Set Your Course for Luxury on the Lowcountry Coast
Where Boating Isn’t a Hobby. It’s a Lifestyle.
If life in the Lowcountry has a soundtrack, it’s the hum of an outboard at idle and the clink of a dock line dropping onto a cleat. Around here, boating isn’t just something you do on the weekends. It shapes how you live, play, gather, and explore. From Hilton Head Island to Bluffton and Beaufort, our waterways weave a salty thread through the region’s luxury lifestyle and real estate market.
And if you needed one more nudge to embrace life on the water, here you go: US Harbors recently recognized Hilton Head’s Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina as the “Best Harbour in the Southeast.” Not too shabby for our little corner of the coast.
Whether you’re chasing inshore reds at sunrise, cruising to dinner, or just floating the Broad Creek with a cooler and no plan at all, this is your guide to the marinas and communities that make Lowcountry boating legendary.
Where to Float Your Boat
Public and private harbors that keep the Lowcountry’s boating scene running like a well-tuned Yamaha.
The Boathouse – Hilton Head | Public
If convenience is your love language, The Boathouse on Squire Pope Road is your place. Home to the island’s largest dry stack marina, it offers storage for 400 boats and a service experience that borders on concierge. Call ahead, and your boat is fueled, launched, and waiting. They’re also a certified Yamaha Service Center and carry big-name brands like Grady-White, Sea Hunt, Parker, G3, Hurricane, and SunCatcher. Brokerage? Yep, they’ve got that too.
Fun fact: You can get fiberglass and paint work done without leaving the island. Worth its weight in gel coat.
Broad Creek Marina – Hilton Head | Public
The island’s newest marina sits in a peaceful curve of Broad Creek and is fresh off a multi-million-dollar renovation. With 53 wet slips up to 55 feet, two slips for vessels up to 100 feet, and dry storage for boats up to 35 feet, this marina is ideal for those who want modern amenities without losing the Lowcountry’s natural serenity.
On-site repairs, an efficient launch crew, and a calm setting make it a favorite for locals who want easy access to the Atlantic with none of the chaos.
Hampton Lake – Bluffton | Private
Freshwater boating with resort vibes. Hampton Lake’s 165-acre lake winds through seven miles of navigable waterways where lakefront homes have backyard docks. Doc’s Boathouse offers kayaks, canoes, Duffy boats, Sun Trackers, and Carolina Skiffs for members. Boats up to 22 feet with 25-hp motors are welcome.
Fun fact: The community has earned multiple Best in American Living Awards, including “Best Community in America.”
Hilton Head Plantation – Hilton Head | Public
With nearly 4,000 acres bordering Port Royal Sound and the Intracoastal Waterway, Hilton Head Plantation delivers serious boating cred. Skull Creek Marina sits right on deep water and accommodates boats up to 200 feet. Translation: yacht owners, you’re covered.
Long Cove Club – Hilton Head | Private
Tucked along Broad Creek, Long Cove’s deep-water marina gives residents quick access to Calibogue Sound. This intimate, luxury community is known for its championship golf and tennis, but the boating is equally top tier. Bonus: you float right past Palmetto Bay Marina on your way out.
Moss Creek – Bluffton | Private
The last stop before the bridge to Hilton Head, Moss Creek feels tucked away but offers quick access to Mackey Creek and Port Royal Sound. Members enjoy boating, Fazio golf courses, an equestrian center, and nature preserves. Call it the best of both worlds.
Palmetto Bay Marina – Hilton Head | Public
A longtime island staple, Palmetto Bay Marina has been freshened up with new docks, restrooms, fueling stations, and waterfront hangout areas. Half a mile from the Intracoastal Waterway, it can accommodate boats up to 40 meters. This is your launchpad for dolphin cruises, fishing charters, or a quick ride to the sandbar.
Palmetto Bluff – Bluffton | Private
With 32 miles of waterfront along the May, Cooper, and New rivers, Palmetto Bluff is a boater’s dream. Wilson Landing is the community’s marina hub, offering fuel, slip rentals, and the quintessential Bluff experience: boats tied up beneath hundred-year-old oaks. Luxury, but relaxed.
Sea Pines Resort – Hilton Head | Public
Home to the famous Harbour Town Lighthouse, Sea Pines is the heartbeat of Hilton Head’s boating scene. The Yacht Harbour handles everything from small runabouts to 100-foot yachts. South Beach Marina brings the charm of a casual seaside village with tons of charters and rental options.
Fun fact: Sea Pines was the island’s first major yachting hub and still sets the tone.
Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina – Hilton Head | Public
The reigning star of the Southeast. Shelter Cove blends Mediterranean architecture with year-round dining, shopping, music, and waterfront activity. Both charters and private vessels share the slips, giving the marina a lively feel. If you're the type who likes a side of live music with your dock lines, this is your spot.
Wexford – Hilton Head | Private
One of only two communities on Hilton Head with a lock-controlled harbor maintaining a consistent 8-foot water level. Wexford’s 37-acre inland harbor offers 280 slips, 138 located behind private homes. It’s a certified South Carolina Clean Marina and a past winner for “Best for Boating” in LINKS Magazine.
Fun fact: You can back your boat into your backyard. No big deal.
Windmill Harbour – Hilton Head | Public
Located on Calibogue Sound, Windmill Harbour features a lock system similar to Wexford, protecting its 250-slip harbor from tides and currents. It’s also home to the South Carolina Yacht Club.
Fun fact: The lock system means smooth docking even on wild tide days.
Why Boating Shapes Lowcountry Real Estate
Waterfront living isn’t just a selling point here. It’s a way of life. Buyers look for private docks, quick access to deep water, community marinas, and views that make you forget your email password. From Hilton Head homes for sale with deep-water lots to Bluffton homes for sale in lake communities to Beaufort homes for sale near the Intracoastal, boating access is a major driver in the Lowcountry market.
Homes close to marinas or with slip options often command premium demand, and it’s easy to see why. Out here, your “commute” might be a sunset cruise.
Ready to Find a Home That Moves With the Tide?
Whether you’re dreaming of Hilton Head real estate with a dock, Bluffton real estate with lake access, or Beaufort real estate with river frontage, our coastline is ready when you are. And so are we.
