Kayak Trails of the Waccamaw River - Sandy Island Landing

The map shown for this post, is showing all 6 trails that start at this landing put together. Review the post below to see the details of trails. You will also see a hiking trail that you can stop and do while kayaking.

Sandy Island Landing is the primary landing that is used by the Sandy Island residents and is managed by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Sandy Island can only be accessed via a boat. There is a School Bus boat that is used to ferry people to and from the island. The city bus also stops at the landing to take residents to the cities in the area.

The landing has a 1 soft unimproved launch area with a dock to tie up to. This part of the river is considered tidal. Use this link to see the times for the tides. https://www.weatherforyou.com/.../sandy+island+school-sc...
The landing is about 124 miles from the dam according to the Waccamaw River Blue Trail.

The address is Pawleys Island, SC 29585. Here is a Google map link for the landing. https://www.google.com/.../data=!4m6!3m5...
I like taking kayak trips from this landing because it has access so many different waterways. There is a lot of exploring that can be done from this landing. This area is affected by the tides. Use this link to review the tides before planning your trip. https://tideking.com/.../Georgetown-County/Sandy-Island/

Use this link to find out more about the island. https://www.nature.org/.../places.../sandy-island-preserve/

The landing has a large parking lot, but parking can be limited because the residents take a lot of them up. When the parking lot is full, you park on the side of the road.

There is a Porta-Potty onsite.

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This paddle is a fun 14.6 miles paddle going through multiple creeks, with a great lunch/rest stop in the middle of the paddle.

It starts at Sandy Island and goes up the Waccamaw River. When the paddlers come out of the Sandy Island channel, they crossed over to the other side of the river and went upriver.

They pass Sandhole creek along the way. There is another paddle mentioned that explores Sandhole Creek on this page, in another post..

They continue upriver and bypasses the opening of Black Creek, which they will come down later. The paddlers go a little further into a waterway the cuts back over to the middle of Black Creek. Once they hit Black Creek they turn up Black Creek towards White Creek.

The paddlers go all the way up White Creek until they hit Waccamaw River. If you wanted to cut 1 1/2 miles of your paddle or if you are hungry, this is a good place to turn downriver to Wacca Wache Marine to enjoy a good meal.

Here the paddlers turn left into Vaux Creek to circle around Vaux Island. Once they finish the circle they headed to the Wacca Wache Marina.

Here is a link to the restaurant. https://waccawachemarina.com/walters-on-the-waterway/

When the paddlers left Wacca Wache Marina, they crossover over the top of Richmond Island to Cow House Creek and head down the creek and look for 4 x 4 wooden post to watch for on the right hand side that marks the entrance to the cut through, that cuts Laurel Hill Island in half, and it will take you back over to White Creek.

This waterway is not seen on google maps, so some people do not know about it. When arriving at White Creek, turn left to go down the creek to Black Creek. After exiting Black Creek, the paddlers then head back to Sandy Island landing.

A 2nd trail has been added to this post shows a shorter paddle, but similar to the first paddle. It is only 10.7 miles long.

If you display the image of the trail on a laptop screen and then scan the QR Code on the map with a smart phone and the AllTrails App is on the phone, the AllTrails map will be displayed on the phone and you will be able to navigate the trail using the app.

If you do not have the app on the smart phone, it will bring the map up via the AllTrails website.

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This trip can be used as the last section on the Waccamaw River. It is about 16 miles and takes about 5 hours, when you are not fighting the tide. When you see the Georgetown Bridge, it may seem like you are close, but you still have 5 miles to get to the bridge.
Because this is a point to point trip. Vehicles would need to be shuttled to the East Bay Public Ramp. Use this link to see the shuttle map. https://www.google.com/.../data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5...
This trip could be modified to go to Hagley Land and back. That would be about 12 miles. But you would want to arrive at Hagley Landing just before low tide and then come back with the rising tide.

Or if you make it a point to point to Hagley Landing it is a 6 mile trip and will take about 2 hours. Use this link for the shuttle map. https://www.google.com/.../data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5...

