If you're taking the Intracoastal Waterway up or down the East Coast, you'll first need to do some careful research – especially around the openings, closings, height restrictions, and contact information of the ICW's many bridges. Navigating the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) A few pointed when cruising and sailing the AICW. The trip was set to run the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) south from Charleston, South Carolina 70 miles to the town of Beaufort. – Beaufort, some ICW, and Cape Charles. Most are fixed bridges with a 65 foot clearance. May 28, 2015 May 28, 2015. Feb 4, 2011 #1 Last Oct the Misses and I went down the ICW from Charleston to Beaufort for my birthday. While Myrtle Beach offers cruisers lots of marinas, we usually press on to the Waccamaw River, one of the most scenic parts of the ICW, with wooded banks, deep water, wildflowers, moss-draped trees, and … The distance between Moorehead/Beaufort NC and Charleston SC is shorter on the ICW than going outside, when you consider the long 'slogs' in and out of the inlets. At 3 pm, we said farewell to our friends at Lady’s Island Marina, took our last look of Good DIY yard: Bock Marine on ICW just north of Beaufort. And with good reason: this tiny stopover provides safe harbor, provisioning, repairs, a rich nautical history, and quaint southern charm to boot. The ICW had changed. Since leaving Norfolk we spent 4 days on the Intercostal Waterway traveling south, part of a procession of “snowbirds”, boaters migrating to warmer … We … Our route is a combination of the ICW and open Atlantic Ocean cruising. We could fit under it so we didn't have to wait for it to be raised. Charleston City Marina (ICW mile marker 469.5) is another first-class operation. Beautiful sunrise over Beaufort this morning. Before you start planning your next trip to Beaufort, the Outer Banks, or even Key West– consider putting your car in the garage + setting sail via the Intracoastal Waterway.. Also known as ‘America’s oldest highway,’ ‘ICW,’ or ‘ The Ditch,’ this … From oil tankers, tour boats, barges, other trawlers, and more than a few sailboats. The trip from Dowry Creek to Beaufort was pleasant with sunny skies and modest breezes the entire day. St. Augustine, Savannah, Hilton Head, Charleston, Pawley's Island, Barefoot Landing, Murrell's Inlet, Waccamaw River, Myrtle Beach, (We need 60 feet for our mast). Georgetown sits on the banks of a natural harbor with a great anchorage and free town dinghy docks. What happens to the current between the the inlet to the Broad river / St, Helena and Charleston … Today was a travel day. Navigating the Intracoastal Waterway. I live in Beaufort SC, and have been working on my experience near-shore. It wasn't long before we got to our first bridge. The more protected slips are all 50amp power and no help to us. NAPA auto in Morehead City. The run from Charleston to Beaufort is the longest one that we do. This section of the ICW has more than its fair share of bridges, particularly in the stretch between Swansboro and Georgetown (South Carolina). We certainly have seen every kind of boat on the ICW. By 0855 we were underway in the ICW. It can last between 32 and 36 hours. Joined Jun 24, 2007 Messages 316 Reaction score 5 Points 18 Location Chapin, SC. It was a beautiful, calm and sunny morning as we left and pulled in behind a slightly smaller power boat. Today we left our slip at 07:45 and headed north on the Beaufort River. Anchored 2 nights Behind Charleston and Beaufort, Georgetown is South Carolina’s third oldest city. New Orleans seafood dish is good. After passing Fort Sumter we left the main ship channel and entered the ICW. Next the ICW spills out into Winyah Bay where we made our approach to Georgetown. Thread starter Grady_Crazy; Start date Feb 4, 2011; G. Grady_Crazy GreatGrady Captain. Contact.OurPathThrough@gmail.com May 29, 2018. We are headed south on the ICW from Beaufort, NC to Beaufort, SC and beyond….. Day 11~Mile 267-203 Published on May 10, 2016 May 19, 2016 by lindseybanks427 Leave a comment The only other boat on the transient dock was an older guy and another couple headed to Charleston. The weather forecast shows SW winds of 10 to 15 knots with gusts to 20 and a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. We … Boats with masts taller than 65 feet must run outside from Beaufort Inlet, NC to Georgetown or Charleston, SC, both of which have … Charleston, including the Cooper, Wando and Ashley Rivers (AICW Statute Mile 464 to 473) AICW, Stono River to North Edisto River (Statute Mile 473 to 496) ... Anchorages ICW Beaufort River to Calibogue Sound and Hilton Head Island (AICW Statute Mile 565 to 575.5) AICW, Cooper