Skip to content
Boating Hubs
South Carolina boating waters. Backdrop for the Boating Hubs South Carolina marina directory

Marinas · South Carolina

Marinas in South Carolina

Cruise 18 marinas across South Carolina. Maps, hours, contact info, photos, and verified operator profiles, all in one place.

Lowcountry marsh, the Blue Ridge escarpment, and Atlantic barrier islands.

Updated

View 18 marinasGet listed free

Highest rated

Marinas in South Carolina by Google rating

Ranked by Google rating, then by number of reviews, across the 17 of 18 marinas in South Carolina with 10 or more Google reviews.

MarinaCityRating
Destination Boat Clubs CarolinasClover5.049 Google reviews
Charleston City Marina Dock OfficeCharleston4.921 Google reviews
Lady's Island MarinaBeaufort4.8130 Google reviews
Safe Harbor BristolCharleston4.858 Google reviews
BoatsetterLake Wylie4.819 Google reviews
Safe Harbor Charleston CityCharleston4.7754 Google reviews
Palmetto Bay MarinaHilton Head Island4.7303 Google reviews
Wacca Wache MarinaMurrells Inlet4.6624 Google reviews

All listings

18 marinas in South Carolina

All states

Get listed free

Run a marina in South Carolina? Add it to Boating Hubs. Free, no commission.

Add your listing

Also on the water

Boat rentals, tours and charters in South Carolina

Top camping

Most-booked campgrounds in South Carolina

Federal campgrounds in South Carolina that Recreation.gov lists for boating, ranked by how many times they were booked in fiscal 2025.

  1. Twin Lakes1

    Twin Lakes

    7,630 bookings
  2. Springfield2

    Springfield

    4,063 bookings
  3. Oconee Point3

    Oconee Point

    3,292 bookings
  4. Coneross Park4

    Coneross Park

    3,167 bookings
  5. Buck Hall Recreation Area5

    Buck Hall Recreation Area

    1,800 bookings

Bookings: Recreation.gov, fiscal 2025 (Oct 2024 to Sep 2025).

On the map

Marinas, boat launches, rivers & creeks and camping in South Carolina

Everything we have mapped in South Carolina, on one map. Tap anything for its details.

Loads the full map of South Carolina. We leave it off by default so the page opens fast on mobile data.

Tap a launch to pinpoint it on the map, then open it for ramp type, fees, and the nearest marina.

  • Details
  • Details
  • Details
  • Details
  • Details
  • Details
  • Details
  • Details
Browse all 446 boat launches

About South Carolina

Salt marsh, tidal creek, open Atlantic, the South Carolina coast reads like a chart full of choices. The Intracoastal Waterway threads the length of it, linking Beaufort, Georgetown, and Charleston, three towns where the docks sit within walking distance of real history. This is the Lowcountry: barrier islands, working estuaries, and passes out to blue water, with everything from an idle afternoon cruise to a deep-sea fishing run on the table. Marinas along the route are built for transients and know how to take care of them.

Inland, the state trades salt for fresh without losing much. Lake Murray, near Columbia, draws powerboats, sailors, and skiers to a shoreline full of coves and islands. Farther west, Lakes Hartwell, Keowee, and Jocassee sit against the Upstate's mountain backdrop: clear water, quieter cruising, and scenery that keeps people coming back. The marinas on these lakes carry fuel, slips, and repair services, so a freshwater trip runs on the same easy logistics as a coastal one.

You don't have to own a boat to work this water. Marinas range from Charleston's busy City Marina to tucked-away stops along the ICW, offering transient dockage, long-term slips, fuel, and provisions. Charter operators, thickest in the coastal cities, run guided fishing, sightseeing tours, and bareboat rentals, putting the marshes, the history, and the fishing within reach of anyone willing to book a day.

When to cruise in South Carolina

Peak Mar–May, Nov

Full season

Quick facts

Boat launches mapped
446
Rivers mapped
719
Marinas listed
18
Best season
October through May

Trip guide

Know before you go in South Carolina

Confirm current requirements with the agency that sets them before your trip. Rules and fees change every season.

  • Boater Education Requirement

    Any person born after July 1, 2007, must complete a boating safety education course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) to operate a boat with a 10 horsepower or greater motor. Proof of completion must be carried onboard.

  • Vessel Registration & Titling

    All motorized vessels, including sailboats with auxiliary engines, must be registered and titled with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). Registration decals must be displayed on both sides of the bow, and the registration certificate must be onboard.

  • Fishing Licenses

    A valid South Carolina fishing license is required for anyone 16 years or older to fish in fresh or saltwater. Specific permits may be needed for certain species or gear types. Licenses can be purchased online or from authorized vendors.

    SC DNR Licensing

  • Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) & Waste

    The discharge of untreated sewage from vessels is prohibited in all South Carolina waters. All recreational vessels with an installed toilet must have a functional Marine Sanitation Device (MSD), and boaters are encouraged to use pump-out facilities located at many marinas.

01What is the best time of year for boating in South Carolina?
Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) are the sweet spots: comfortable temperatures, lighter traffic, and reliable conditions. Summer belongs to swimmers and watersports crowds, but it runs hot, and afternoon thunderstorms are practically on the schedule.
02Are bareboat charters available in South Carolina?
Yes, particularly out of the major coastal hubs, Charleston and Hilton Head chief among them. Expect operators to ask for demonstrated boating experience and appropriate certifications before handing over the keys. Captained charters are widely available for anyone who'd rather leave the helm to a pro.
03What should I know about hurricane season when boating in SC?
It runs June 1 to November 30, and it deserves a plan, not just awareness. Watch forecasts closely through the season, know your safe havens and evacuation routes for the boat, and learn your marina's protocols, most have specific procedures once a watch or warning goes up.
04Can I boat on South Carolina's inland lakes, and what are the main ones?
Absolutely, the freshwater side of the state is a destination in itself. Lake Murray sits near Columbia; the vast Santee Cooper Lakes (Marion and Moultrie) anchor the Midlands; and Hartwell, Keowee, and Jocassee stack up in the Upstate. Each has its own scenery and its own following.
05Are pump-out stations readily available at marinas?
At most full-service marinas along the coast and on the major inland lakes, yes. The exceptions tend to be remote stops, so confirm pump-out availability when you make marina reservations rather than discovering the gap mid-trip.
06What kind of wildlife might I encounter while boating?
A lot. Dolphins work the coastal waters regularly, seabirds are constant company, and manatees turn up in the warmer months. On the inland lakes, birdlife is rich and deer and other animals show along the shorelines. Give everything room. Watch from a respectful distance.

Free tools

Your free outdoor toolkit

View all tools
River levelsLive levels for every gauged river in South Carolina.
Boat LaunchesFind public boat ramps on a map, with the water each one sits on.
Boating License CheckPick your state, boat and birth year for a yes or no from the state's own boater education rule, quoted and linked.
River ExplorerExplore named rivers from USGS data. Filter by water type, with live flow where a gauge sits.
Route PlannerDrop stops on a map and watch distance and drive time add up. Export a GPX or share the link.
Skill DrillsInteractive 3D drills, one decision at a time. Pick wrong and you watch it fail, then learn why.