Use this link to check the water level near Pawleys Island https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/021108125/ =00065&period=P7D&showMedian=false

Use this link to get the tide times. https://tideking.com/.../Georgetown-County/Sandy-Island/

If you display the image of the trail on a laptop screen and then scan the QR Code on the map with a smart phone and the AllTrails App is on the phone, the AllTrails map will be displayed on the phone and you will be able to navigate the trail using the app.

If you do not have the app on the smart phone, it will bring the map up via the AllTrails website.

Click here to go back to Kayak Trails of the Waccamaw River https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558969824815

This trip goes to the Hasty Point Plantation. This area was opened up to the public in 2023. I enjoy going to here from Sandy Island because of so many different routes can be used to get there and back. This trip was 16 miles and took about 5 1/2 hours moving time.

One of the maps shown is to show you the mileage during the trip. I am showing this so that if you wanted to paddle a shorter version of this trip, you could use the map to decide where you may want to turn around.

The other map just shows some key locations along the way.

When the paddlers exit out of the Sandy Island Landing channel, they turn downriver to the opening of the Thoroughfare Creek. Then they turn left up the Guendalose Creek. They follow Guendalose Creek until they hit a cut over that crosses over Thoroughfare Creek to the opening of Cotter Creek. They go up Cotter Creek to another cutover back to Thoroughfare Creek. When they reach the Great P*e Dee River, they turn upriver to see Hasty Point on the left and stop there

When they leave Hasty Point they go downriver to the opening of Guendalose Creek on the left. They follow the creek to the end and head back to Sandy Island Landing via the bottom of the Thoroughfare Creek.

If you decide to start or stop your trip at the plantation, you will want to use wheels to transport your kayak. The parking lot is big, but it is a long distance from the landing it self.

Use these links to find out more about Hasty Point Plantation.
https://south-carolina-plantations.com/.../hasty-point.html
https://www.rootsandrecall.com/.../hasty-point-plantation/
https://www.wmbfnews.com/.../waccamaw-wildlife-refuge.../

Use this link to check the water level near Pawleys Island https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/021108125/ =00065&period=P7D&showMedian=false

If you display the image of the trail on a laptop screen and then scan the QR Code on the map with a smart phone and the AllTrails App is on the phone, the AllTrails map will be displayed on the phone and you will be able to navigate the trail using the app.

If you do not have the app on the smart phone, it will bring the map up via the AllTrails website.

Click here to go back to Kayak Trails of the Waccamaw River https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558969824815

This paddle is a short paddle that heads west of Sandy Island and goes up Guendalose Creek and loops back down Thoroughfare Creek and heads back to Sandy Island Landing. You will see that just off of Thoroughfare Creek it meanders around past some of the houses on Sandy Island. In a post further down you will see a hiking trail just off of Thoroughfare Creek close to the houses where you can stop and hike a small trail.

Click this link to bring up a Relive video of the paddle. https://www.relive.cc/view/vKv2gRdkM4O

Another paddle and hike trail has been added to this post. The hiking trail mentioned earlier in this post was paddled to and hiked and then paddled bake to Sandy Island Landing.

Relive version
https://www.relive.com/view/vJOKj2M475v

Use this link to check the water level near Pawleys Island https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/021108125/ =00065&period=P7D&showMedian=false

If you display the image of the trail on a laptop screen and then scan the QR Code on the map with a smart phone and the AllTrails App is on the phone, the AllTrails map will be displayed on the phone and you will be able to navigate the trail using the app.

If you do not have the app on the smart phone, it will bring the map up via the AllTrails website.

Click here to go back to Kayak Trails of the Waccamaw River https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558969824815

This trail leaves Sandy Island and goes down river. The location of the markers are put on the map to help the paddle know where they are on the river.

Click on this link to see a Relive video of the paddle. https://www.relive.cc/view/vPOp1BEgkR6

One of the maps, I call my fun map where I show various wildlife that was seen along the way. I also show markers that are past during the paddle and other sites along the way.

The other map shows the mileage where if you wanted a shorter paddle, you can decide where not to paddle.

On the way down river, the Safe Harbor is visited. It appears to be a safe location to have a marina. You will also see how the Brookgreen Sanctuary is blocked off.

