Contributed by Chris Walker, Principal & Broker
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Becoming a homeowner on Hilton Head Island has wonderful benefits that obviously include beautiful beaches, exceptional golf and tennis facilities and exceptional community activities. One of the most enjoyable activities is hitting the water on a boat and enjoying all of the surrounding areas close to Hilton Head Island.
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1. Options to Get Out on the Water
Let’s start with a few options you have for getting out on the water. You can obviously choose to buy your own boat and choose to trailer it back and forth to the water or store it at one of the many marinas the island has to offer.
Another, lesser know but super convenient option is becoming part of a boat club. The Freedom Boat Club is located at Palmetto Bay and Skull Creek marinas. The Club gives you access to over 60 vessels at any given time for you to use and enjoy but without the need to maintain and store your own boat. This is an excellent option for those who just want access to the water but not own a craft themselves.
2. Storing Your Boat
If you have or want to buy your own vessel, then there are a number of places you can look at to store/keep it. Here is a list of marinas and if they are slip only storage or offer dry stack storage. Of course, all are subject to availability.
* = Must be property owner in community |
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| MARINA/LOCATION | SLIPS | DRY STACK SOTRAGE | ||
| Skull Creek Marina * | Yes | No | ||
| Skull Creek Boathouse | No | Yes | ||
| Windmill Harbour | Yes | No | ||
| Hilton Head Harbor | Yes | No | ||
| Broad Creek Marina | Yes | Yes | ||
| Palmetto Bay Marina | Yes | No | ||
| Harbourtown Marina | Yes | No | ||
| South Beach Marina | Yes | No | ||
| Shelter Cove Marina | Yes | No | ||
| Wexford Marina * | Yes | No | ||
| Moss Creek Marina * | Yes | No | ||
3. Where to Go and What to See
Owning your own or being part of a boat club on Hilton Head Island gives you access to so many wonderful things to do and places to see. You can boat from one marina to the other and stop off for a nice lunch or dinner at places like Harbourtown or Skull Creek restaurants, Palmetto Bluff or venture into downtown Bluffton or Beaufort’s waterfront.
You can venture over to Daufuskie Island and enjoy the day at Freeport Marina and even rent golf carts to tool around the island for the day. Take a day trip to Savannah and dock right up to River Street or venture out at low tide and go beach your boat on the “redneck riviera of the south” at the May River sand bar. Enjoy incredible views along the many waterways that connect all of these places via the many marsh inlets that are boat friendly.
If you are even more adventurous you can take overnight trips along the intercoastal waterway up to Charleston and beyond, or head south and visit the Georgia and Florida coastlines, as well.
Beyond leisure and sunset cruises you will have access to some of the best fishing, crabbing and oystering around. Stay inshore and fish for Cobia, Founder, Red Fish and Trout. Head offshore to several manmade reefs to catch Seabass, Mackerel, Red Fish and much more. If you want to have an exciting fishing trip, head over to the Port Royal Sound which is the #1 breeding ground for Black Tip Sharks in the world.
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Boating around Hilton Head Island is an exceptional extension to the fabulous lifestyle of living in such an incredible place to call home. Enjoy!
