Bulls Island (prices, beach, ferry)

[ahef71]

Hi there. So, we're interested in visiting Bulls Island but want to go without the whole Coastal Expeditions tour.
It kind of sucks that the only ferry option is theirs and it's $40 per person to get there. Do people ever kayak or canoe out to the island? It is permitted? Three miles isn't too bad to canoe, I suppose (assume we're not going against the tide).

[carolina_home_owner]

Yes you are allowed to kayak to Bull Island. Here is an excerpt to better help you navigate.

"This trip leaves from Garris Landing (formerly known as Moores Landing) is about 4.5 nautical miles (5.2 statute miles). A large group will paddle no faster than 3 knots. Plan on paddling about 1.5 hours to arrive at the southwest end of Bull Island. As we leave the landing, head straight out to round daymarker "74". Avoid the temptation to cut to the right - shallows and oyster beds will get you stuck and scrape your hull.

As we enter the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) we will head southwest for about 2.5 nautical miles. We'll keep to on side or the other, depending on the wind, out of the channel but avoiding the shallows. My strategy is often to head from daymarker to daymarker (green to green or red to red, depending on which side of the channel) - just outside the channel. We need to travel outside of the channel in the ICW - recreational and commercial boat traffic can be heavy.

About 400 yards after daymarker "84" we will turn left (southeast) into Prices Creek. (If you see lighted daymarker "86" you have missed your turn into Prices Creek!) There are no aids to navigation in Prices Creek. Deep water from bank to bank. However, it is prudent to keep to one bank or the other to help avoid boat traffic.

I usually like to land south of the high tension tower on Bull Island. Exactly where is dependant on the wind direction. I like to take advantage of the shelter of a dune if I can for a windbreak. This allows for the option of beachcombing on the front beach, or a nature walk on the Turkey Walk Trail. The trailhead is about 50 yards south of the high tension tower. I've seen bobcats, maritime fox squirrels, alligators and lots of snakes and lizards along the trail. Tons of birds. However, the trail can be buggy! Sometimes the bugs are too bad on the trail, meaning that beachcombing on the front beach is the best option. That’s ok – there is some of the best shelling in South Carolina along this beach. And the Boneyard Beach is a must-see."

[Iam4USC]

Take a mosquito net for your head and neck and plenty of Off with Deet if you plan to hike any of the interior trails. Beautiful sights to be seen but the volume of mosquitos will astound you. That is NOT an exageration.

[ahef71]

Thanks for the advice. We're thinking we'll go out once the heat breaks, so hopefully the skeeters will break a bit, too... but we will definitely come prepared.