SailorGuides.com:
A Trailer Boat Cruising Guide to Charleston, SC
Facilities for Boaters
Being a major stop along the ICW, it's not surprising that Charleston Harbor boasts more marinas with transient facilities than many other waterways of its size. The harbor features no fewer than six public marinas with more facilities located in the nearby waterways. While a small trailerable boat will be welcome at any of them, some of the marinas do have a minimum charge (usually on the order of a 30- to 33-foot minimum) that may makes touring in a small boat less economical than other areas I've sailed. If you plan to stay overnight at a marina, check with them in advance so as to avoid any surprises when you get there.
First off is the huge Charleston Harbor Marina, located just south of the aircraft carrier Yorktown at Patriot's Point. Charleston Harbor Marina is the largest marina in South Carolina and specializes in providing a resort experience to its guests. If you'd like to spend a night or two away from your bunks, the marina grounds include a luxury hotel with two restaurants and a dockage discount is available for those who do choose to stay ashore. They feature a fuel dock that is open 24-hours and provide free pump-out service whether you are staying at the marina or not. Reservations are requested for transient docks and you can hail them on VHF channel 16 prior to your arrival.
On the other side of the Ravenel bridge, a little way up the Cooper River on the west shore, is the Cooper River Marina. The marina is operated by the Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission and accepts transients without reservations. There is no fuel dock, but pumpout is available along with a docker's bath house. They can be reached by hailing on VHF channel 16.
While not technically within the harbor itself, Toler's Cove Marina is located just past the northern entrance to the ICW behind Sullivans Island. To get there, head about a mile "north" (you will actually be headed east-northeast, but in terms of the ICW you're going north) up the ICW until just before you come to the Ben Sawyer swing bridge. The marina is located at the end of a little cove on the north shore past Jeanette Creek. Toler's Cove marina accepts transients without reservations and features a fuel dock with pumpout available to non-dockers for a $5 fee. You will also find a bath house and a small convenience store. They monitor both VHF channels 16 and 71.
At the northwest corner of the harbor, at the mouth of the Ashley River, you will find the Ripley Light Marina. The marina offers transient slips without reservation and features a docker's bath house and free pumpout. Contact them on VHF channel 16.
Across the Ashley River is the Harborage at Ashley Marina. Transient slips are available and reservations are requested but not required. The Harborage at Ashley Marina features a fuel dock and free pumpout in addition to a modern bath house and transient's lounge. They also operate a courtesy van to shuttle visitors to and from the downtown attractions and restaurants. When arriving for a transient slip, they ask that you radio them on VHF channel 16 as you approach the 56-foot fixed bridge at the mouth of the river and they will provide docking instructions.
The last transient marina in the harbor itself is Charleston City Marina, next door to the Harborage at Ashley Marina on the south side of that fixed bridge. Charleston City Marina offers transient slips with a 30-foot minimum and features a floating bathhouse and a pumpout station. The marina seems to be geared toward large and very large vessels and may not be the best choice for a small trailerable boat.
If your cruising plans call for a trip down the Stono River, there are two marinas that will be of interest to you. The first you will come to is the St. Johns Yacht Harbor, straddling both ends of the 65-foot fixed bridge a little less than a mile south of the Elliott Cut. St. Johns Yacht Harbor offers transient slips but requests an advanced reservation be made. They also feature a fuel dock with free pumpout. In addition to a bath house, they have two stores on the grounds, one selling boating gear and another offering snacks and convenience items. As of this writing (May 2010), there is no restaurant on site but they tell me that one is in the works and, when completed, they will offer free short-term dockage for those wishing to dine there. They monitor both VHF channels 16 and 71.
Take the Stono River nearly to the Atlantic Ocean and turn east up the Folly River for some world-class gunkholing opportunities. While you're there you can stop off at Mariner's Cay Marina, which is located just before a 10-foot fixed bridge near the launch ramps. Mariner's Cay offers transient slips along with a fuel dock and pumpout. There is also a convenience store and a ship's chandlery.
If you plan to cruise north up the ICW to the Isle of Palms, there is a marina on the island operated by the city government. The Isle of Palms Marina offers transient slips without reservations and features a fuel dock and pumpout available for a $5 fee. In addition to the standard bath house, the marina also features a convenience store and deli. The Morgan Creek Grill restaurant is on the premises and the marina has free short-term dockage available for those wishing to stop off for a meal. Hail them on VHF channel 16 prior to arrival for a transient dock assignment or just pull in to one of the marked restaurant slips for lunch or dinner.
