Georgetown SC to Surfside Beach SC
Public Kayak Launch Sites
Every public boat landing and hand launch from Georgetown to Surfside Beach — with GPS coordinates, tidal notes, parking info, and local paddler tips. The most complete launch guide on the Grand Strand.
- 13 Public Launch Sites
- 4 Corridor Areas
- GPS Directions on Every Site
Featured Launch Sites
6 sites — managed by local guide
Morse Park Landing
Murrells Inlet
easy
One of the most popular public kayak launches in Murrells Inlet. Paved ramp, parking lot, and easy access to the main creek channel. Great starting point for exploring the marsh.
- Large paved parking lot. Free. Can get busy on weekends.
- Paved boat ramp. Easy kayak launch from the side of the ramp.
Free
Wachesaw Landing
Murrells Inlet
moderate
Historic landing on the Waccamaw River. Excellent access for paddling upriver through cypress swamps or downriver toward the inlet. Watch for boat traffic.
- Small gravel lot. Limited to about 10 cars.
- Concrete ramp. Moderate current depending on tide.
Free
Huntington Beach State Park — Causeway
Murrells Inlet
easy
Launch from the causeway inside Huntington Beach State Park. Excellent for paddling the freshwater lagoon or the saltwater marsh. Wildlife is incredible — alligators, herons, ospreys.
- Park entry fee required ($8/adult). Parking at the causeway area.
- Flat sandy bank. Easy launch. Calm water on both sides.
$8/adult park entry
Garden City Boat Landing
Garden City
easy
Public boat ramp at Garden City. Good access to the tidal creeks behind the strand and the main channel heading toward the inlet. Popular with local fishermen.
- Small paved lot. Free.
- Concrete ramp. Easy kayak launch.
Free
Litchfield Landing
Litchfield
easy
Quiet launch site near Litchfield Beach. Great for paddling the tidal creeks and exploring the undeveloped marsh north of Pawleys Island. Very little boat traffic.
- Small gravel pulloff. Room for 4-5 vehicles.
- Grassy bank. Soft mud at low tide — launch at mid to high tide.
Free
Pawleys Island Causeway
Pawleys Island
easy
Classic Pawleys Island launch. Paddle the salt marsh behind the island or head south toward Litchfield. Gorgeous scenery and excellent birding. One of the most scenic paddles on the Grand Strand.
- Limited roadside parking on the causeway. Arrive early on weekends.
- Sandy bank. Easy launch at all tides.
Free
Georgetown Area
4 public launch sites
East Bay Street (Ballpark) Landing
Sampit River · Georgetown
- Moderate (free)
- Concrete ramp
- Tidal – check levels before launching
Show Local Tip
“Great entry into Sampit River toward Winyah Bay. Launch ~2 hrs before high tide for easiest paddle. Watch for boat traffic near the marina.”
- 33°22'12"N 79°17'09"W
Beginner–Inter.
Carol Ashmore Campbell Marine
Complex
Sampit River / Winyah Bay · Georgetown
- Ample (free)
- Concrete ramp
- Tidal river – moderate current
Show Local Tip
“One of the best-equipped launches in Georgetown. Good starting point for Winyah Bay exploration or Waccamaw River. Arrive early on weekends – can get busy with motorboat traffic.”
- 33°22'19"N 79°17'22"W
Beginner–Inter.
Browns Ferry Boat Ramp
Black River · Georgetown
- Limited (free)
- Concrete ramp
- Blackwater river – minimal tidal influence upriver
Show Local Tip
“Peaceful blackwater paddling into Samworth WMA. Excellent for wildlife watching (herons, otters, turtles). Bring a GPS – creek junctions can be confusing.”
- 33°27'40"N 79°28'07"W
Intermediate
Peters Creek / Samworth WMA Access
Peters Creek / Pee Dee River · Georgetown County
- Limited (free, gravel)
- Primitive hand launch
- Tidal – check levels before launching
Show Local Tip
“Great entry into Sampit River toward Winyah Bay. Launch ~2 hrs before high tide for easiest paddle. Watch for boat traffic near the marina.”
- 33°28'15"N 79°25'30"W
Intermediate
Pawleys Island / Litchfield
4 public launch sites
Tom Crocker Landing
Waccamaw River / ICW · Pawleys Island
- Limited (free)
- Concrete ramp
- ICW – moderate current, watch for boat traffic
Show Local Tip
“Best access to the Waccamaw River from Pawleys. Parking is tight – drop gear first, then park. Great for exploring the blackwater river north toward Conway.”
- 33°27'05"N 79°06'50"W
Beginner–Inter.
Shell Road Landing
Pawleys Creek / ICW · Pawleys Island
- Very limited (street)
- Primitive hand launch
- Tidal creek – can be shallow at low tide
Show Local Tip
“Quiet hand launch into Pawleys Creek. Perfect for exploring the back side of Pawleys Island. Arrive early – street parking fills up on summer weekends.”
- 33°26'15"N 79°06'05"W
Beginner
Pritchard Street Landing
Pawleys Creek · Pawleys Island
- Very limited (street)
- Primitive hand launch
- Tidal – check before launching
Show Local Tip
“Local favorite for a quick paddle around Pawleys Island. Very limited parking – best on weekday mornings. Dolphins frequently seen in the creek.”
