It’s evident just on the drive out to Wadmalaw’s Cherry Point Landing that you’re in for a scenic treat with this paddle. From the landing, head right past the sleepy, historic village of Rockville into Bohicket Creek. You’ll soon reach the open waters of the Edisto River and Botany Bay. Cross the expanse to the large creek opening just ahead and to your left and you’ll find yourself far from the development of Charleston and just inside the northern reaches of the ACE Basin. Dolphins are abundant here-you’re likely to have a pod come snooping to check you out. Paddle into Privateer Creek, the narrow opening just to the right of your reentrance to Bohicket Creek back across the river. Legend has it that Blackbeard used to pull in here to clean his ship’s hull.
Directions from Charleston: Take Hwy 17 S and quickly bear left after the Ashley River Bridge toward Folly Beach. Pass EarthFare grocery store on your right, cross another bridge, and take a right onto Maybank Hwy./SC 700. Continue across James Island, cross a bridge, then continue straight across Johns Island. Once on Wadmalaw, bear left at the split after 7 miles (remain on Maybank Hwy.), then continue 9 miles to Cherry Point Landing.
