We’re planning a 3 day boat trip down the Pee Dee river leaving from Darlington, through Georgetown, Charleston, and Cooper River to end at our campsite at Elliots Landing on lake Marion. We are traveling by pontoon boat. I plan to camp the 1st night somewhere around highway 701 on the Pee Dee. Hopefully we can find a sandbar or a high bank. Our trip is going to be about 275 miles traveling about 90 miles per day. The second leg of our trip will put us in the Isle of Palms Sullivans Island area. I am not familiar at all with this area. Is there somewhere in that area that we can beach the boat and camp for the night? Looks like a couple of beaches near the 517 bridge. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. We plan to be in that area the evening of May 31st.
Capers Island comes up a lot when folks talk about camping the coast. I don’t know anything about it nor do I know if its legal. Its place to start though. You may want to talk to the guys at the Sewee Outpost.
Buck Hall is probably the best “campground” in the area, and yes you will be going right by it, but it is more of a car camping destination. Capers is also a good and more rustic option, with permit, but be aware of the tide swings between 6-8 feet. Need to be prepared for that or you may lose the boat, or be stranded on dry ground for a few hours. Low tide around noon on May 31.
Yeah, I had considered Buck Hall. Is there anywhere to dock the boat overnight at Buck Hall? It looks like Capers has a boat dock but it’s a mile away from the campsites. I have also put some thought into the tide swing. 1 thought I had was to attach the boat anchor to my sleeping cot so if it started to float away it would drag me with it. I have requested a camping permit for Capers. I may or may not use it if I get it. They may be full already?
Thanks for all of the advice. Buck Hall is fully booked. They do have 2 walk up sites available that I will check on when we get there. I did receive a permit to camp on Capers Island. Might not be able to sleep much though depending on the tide cycle. We definitely don’t want to end up beaching a 24ft pontoon. The lady that issues the permits says the boat dock at Capers were destroyed by the storms.
Looks like high tide on 31 MAY is around 7pm (5.7), if you get there around then you should anchor up right near the beach and let it go dry overnight, low is around 1 am. The next high tide is around 7 am (4.8) on the 1st and the boat should be floating, be sure to keep it floating while you are packing up…The thought of losing the boat or being high and dry is never good, but with a low tide in the middle of the night, you should be good. Note there is a difference between the high tides of about a foot, consider that when you are anchoring up the night before.
There is some kind of construction going on drum island. Please file a float plan with a family member and don’t miss your check ins. I hope we don’t hear from you, and I mean that with the best intentions! Have a great trip!
The plan is to camp on Capers Island if we can’t get in at Buck Hall. Drum Island does not look that appealing from the pictures I’ve seen online. I thought SMAN was joking when he recommended it. Originally I’m from Marlboro county and grew up on the Pee Dee river with mosquitos. I can handle them. It’s the (**() biting flies in Georgetown that get me. Bug spray doesn’t even slow them down. Essentially our float plan is outlined right here. I will pass it along. Hopefully everything will go as planned. If I remember I will check in on here if I have reception.
you should have plenty water if the river stays like it is now, just watch for the debris, its been really bad. Also invest in a few thermacell lanterns and LOTS of of refill packs
