Keeping a boat at Kiawah

We’re going to Kiawah for Thanksgiving week and want to take the boat. It’s a 17 ft. Sundance Flicker flats boat so it’s not real big. I don’t know if they’ll allow it to be kept at the house we’re renting. Rental co. couldn’t say for sure.

Any one know a good place to keep it as plan B? Is Bohicket Marina an option?

Also, any one know of a good launch near by?

Thanks.

You will need access to Rhetts Bluff or Eagle’s Nest to launch your boat on Kiawah. The landings are locked so you need a key pass to get in. There are no public launch sites on the island.

Thanks for the help Saltfisher.

Do you fish in the area?

Any advice for that time of year?

Yes, I am one of the resort guides there. Live shrimp will work to make sure you catch something. Bottom fish on low water, use floats on high tide along the banks. Inlets are good for sharks.

I was out there a couple weekends ago.

I kept telling my wife that I should have brought a kayak and a fishing pole.

Of course, she just rolled her eyes at me since we were there for our anniversary. :face_with_head_bandage:

I told her that’s what she gets for marrying a fisherman. :smiley:

Semper Fi
18’ Sterling
115 Yamaha
Big Ugly Homemade Blue Push Pole

I appreciate the tip Saltfisher. I’ve fished there during July from my kayaks but didn’t catch a lot. A few small redfish, trout & flounder. I plan to bring the yaks again but mainly for paddling and do the fishing from my boat. It looks like there’s a launch at the Kiawah place just outside the security gate. I assume that it’s private or part of the resort. Is there any way to launch there?

Do you do trips that time of year? Would you consider showing me around on my boat? I will be very honest. I won’t ask for or steal your spots but would appreciate some help in learning to pick out potential spots on my own. I live in Aiken and don’t make it to the coast very often. Used to go about once or twice a year but have been about 4 times this year since I bought the boat.

Saltfisher’s a busy guy, if he goes in your boat, be ready for some action! You’re talking about Mingo Point its a small launch fee bit only for non motor boats. I’d suggest calling kiawah themselves and seeing about getting the code to the ramp, but don’t be too optimistic. Closest ramp driving from kiawah is probably Limehouse, closest to access the kiawah river is sol legare

14’ Skiff-“Redfish Reaper”

Thanks for the help Yakman. I will look at my Top Spot maps and satellite maps online.

I think there is a way to launch there. I got married on Kiawah 12 years ago and a friend of mine brought his boat down. He did launch it from Kiwah somehow, I’m not sure (I was a little busy that week!). As Yakman suggested, call the resort management and see what options you have.

The only way you can keep your boat at the house is to have a garage or somewhere to hide it from view. If it’s in the driveway they will harass you. As far as the ramp at Rhett’s bluff goes, I’m not sure what the policy with renters is, but it is possible to get a temporary day pass. I think you call the main gate for that.

Thanks Bellyup. The house we are renting doesn’t have a garage but looks pretty secluded on google maps.

No trailers or boats allowed outside at Kiawah, have to be garaged. You could probably rent a slip at Bohicket and they can put it in for you with the lift. There’s also a storage area down the road from Bohicket that maybe be able to work something out. Tides at Kiawah and their boat area move pretty good so likely two people needed to launch.

220 Outrage
250 Verado

quote:
Originally posted by chasvalve

No trailers or boats allowed outside at Kiawah, have to be garaged. You could probably rent a slip at Bohicket and they can put it in for you with the lift. There’s also a storage area down the road from Bohicket that maybe be able to work something out. Tides at Kiawah and their boat area move pretty good so likely two people needed to launch.

220 Outrage
250 Verado


Listen to this guy. They don't mess around with this. I know from experience. It's an HOA on steroids.

Thanks–(property owner for 10+ years at Kiawah) great place but they got thier rules!

220 Outrage
250 Verado

you can launch a kayak at mingo pt if you have a vehicle pass from the nature center,no motorboats can be launched there if you are not an employee.

Thanks for all the help. We stayed there a week in the summer of 2008 and I drove in w/ my kayaks on a really small trailer. The guy at the gate asked if it would be out of sight and I said yes in the parking under the place we stayed in. He waved us on no problem. I hadn’t checked the rules. Sounds like they’re tighter than I thought. Seems like the off season might be a little more lax.

If you’re staying in one of the houses on stilts to the right before the first gate then you can probably pull off hiding a small boat under the house (back it in all the way). I used to live in one of those and did it fairly frequently without any trouble. I was more referring to leaving it in the driveway. You won’t go long without a ticket doing that.