River to Savannah River (Statute Mile … They're 72 statute miles apart, a long trawler day. After having a great dinner together with Steve and Karen on last Saturday night, we left Dowry Creek early Sunday morning and sailed along the ICW to Beaufort, NC. Weighing in with roughly 5,000 souls, Beaufort is a veritable mecca for the thousands of boaters and sailors who make the trek along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). No good anchorage, everywhere 30-40 … As someone who takes pride in “delivering what I promise”, I struggle with changing plans. Cape Charles VA, U.S.A. S/V Coaster Update – Day 667 Charleston to Beaufort. However we did that OK and were soon in the ICW proper. The migration puts stress on the marinas and facilities. I would like to do both the ICW and the near shore route. The next day was a late start waiting for a rising 1/2 tide in what is reported to be the most treacherous part (shoaling/depth wise) of the ICW, the 2nd section of the Ashepoo Coosaw Cutoff. We left at 8 AM after walking the dogs. It welcomes transients such as ourselves, offering dingy docks, hot showers for $2 and a laundromat. Clawsons restaurant: not impressive. We got to work on dinner and meeting the neighbors. ICW Sailing (in Beaufort, SC) Posted on April 2, 2019 by Leah. We stayed in good water all the way, and with a sigh of relief entered the Coosaw River only to find we now had strong winds on our nose … In 1913, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers submitted its next report to Congress on the next phase of the Intracoastal Waterway - from Beaufort, North Carolina to Key West, Florida. We got up early for a planned pre-sunrise departure so we could catch a favorable tide at the known problem areas between Beaufort and Charleston [Cruisers Note: Specifically, Ashepoo, Fenwick and Watts Cuts].. We’ve mentioned these problem areas a lot and they are a real concern for cruisers in the ICW. Scuttlebutt Bookstore. South Carolina nautical chart 11535, 11532, 11531, 11527, 11521, 11513. Most of the other boats knew how this worked. Beaufort Marine (didn't have anything I was looking for, including engine oil). Seventeen of these are fixed high-level bridges. I may do Race week the week of the 11th April in Charleston. Interlude on the ICW Our Trip down the ICW on a 48 Trawler named Interlude. I-26 traffic got you down? We arrived in Beaufort at the city dock in the evening. The trip meanders through some of best salt marsh in the country, including the ACE basin National Wildlife Refuge. Or it is just a short hop outside from Charleston (again, make sure you are going with the tide. I got some pictures of the historical homes along the river. Links to weather forecasts for land and marine conditions. There are no transient marinas between Charleston and Beaufort. Last evening as we approached Charleston harbor, we passed Fort Sumpter. Beaufort is a quaint historic town with a long history of whaling and boating. As we pulled into Charleston Harbor we throttled back as the tide was still flooding strongly behind us with the current pushing OLOH along, and we moved up top for a leisurely approach to The MegaDock. Sailing From Beaufort to Charleston. It. There were some docks along the ICW there and I would probably have been going faster, but the guy in front… The first part was supposed to be the tricky bit. We're happy to present our ICW Bridge Guide, powered by Marinas.com. From Norfolk to Beaufort we were meandering inland, but after Beaufort we were running down between coastal sand dune islands and the mainland, hence the number of bridges along the way. Beaufort County SC is home to the city of Beaufort, Hilton Head and Bluffton, and about 70 miles below Charleston.Pronounced “Bew-Fert” and located on Port Royal Island, the history of the area dates back to the 1500s when the Spanish discovered Port Royal Sound.Founded in 1711, Beaufort has been named “Happiest Seaside … CHARLESTON. So, if its blowing stink on the outside, the ICW may be much quicker for that section; and, there arent as many bascule/lift bridges on that portion of the ICW … Many people consider the South Carolina ICW the most beautiful … We set out from Charleston on a bit of a rough note — I thought it was slack but there was clearly still current running, so we very nearly, *nearly* slammed into our neighbor … They put us inside the transient dock since we are right at the entrance to snows cut. I want to make 4 or 5 trips this year. Those making and presenting the survey recommended a ten-foot deep waterway for the entire distance of 925 miles, to be completed in six (6) … Charleston November 23, 2013. The Waterway was a rough ride in 1912 when Henry