PADDLING CHARLESTON
JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE SURROUNDED BY WATER DOESN’T MEAN IT’S AN EASY PLACE TO PADDLE.
I came from the north where there weren’t tides I needed to watch, alligators, or military bases to think about. Paddling around Charleston was intimidating to me for the first few years. Thankfully, I decided to try it, so here are my tips on how to have the best experience. I’ll keep learning!
Shem creek
mt. pleasant
edisto river
ridgeville
Cooper river
goose creek
ASHLEY RIVER
WEST ASHLEY
lake moultrie
coming soon!
folly beach
COMING SOON!
SHEM CREEK
MT PLEASANT, SC
Put in location: Shem Creek Boat Landing
There is a dock for you to put your paddleboard into the water
Tide Dependant: Yes - go inland when tides are rising and out to the bay as tides are going out
Timeframe: Up to you and the tides
Shade: None
Wildlife: Dolphins near the restaurants. I’ve never seen alligators in that area because it’s so salty, but it’s a small possibility.
Details: Start at the boat launch and go upriver to some of the marsh areas and then travel through the Shem Creek’s restaurants. Watch for the dolphins that are normally between the restaurants. Head out to the bay. There is a sand bar that is fun to stop at. You’ll see yellow signs in the water denoting it.
Edisto river
ridgeville, SC
Put in location: Givhan’s Ferry State Park
$6 entrance fee/adult to the park unless you have a State Park pass.
Tide Dependant: No, but your timeframe will depend on the height of the river.
Timeframe: 2-6 hours (Contact Edisto River Adventures to check water levels)
Shade: Along the edges, but the river is pretty wide so you don’t feel it
Wildlife: You may see snakes in the trees and an occasional alligator. They are very very rare in the area where you’ll float, so it’s not to be concerned with.
Details: Unload your tubes here. Take a second vehicle down here to transport people back to the State Park. You’ll be able to get back in with your first receipt. It’s free to go on your own, or you can rent tubes from Edisto River Adventures for them to arrange your entire experience for $29/person.
UPPER ashley river
west ashley, SC
Put in location: Herbert H. Jessen Public Boat Landing
Lots of parking options and a great kayak launch by the bathrooms
Tide Dependant: Yes, going with the tides will be much easier
Timeframe: 2-3 hours to go from the boat landing to Ashley River Park and back
Shade: Yes quite a bit along the edges
Wildlife: There are frequent alligators in this stretch of the river. They’ll leave you alone though, but I wouldn’t recommend paddle-boarding this river.
Details: Put your kayak in at Herbert H. Jessen Boat Landing and then go up river with the tide. You will want to plan it at slack tide (right after highest tide) to then take the river back down to go back to your car. If you only want to go one direction, you can park a car at both locations - Herbert Jessen and Ashley River Park.
cooper river
goose creek, SC
Put in location: Tanner Plantation behind Brew
Tide Dependant: Not really. The river is flowing enough that tides shouldn’t affect you
Timeframe: 2-3 hours depending on where you stop or turn around
Shade: No - the river is too wide for any shade
Wildlife: There are frequent alligators in this stretch of the river. They’ll leave you alone though, but I wouldn’t recommend paddle-boarding this river.
Details: I’m not sure where to take out on this river and would love any feedback. When I kayaked, I was hoping to exit the river and found out it was in the Navy base so I couldn’t get out. I had to exit on private property at Yeaman’s Hall Golf Club. They were not happy, but I didn’t have another option, and it was starting to storm. The paddle was truly wonderful, but I wouldn’t recommend going further than this railroad bridge (even though it’s beautiful). I intend to paddle it again and will follow up! Check my Instagram for updates.