One of America’s undisputed yachting hubs, South Carolina can boast a remarkable 108.7 recreational boats per 1,000 inhabitants, the second-highest ownership rate in the United States after Minnesota. That equates to around half a million watercraft in total, or 4.71% of all registered vessels in the country, with over 360,000 of these listed as motorboats. Perhaps the reason why boating is so popular in the Palmetto State lies in its 3,000 miles of stunning coastline, or 200 miles as the crow flies. Maybe it’s the 8,000 miles of navigable rivers or 1,400 lakes and ponds on offer here, or it could just be that a warm Southern welcome, pristine beauty and a smattering of charming historic cities make this the perfect place to get out on the water.
South Carolina’s premier destination has to be the historic city of Charleston, where palm trees and a sultry vibe share the space with Colonial and Federal-era architecture and a wealth of heritage destinations. The biggest marina in both the city and the state is the Charleston Harbor Marina, a 459-slip full-service facility on the eastern flank of the Cooper River. If docking right by town is more your game, then try the sequence of marinas lining the Ashley River, including the Charleston Yacht Club, the Charleston City Marina or Safe Harbor Bristol for hundreds of slips within walking distance of the action. When in town also try to check the dates for Charleston Race Week, usually held in April, which is the biggest keelboat regatta in the Americas.
A beloved destination for beach-goers and spring breakers, the resort town of Myrtle Beach also offers plenty of opportunities to boat. Head to the 153-slip Myrtle Beach Yacht Club or the 100-slip Harborgate Marina for access to both the Intracoastal Waterway and, via the Little River Inlet, the vast expanses of the Atlantic for offshore cruising.
A prime spot for fishing and bayboating in the backwaters is the Lowcountry region near the Georgia border, where destinations like Hilton Head Island and Port Royal Sound await. Head out from Safe Harbor Skull Creek to fish for red drum, sheepshead and tarpon, while lifting your binoculars to spot loggerhead sea turtles, manatees and even alligators. Yet this state’s boating isn’t just concentrated at the coast. Head to Lake Marion, an 110,000 acre reservoir that sits adjacent to the beautiful Santee State Park to really get away from it all. A plethora of boat ramps offer boating access into this huge and serene body of water, where record-breaking largemouth bass, white perch and bream can be caught.
The boating sector is worth over $6.5 billion dollars annually to South Carolina, supporting more than 27,000 jobs across over 600 businesses. There’s a vibrant yacht-building scene down here, with established major firms including Scout Boats, Sea Fox Boats, Sea Hunt Boats and Freeman Boatworks.
Since 1964, SI Yachts has been helping our clients through the processes of buying and selling boats, many times it's their 10th or more boat sale with us. We take service very seriously and we are able to retain some of the best service talent in the industry giving us an incredible advantage when it comes making sure our customers enjoy their boating lifestyle. When you buy a yacht from us, our industry-leading mobile service team is just a phone call away. With a service facility located in Staten Island and mobile service throughout the Northeast and South Florida, SI Yachts has a true north-to-south connection for our seasonal cruising clients.