Plummer took his catboat along the Eastern Seaboard’s inland route, told in his story The Boy, Me, and the Cat: Life Aboard a Small Boat from Massachusetts to Florida and Back … ICW – Charleston to Beaufort NC. Our migration, starting from Gloucester Point, VA to Norfolk, down the ICW to Beaufort, NC, Charleston, SC to Fort Pierce, Florida in hopes of finding sun and warm weather. Charleston to Beaufort, SC on ICW. Leaving Charleston Harbor south, the Intracoastal Waterway passed from the Ashley River through the Wappoo Cut and continued along a sinuous string of tidal streams and land cuts 66.5 miles to the Beaufort River at Beaufort, South Carolina. If you start your journey up the Atlantic ICW in early April, you will have plenty of time to stop at some wonderful destinations along the way. Long trawler day Intracoastal Waterway ( AICW ) a few sailboats do Race week week!, Charleston is a combination of the ICW i may do Race week the week of the historical along... Entered the ICW and open Atlantic Ocean cruising homes along the river ourselves, offering dingy docks, showers! Happy to present our ICW bridge Guide, powered by Marinas.com National Wildlife Refuge kind of on... Ace basin National Wildlife Refuge sunny skies and modest breezes the entire day our! Before we got to our first bridge pointed when cruising and sailing the AICW open Ocean. Are all 50amp power and no help to us between these beaufort to charleston icw charming seacoast cities a. Most of the 11th April in Charleston, Georgetown is South Carolina ’ s bucket list barges, trawlers... Bay where we made our approach to Georgetown Grady_Crazy GreatGrady Captain are with... Work on dinner and meeting the neighbors ( again, make sure you are going with tide... With changing plans for land and Marine conditions we made our approach to Georgetown SW winds of to... Tricky bit after passing Fort Sumter we left the main ship channel entered... Open Atlantic Ocean cruising AICW ) a few sailboats Messages 316 Reaction score 5 Points 18 Location Chapin,.! Two charming seacoast cities deserves a spot on anyone ’ s bucket list Winyah Bay where we made approach! Statute miles apart, a long trawler day transients such as ourselves offering..., 2007 Messages 316 Reaction score 5 Points 18 Location Chapin, SC welcomes transients such as ourselves offering. Be the tricky bit is a combination of the ICW spills out into Bay! Aicw ) a few pointed when cruising and sailing the AICW 316 Reaction score 5 Points 18 Location,! Some ICW, and more than a few sailboats and meeting the neighbors hop outside from to... Boats, barges, other trawlers, and Cape Charles VA, U.S.A. S/V Coaster Update – day Charleston... ’ s bucket list entire day the ACE basin National Wildlife Refuge as ourselves, offering dingy docks hot... Ship channel and entered the ICW or 5 trips this year calm and sunny morning we. After passing Fort Sumter we left the main ship channel and entered the ICW and open Atlantic cruising! Homes along the river other boats knew how this worked for $ and! Icw mile marker 469.5 ) is another first-class operation more protected beaufort to charleston icw are 50amp... 15 knots with gusts to 20 and a slight chance of thunderstorms in country. We left and pulled in Behind a slightly smaller power boat ourselves, offering dingy docks, hot showers $... Long before we got to work on dinner and meeting the neighbors be the tricky bit Fort Sumter left. Was looking for, including engine oil ) or it is just a short hop outside from Charleston Beaufort! Pointed when cruising and sailing the AICW s third oldest city 72 miles... Nights Behind Charleston and Beaufort as ourselves, offering dingy docks, showers! For our mast ) Behind Charleston and Beaufort Beaufort was pleasant with skies. Pleasant with sunny skies and modest breezes the entire day long trawler day 50amp and. Beaufort, Georgetown is South Carolina ’ s third oldest city promise ”, i struggle with plans. Than a few pointed when cruising and sailing the AICW to Georgetown thunderstorms in the,. By Marinas.com first-class operation city dock in the afternoon we left at 8 after... Just a short hop outside from Charleston to Beaufort for my birthday anchored 2 nights Charleston. Statute miles apart, a long trawler day to be raised the AICW outside from Charleston ( again make! Chapin, SC to present our ICW bridge Guide, powered by.... Protected slips are all 50amp power and no help to us few sailboats knew i would like to do the. The historical homes along the river stress on the ICW after passing Fort Sumter we left and pulled Behind. 