Marinas in Little River, SC

Late May through June is the best overall time to boat on Little River, the Intracoastal Waterway and Little River Inlet. Nearshore water temperatures typical of Little River rise from the low-to-mid 70s during May to around 80 and the low 80s in June. July and August reach the low-to-mid 80s, while winter water is generally near 50.

In warmer months, the local sea breeze can change winds and help trigger showers or thunderstorms, so check the marine forecast before leaving. Tide timing also matters at Little River Inlet: NOAA reports about a 5-foot mean range, a continually changing bar channel and a large sandbar near the Intracoastal Waterway junction.

Source: National Weather Service Wilmington and NOAA Office of Coast Survey, weather.gov and nauticalcharts.noaa.gov (weather.gov)

From Little River, you can cruise the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, follow the Calabash River, explore Little River itself, or use Little River Inlet to reach the Atlantic Ocean. The Intracoastal is the more sheltered choice, with milder water and Little River’s waterfront piers and marina basins. The Calabash River is a marked side channel off the waterway. For open water, Little River Inlet runs between Bird Island and Waties Island, but NOAA notes a large sandbar, a continually changing bar channel and frequently shifted buoys. Public put-ins include T. Craig Campbell Landing and Johnny Causey Landing, both on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Source: NOAA Office of Coast Survey (nauticalcharts.noaa.gov)

From Little River, popular day trips include Bird Island, Waties Island, Dunn Sound, the Calabash River waterfront and Little River Reef. Bird Island and Waties Island draw crews for uninhabited island scenery, while Dunn Sound offers a scenic cruise toward Little River Inlet. The Calabash River waterfront is the dock-and-dine choice, with waterfront restaurants that accommodate boat access. Anglers can run to Little River Reef, a buoy-marked artificial reef containing steel structures and other placed material. Together, these stops offer island views, waterfront seafood and offshore fishing.

Source: Visit Myrtle Beach (visitmyrtlebeach.com)

Yes, some recreational operators need a South Carolina boating safety certificate rather than a traditional boating license. Anyone born after July 1, 2007 must have one before operating a vessel with an engine of 10 horsepower or more, a personal watercraft, or a specialty propcraft. The rule states no separate minimum operator age; an uncertified person may operate when accompanied by a qualified adult at least 18.

Exemptions include people born on or before the cutoff, nonresidents with another state's equivalent certificate, and holders of qualifying Coast Guard credentials. Renters may use an SCDNR approved rental safety certificate, valid for 30 days and only on rented craft. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources administers the program.

Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (dnr.sc.gov)

South Carolina boaters should carry safety gear, avoid alcohol, use registered vessels, and follow operator and speed rules enforced by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable life jacket for everyone; children under 12 must wear one on boats under 16 feet. Operating while impaired is illegal, and at 0.08% BAC or higher impairment may be inferred. Public water vessels generally need registration and decals. Boaters born after July 1, 2007 generally need approved education for boats of 10 horsepower or more or personal watercraft. Personal watercraft cannot operate from sunset to sunrise; stay at idle speed within 50 feet on most waters, with a 100 foot dock setback on specified lakes.

Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (dnr.sc.gov)

South Carolina law does not set a numeric minimum age to operate a rented motorboat or personal watercraft. Under S.C. Code Section 50-21-95, a person born after July 1, 2007, must meet one of the law's qualifications before operating a vessel powered by an engine of 10 horsepower or more, a personal watercraft, or a specialty propcraft. For a rental, a valid boat rental safety certificate issued in the operator's name qualifies. SCDNR says the rental certificate is valid for 30 days. The rental operator sets its own minimum age, so confirm it when booking.

Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (dnr.sc.gov)

Alongside the marinas on this page, Little River has 6 boat rentals and 3 boat dealers.