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Kayaking in South Carolina can let you experience whitewater, coastal water, and swamps. And in addition to that, you’ve got an abundance of wildlife and nature from the moment you launch.
There are so many places to paddle in the Palmetto State, so we have narrowed it down to some of our most favorite. Remember to pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and bug spray.
7 Best Places To Kayak & Canoe In South Carolina
1: Capers Island
Capers Island is a small barrier island, just north of Charleston. It’s only accessible by boat and can be best explored by kayak. Capers Island Heritage Preserve is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including alligators and birds. Sea turtles can also occasionally be spotted.
The island has a rich habitat of salt marshes, oyster beds, and maritime uplands. It is also home to boneyard beach, where the ocean has eroded the forests and left behind bleached, dead trees.
You can launch your kayak at Gadsdenville Public Boat Launch in Awendaw.
This can be an easy four-mile paddle to Capers Island if you ride the tide out. You can camp on the beach on the island but make sure you get a permit from the DNR before you head out.
You can rent kayaks at the marina in Isle of Palms.
How to get there:
From Charleston, take Highway 17 north to Gadsdenville Road to reach the boat launch.
2: Waccamaw River
The Waccamaw River features 140 miles of Blue Trail and flows through both North and South Carolina. Thought to be one of the best blackwater rivers in the Southeast, the Waccamaw can be a fantastic place to paddle if you’re looking for wildlife.
The river flows through the Waccamaw River Heritage Preserve and the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, where you can paddle alongside alligators, swallow-tailed kites, river otters, hawks and wild hogs.
There are several launch sites, making it easy to paddle short or long distances. The first launch is at Wortham’s Landing, with the first take-out at Chris Anderson Landing, roughly six miles downstream. Kayak rentals are available at Chris Anderson Landing.
How to get there:
Chris Anderson Landing is located just off Highway 9 north of North Myrtle Beach. Wortham’s Landing is located at the end of Highway 111 north of Wampee Road. You can also access the Waccamaw from downtown Conway.
3: Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island is a popular vacation island off the South Carolina coast, just north of Savannah, Georgia. It’s probably best known for its beaches and golf courses but exploring by kayak can give you a different perspective of this sometimes busy island.
There are lots of quiet creeks to check out and you can even paddle around Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to a variety of birds, reptiles and mammals. There is also an 11-mile flatwater lagoon which can be great for new paddlers.
There’s a boat ramp just off Marshland Road and another at Broad Creek Landing, just under the Cross Island Parkway Bridge.
Kayak rentals and tours are available near Broad Creek Marina.
How to get there:
From I-95, take Route 278 east to Hilton Head Island. There is a public boat ramp at the eastern end of Marshland Road, off Route 278.