- 33°25'48"N 79°05'45"W
Beginner
Litchfield Landing / Willbrook
Plantation Ramp
Midway Creek / ICW · Litchfield
Beginner–Inter.
- Moderate (free)
- Concrete ramp
- ICW – watch for motorboat wake
Show Local Tip
“Underused gem in the Litchfield area. Good access to the ICW south toward Murrells Inlet or north toward Pawleys. Quieter than the main inlet ramps.”
- 33°24'30"N 79°07'15"W
Murrells Inlet
3 public launch sites
Morse Park Landing (Hand Launch)
LOCAL PICK
Alston Creek / Murrells Inlet · Murrells Inlet
- Street parking only
- Primitive hand launch
- Tidal – watch current near inlet
Show Local Tip
“Best primitive/hand launch in the Murrells Inlet area – perfect for kayaks and canoes. Quieter than the main ramp. Monitor tides carefully; Alston Creek can drain to mud at low tide. Ideal for morning paddles into the marsh.”
- 33°32'22"N 79°03'03"W
Beginner
Oyster Landing (Murrells Inlet
Main Ramp) LOCAL PICK
Murrells Inlet · Murrells Inlet
Beginner–Inter.
- 112 spaces (free)
- Concrete ramp (multi-lane)
- Strong tidal – Murrells Inlet flushes fast
Show Local Tip
“Largest and best-equipped public ramp in the area. Easy kayak launch from courtesy docks. Inlet tidal current can be swift near the mouth – paddle inside the marshwalk for calmer water. Gets crowded summer weekends; arrive before 8 am.”
- 33°33'00"N 79°02'30"W
Wacca Wache / Wacha Watche Landing
Intracoastal Waterway · Murrells Inlet
- Moderate (free)
- Concrete ramp
- ICW barge traffic – stay to the right
Show Local Tip
“Direct Intracoastal Waterway access. Popular with local kayak anglers. ICW has heavy motorboat and occasional barge traffic – paddle in designated areas. Great southern access point for exploring toward Garden City marshes.”
- 33°33'43"N 79°05'08"W
Intermediate
Garden City / Surfside Beach
2 public launch sites
Garden City Boat Ramp
Main Creek / ICW · Garden City
Beginner–Inter.
- Moderate (free)
- Concrete ramp
- Tidal creek – can be shallow at low tide
Show Local Tip
“Closest public ramp to Surfside Beach. Good access into Garden City marsh and Main Creek. SR 816 is a short dead-end road – easy to find. Avoid low tide for ramp access as the creek shoals. Dolphins frequently spotted in the inlet nearby.”
- 33°34'40"N 79°00'20"W
Surfside Beach / SC 544 Landing
Intracoastal Waterway · Surfside Beach
Intermediate
- Dozens of spaces (free)
- Dual concrete ramp (opened 2003)
- ICW – watch for motorboat wake
Show Local Tip
“Newest and most modern Horry County ramp in the corridor. Dual lane ramp with ample parking makes launching easy. Direct ICW access north toward Murrells Inlet or south toward Myrtle Beach. Best paddled early morning before boat traffic picks up.”
- 33°35'18"N 79°01'10"W
Know Before You Go
General Paddler Tips for This Corridor
🌊 Tides & Currents
Public boat ramp at Garden City. Good access to the tidal creeks behind the strand and the main channel heading toward the inlet. Popular with local fishermen.
🦺 Safety Essentials
Always wear a properly fitted PFD. File a float plan with someone on shore. Carry a whistle, bilge pump, and a dry bag with phone and snacks. Cell service can be spotty in marsh areas.
🚢 ICW Awareness
Launches at Wacca Wache and SC 544 access the Intracoastal Waterway. Paddle single-file on the right side of the channel. Large vessels have the right of way – move to the marsh edge if a barge approaches.
🌅 Best Times to Paddle
Early morning (7–10 am) offers calm winds, great wildlife activity, and lighter boat traffic. Spring (Mar–May) and fall (Sep–Nov) offer the best temperatures and biting-insect conditions.
🌿 Blackwater Rivers
Browns Ferry and Georgetown-area launches lead into blackwater rivers. Water is naturally dark from tannic acid – it’s safe and clean. Bring a GPS or download offline maps; creek junctions can be confusing.
🅿️ Parking Tips
Pawleys Island ramps (Tom Crocker, Shell Rd, Pritchard St) have very limited parking. Drop gear at the ramp first, then find street parking. Oyster Landing has the most parking in the corridor — 112 spaces.
🐬 Wildlife Awareness
This corridor is home to bottlenose dolphins, loggerhead sea turtles (May–Oct), alligators (all freshwater/brackish areas), osprey, herons, and bald eagles. Keep a respectful 50-yard distance from marine mammals.
☀️ Sunscreen & Heat
South Carolina sun is intense March–October. Use reef-safe SPF 50+, wear a hat and sun shirt. Bring more water than you think you need – dehydration sneaks up on the water.
🗑️ Leave No Trace
Pack out all trash, including fishing line. Do not disturb oyster beds – they are critical habitat and fragile when exposed at low tide. Monofilament recycling boxes are available at several ramps.
On-Water Emergency Contacts
Horry County Marine Patrol
Georgetown County Sheriff
SC DNR 24-hr Tip Line
Coast Guard Sector Charleston
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