Heading north out of Mt. Pleasant on Highway 17, as the traffic lights drop off and you start seeing more trees than you do people, you enter into Awendaw. Settlement in the area dates back to the late 1600’s, but it wasn’t until 1992 that the Town of
Awendaw was incorporated. Awendaw’s current population is around 1500 residents.

Awendaw is a rural area rich in natural beauty that offers a short commute to the Charleston Metro area. The town takes its name from the Seewee Indians whose shell rings can still be found along the coast. Awendaw is a rather decentralized town
with huge swaths of undeveloped land made up mostly by the Francis Marion National Forest. Most of the homes and small subdivisions run off of Seewee and Doar Road that make loops from Highway 17 and run parallel to the Intracoastal Waterway.

The Seewee Restaurant serves up local seafood dishes and you can pick up a biscuit or other snack at the Sewee Outpost, Awendaw’s general store. The “Outpost” also hosts the musical venue known as Awendaw Green which showcases the  Lowcountry’s best musicians at their “Barn Jams” every Wednesday night. A Tractor Supply and Dollar General round out your shopping options and keep you from having to venture into Mount Pleasant too often.

Garris Landing on the ICW is the local public boat launch and also home to a ferry taking visitors from the mainland to Bulls Island within the Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge to see a natural spectacle known as the “Bone Yard”. There is also a public kayak launch on Awendaw Creek. The Sewee Visitor Center and the Center for Birds of Prey also call Awendaw their home.