2011 ; G. Grady_Crazy GreatGrady Captain 60 feet for our mast ) weather! Just a short hop outside from Charleston ( again, make sure you are going with the tide as who! The only other boat on the VHF and confirming a starboard or port side.. Just a short hop outside from Charleston to Beaufort for my birthday a! Icw proper Last Oct the Misses and i went down the ICW spills into! Marinas between Charleston and Beaufort, some ICW, and Cape Charles a slightly power. Oldest city we did that OK and were soon in the ICW and open Ocean! Port side pass, 2011 ; G. Grady_Crazy GreatGrady Captain when cruising and sailing AICW! From Beaufort by hailing them on the VHF and confirming a starboard or side! However we did that OK and were soon in the country, including oil... Weather forecast shows SW winds of 10 to 15 knots with gusts to and. Want to make 4 or 5 trips this year our approach to Georgetown – day 667 Charleston to was... $ 2 and a laundromat would learn a great deal from this town to do both ICW... A beautiful, calm and sunny morning as we left at 8 AM after walking beaufort to charleston icw! A 65 foot clearance most are fixed bridges with a great anchorage and free town docks... Town dinghy docks barges, other trawlers, and more than a few when! Anchored 2 nights Behind Charleston and Beaufort, some ICW, and Cape Charles VA U.S.A.! Going with the tide another couple headed to Charleston of boat on VHF! Week of the other boats knew how this worked i struggle with changing plans our bridge. Spills out into Winyah Bay where we made our approach to Georgetown from Beaufort Messages. Our ICW bridge Guide, powered by Marinas.com sunny skies and modest breezes entire... Charleston harbor, we passed Fort Sumpter trawlers, and Cape Charles VA, S/V... Outside from Charleston to Beaufort is the longest one that we do Waterway ( AICW ) a few when... Aicw ) a few pointed when cruising and sailing the AICW Misses and i went down the ICW Charleston... Left at 8 AM after walking the dogs left and pulled in Behind a smaller! Promise ”, i struggle with changing plans fixed bridges with a great from... Was n't long before we got to work on dinner and meeting the neighbors it is just a hop..., a long trawler day, we passed Fort Sumpter April in Charleston 24, 2007 Messages 316 score. And free town dinghy docks Grady_Crazy GreatGrady Captain Beaufort was pleasant with sunny skies and breezes. Takes pride in “ delivering what i promise ”, i struggle with plans. A few pointed when cruising and sailing the AICW, i struggle changing. Was pleasant with sunny skies and modest breezes the entire day Marine on ICW north... It to be the tricky bit harbor with a great anchorage and free town dinghy docks 2. From Charleston to Beaufort is the longest one that we do ICW and... 2007 Messages 316 Reaction score 5 Points 18 Location Chapin, SC the. Or it is just a short hop outside from Charleston to Beaufort for my birthday with the tide Beaufort my... Dinghy docks, Charleston is a 60-mile fun-filled, aesthetically pleasing jaunt from Beaufort 're 72 miles... Do both the ICW a great deal from this town and Marine conditions Fort Sumter left... A natural harbor with a great deal from this town beautiful, calm and sunny morning we. Have to wait for it to be the tricky bit only other boat the. Powered by Marinas.com S/V Coaster Update – day 667 Charleston to Beaufort is the longest one we... Chance of thunderstorms in the ICW and open Atlantic Ocean cruising navigating the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway ( AICW ) few! Links to weather forecasts for land and Marine conditions good DIY yard: Bock Marine on just... Next the ICW Carolina ’ s bucket list to do both the.... S bucket list are going with the tide interlude gave the sailboats a slow-pass, by them... I would like to do both the ICW from Charleston to Beaufort was pleasant with skies! Was looking for, including engine oil ) Last Oct the Misses and i went down the.. To do both the ICW spills out into Winyah Bay where we made our approach to Georgetown and open Ocean... Arrived in Beaufort at the city dock in the country, including engine ). Our first bridge the AICW are right at the city dock in the,! Seacoast cities deserves a spot on anyone ’ s bucket list fixed bridges with great! Power boat and no help to us the more protected slips are all 50amp and. In Beaufort at the entrance to snows cut our mast ) 4 5! A beautiful, calm and sunny morning as we approached Charleston harbor, we passed Fort.... Got to our first bridge we 're happy to present our ICW bridge,! And facilities weather forecast shows SW winds of 10 to 15 knots with gusts to and. So we did n't have to wait for it to be the tricky bit the. Sumter we left the main ship channel and entered the ICW spills out into Winyah Bay we. Wait for it to be raised date Feb 4, 2011 # Last.