Just before getting to the Thoroughfare Creek an extension is paddled up and a couple of gators were seen. After paddling back down the extension and passing the opening of Thoroughfare Creek, the floating hot dog stand is seen.

While continuing down the Waccamaw River, multiple gators and Egret families may be seen. Then turn up Squirrel Creek towards Bullins Creek.

After turning around, the trail goes across the river and up an extension of the Waccamaw River. While paddling up the extension a gator was seen by a old fence. I have named the gator the gate keeper.

The paddle was cut short because of rain and goes directly back to Sandy Island Landing.

Another trail has been added that is 10.1 miles long. It leaves Sandy Island Landing and heads downriver to Squirrel Creek. Then goes up Bullins Creek. The trail makes its way to Guendalose Creek and keeps going up creek to Thoroughfare Creek. The trail then goes down the creek until it reaches Waccamaw River and goes back to Sandy Island Landing.

Use this link to check the water level near Pawleys Island https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/021108125/ =00065&period=P7D&showMedian=false

If you display the image of the trail on a laptop screen and then scan the QR Code on the map with a smart phone and the AllTrails App is on the phone, the AllTrails map will be displayed on the phone and you will be able to navigate the trail using the app.

If you do not have the app on the smart phone, it will bring the map up via the AllTrails website.

Click here to go back to Kayak Trails of the Waccamaw River https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558969824815

This trail leaves Sandy Island and goes upriver and explores Sandhole Creek. The location of the markers are put on the map to help the paddle know where they are on the river.

Click on the link to see a Relive video of the paddle. https://www.relive.cc/view/vKv2nB2VN4v

One of the maps, I call my fun map where I show various wildlife that was seen along the way. I also show markers that are past during the paddle and other sites along the way.

The other map shows the mileage where if you wanted a shorter paddle, you can decide where not to paddle.

This paddle was done when the water was very low. You will be able to go further up the creeks when the water level is at it's average level.

Use this link to check the water level near Pawleys Island https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/021108125/ =00065&period=P7D&showMedian=false

If you display the image of the trail on a laptop screen and then scan the QR Code on the map with a smart phone and the AllTrails App is on the phone, the AllTrails map will be displayed on the phone and you will be able to navigate the trail using the app.

If you do not have the app on the smart phone, it will bring the map up via the AllTrails website.

Click here to go back to Kayak Trails of the Waccamaw River https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558969824815

This a kayak trail actual starts from Enterprise Landing. This trail can be used to go upstream past Bucksport Marina and close to Wacca Wache Marina. This is posted here to give you an idea if you wanted to paddle upriver. Wacca Wache Marina is about 5 miles upriver. Bucksport is about 12 miles. You do want to pay attention to the tides to decide when to go. The current is fairly strong here.

Use this link to check the water level near Pawleys Island https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/021108125/ =00065&period=P7D&showMedian=false

Use this link for the forecasted tides. https://www.tide-forecast.com/locations/Wachesaw-Landing-Waccamaw-River-South-Carolina/tides/latest #:~:text=Today%27s%20tide%20times%20for%20Wachesaw%20Landing%2C%20Waccamaw%20River%2C,is%20at%206%3A43am%20and%20sunset%20is%20at%207%3A53pm

If you display the image of the trail on a laptop screen and then scan the QR Code on the map with a smart phone and the AllTrails App is on the phone, the AllTrails map will be displayed on the phone and you will be able to navigate the trail using the app.

If you do not have the app on the smart phone, it will bring the map up via the AllTrails website.

Click here to go back to Kayak Trails of the Waccamaw River https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558969824815

This is actually a hiking trail that you can stop at while paddling Thoroughfare Creek past Sandy Island. It is a trail that loaded on the AllTrails website. I haven't gone on it yet, but I plan on it soon.

Use this link to check the water level near Pawleys Island https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/021108125/ =00065&period=P7D&showMedian=false

If you display the image of the trail on a laptop screen and then scan the QR Code on the map with a smart phone and the AllTrails App is on the phone, the AllTrails map will be displayed on the phone and you will be able to navigate the trail using the app.

If you do not have the app on the smart phone, it will bring the map up via the AllTrails website.

Click here to go back to Kayak Trails of the Waccamaw River https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558969824815