat Launches & Public Docks
Find the closest public access point for your next day on the water.
Alljoy Boat Landing
May River Access | Calibogue Sound
Bluffton Oyster Factory Park
Ramp only | May River access
Buckingham Landing
Mackay Creek | Calibogue Sound
C.C. Haigh Jr. Boat Landing & Pier
Skull Creek | Mackay Creek
Calhoun Street Public Dock
Wright Family Park | May River
Cross Island Boat Landing
Deepwater Broad Creek access
H.E. Trask, Sr. Boat Landing
Colleton | Okatie | Chechessee Rivers
Jenkins Island Fishing Pier
Skull Creek | Fishing pier
Marshland Road Boat Landing
Shallow Broad Creek access
Old House Creek Dock
Fishing pier | Quiet setting
Rowing & Sailing Center at Squire Pope
Floating dock | Paddle launch
Safety & Boating Resources
Helpful resources that you may need if you go out on the water.
NOAA Tide Predictions – Hilton Head Island
South Carolina Boating Regulations
South Carolina DNR Boating Home
South Carolina DNR Boating Safety Tips
South Carolina DNR Titling & Registration
Local Marinas
Dockage, fuel, watersports, charters, dining & more.
Broad Creek Marina – Hilton Head
Dining | watersports | charters
Freeport Marina – Daufuskie Island
Day slips | restaurant | general store
Harbour Town Yacht Basin – Sea Pines
Fuel | slips | dining | lighthouse views
Hilton Head Harbor Marina – North End
Fuel | restaurant | Intracoastal access
Palmetto Bay Marina – South End
Watersports | restaurants | Broad Creek
Palmetto Bluff Public Dock – Wilson Village
May River access at the heart of Palmetto Bluff
Safe Harbor Skull Creek – North End
Slips | fuel | direct Intracoastal access
Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina – Mid-Island
Shops | dining | events | large marina
South Beach Marina – Sea Pines
Waterfront dining | watersports | Braddock Cove
Windmill Harbour Marina – Near HHI Bridge
Locked harbour | SCYC yacht club
BEST SPOTS ON THE WATER
May River Sandbar
A popular gathering spot at low tide.
Daufuskie Island
Perfect for day trips, dining, and exploring.
Broad Creek Waterway
Calm water, dolphin activity, great restaurants.
POPULAR BOATING ROUTES
Discover a few of the most popular boating paths locals use to enjoy the Lowcountry’s best scenery and waterfront spots.
May River Bluffton Loop
Launch from Alljoy Landing and cruise along the May River past Old Town Bluffton toward Palmetto Bluff. Expect sandbars at low tide, wide river views, and easy spots to anchor.
Harbour Town & Calibogue Sound Route
Ideal for lighthouse views, dolphin activity, and open-water cruising. Launch from Harbour Town or Palmetto Bay and loop out into the sound.
Daufuskie Island Day Trip
A classic Lowcountry boating day. Launch from Harbour Town, Shelter Cove, or Broad Creek and cross Calibogue Sound toward Daufuskie Island. Dock at Freeport Marina for food, drinks, and exploring.
Broad Creek Scenic Run
A calm, scenic ride for all boat sizes. Start at Palmetto Bay Marina and follow Broad Creek past Shelter Cove Harbor and Broad Creek Marina. Great for dolphin sightings.
Skull Creek Sunset Route
One of Hilton Head’s most iconic sunset waterways. Launch from Jenkins Island or Hilton Head Harbor and cruise toward Port Royal Sound along the Intracoastal.