Awendaw, South Carolina, USA
A rare expedition stop where cypress-draped swamps meet barrier island wilderness — Awendaw gives small-ship passengers a genuine Lowcountry wild immersion, not a tourist circuit.
A rare expedition stop where cypress-draped swamps meet barrier island wilderness — Awendaw gives small-ship passengers a genuine Lowcountry wild immersion, not a tourist circuit.
Awendaw is an expedition-only stop; there is no cruise pier and no large-ship infrastructure.
💡 Pro move: This is not a port for independent walk-off exploration. Book excursions through your ship or pre-arrange guided tours.
Awendaw has no dedicated cruise terminal; expedition ships use Zodiacs and the public Garris Landing boat ramp.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition ships (Lindblad/National Geographic, similar) | Garris Landing, Awendaw📍 | Tendered |
| All other cruise lines | Not a scheduled call — large ships use the Charleston cruise port (~30 mi south)📍 | Docked |
Awendaw's draws are entirely natural — barrier island beaches, refuge trails, birding, and swamp kayaking.
Take the ferry from Garris Landing to Bulls Island, a largely undeveloped barrier island inside Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge with 16 miles of trails. It's roughly a 2.5-mile walk through maritime forest and along the shore to the famous Boneyard Beach — a hauntingly beautiful expanse of bleached driftwood — and you may spot alligators, loggerhead turtles, and dozens of shorebird species.
Find Bulls Island ferry tours →A 7.1-mile trail through Francis Marion National Forest weaving between longleaf pine forest and salt marsh. The Walnut Grove overlook gives sweeping tidal views. Suitable for hiking or biking.
Find Palmetto Trail guided tours →Paddle through the blackwater creeks and bottomland hardwood forest of Francis Marion National Forest with guides from Coastal Expeditions. Look for osprey, wood storks, river otters, and the distinctive cypress-and-Spanish-moss scenery of the South Carolina coast.
Find Lowcountry kayak tours →A short drive from Garris Landing, this acclaimed center houses nearly 50 raptor species — eagles, falcons, hawks, owls — with live flight demonstrations on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Educational and genuinely impressive.
Find Birds of Prey tours →Walk the one-mile Sewee Shell Ring Trail to a 4,000-year-old Native American oyster-shell mound, one of the oldest surviving structures in the region. The Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center nearby has live red wolves and Lowcountry ecosystem exhibits.
Find Sewee history tours →There is no walkable town center at Awendaw — all trails require a short drive or transfer from Garris Landing.
A flat, self-guided loop through longleaf pine scrub to a 4,000-year-old pre-Columbian shell mound. Interpretive signs explain Sewee tribe history and local flora. Good for those with limited time or mobility.
📍 Open in MapsA historic 1700s-era trail through wet pine flatwoods and swamp edges. Great for birding — look for painted buntings, prothonotary warblers, and wood ducks. Self-guided with minimal elevation change.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Awendaw, South Carolina, USA (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58°F / 14°C | 43°F / 6°C | 9 | 7:21 AM | 5:34 PM |
| Feb | 62°F / 17°C | 48°F / 9°C | 9 | 7:01 AM | 6:03 PM |
| Mar | 67°F / 19°C | 52°F / 11°C | 9 | 7:28 AM | 7:26 PM |
| Apr | 73°F / 23°C | 58°F / 14°C | 9 | 6:48 AM | 7:48 PM |
| May | 79°F / 26°C | 66°F / 19°C | 11 | 6:19 AM | 8:11 PM |
| Jun | 84°F / 29°C | 73°F / 23°C | 17 | 6:09 AM | 8:28 PM |
| Jul | 87°F / 31°C | 76°F / 24°C | 19 | 6:21 AM | 8:27 PM |
| Aug | 86°F / 30°C | 75°F / 24°C | 21 | 6:41 AM | 8:03 PM |
| Sep | 82°F / 28°C | 71°F / 22°C | 15 | 7:02 AM | 7:24 PM |
| Oct | 76°F / 24°C | 63°F / 17°C | 8 | 7:23 AM | 6:44 PM |
| Nov | 66°F / 19°C | 52°F / 11°C | 8 | 6:49 AM | 5:16 PM |
| Dec | 62°F / 17°C | 49°F / 9°C | 10 | 7:14 AM | 5:13 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
All shore access is via ship-organized Zodiac landings at Garris Landing or Bulls Island ferry. Transport is always arranged by the expedition crew — no independent pier access.
Some expedition operators run optional overland shuttles to trailheads or the Cape Romain NWR ferry dock. Check your shore excursion list onboard.
Uber is confirmed available in the Charleston metro area and can serve Awendaw, but rural pickup times can exceed 20–30 minutes. Best pre-booked for a return trip to Charleston.
Charleston-based car services and taxis can be arranged in advance to pick up at Garris Landing Rd. Contact your ship or a local Charleston taxi company before departure day.
Outfitters like Coastal Expeditions offer guided kayak and nature tours from this area. Best booked before the cruise for passengers who want independent wildlife access.