McClellanville is great vacation destination for those who want to get out of the city and enjoy some peace and quiet and small town charm. Nestled between The Francis Marion National Forest and Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge, McClellanville is surrounded by pristine natural resources and fun filled outdoor activities (fishing, hunting, kayaking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, etc.). Charleston and Myrtle Beach are just an hour away and Mount Pleasant, Isle of Palms, and Georgetown are all within 30 minutes, so there is plenty of action and excitement (shopping, historic tours, beaches, shows, golfing, etc.) within driving distance.
This site is a great source of information about McClellanville’s news, events, and places of interest. Id suggest these articles if youd like more information about McClellanville or a list of magazine articles written about McClellanville.
Below you will find answers to commonly asked questions:
Boating
Beaches
Fishing
Things-to-Do
Food
Trash
Boating
One of the main reason people visit McClellanville is the waters of the Cape Romain Wildlife refuge. Whether youre looking to fish, kayak, go to the beach, pick up shells or watch birds youll have fun in the pristine waters of Bulls Bay and Cape Romain. Cape Romain Marine in McClellanville on highway 17 also offers boat sales, storage, and maintenance and are happy to help you with all your boating needs.
What are the general boating rules and regulations for South Carolina?
There is no license required to operate a boat or jet ski in South Carolina if you are 16 years older or older.
If you are a younger than 16 years old you must either be accompanied by a person at least 18 years old who is not under the influence of alcohol or you must pass a boating safety course approved by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Boating Under the Influence is illegal and can result in jail time, fines, and loss of drivers license.
Please respect the No Wake zone within all of Jeremy Creek.
Is there anywhere I can rent a boat?
Due to the liability involved in operating a boat, there are not currently any boat rentals in McClellanville. Most renters looking to enjoy fishing and boating bring their own.
Where do I launch my boat in McClellanville?
McClellanville’s Robert E. Ashley Landing is located at the end of Pinckney street (turn right at the Town of McClellanville sign). This is a private boat landing owned by the town and a permit is required to launch your boat here. Permits can be purchased from the Town Hall (2 story building in front of the landing) or Bulls Bay Hardware at the intersection of Hwy 17 and Hwy 45. Annual permits (stickers) cost $50 for town residents and $100 for non-residents or weekend permits (hang tags) can be purchased for $30. Only vehicles with trailers and permits can park within the fenced in area and there is no parking of trailers on any of the streets in McClellanville. Parking is limited here (especially nice summer and fall weekends) so if your renting a home with a dock, I strongly recommend launching your boat and then returning your truck and trailer to the house while another person motors the boat back to the dock and picks you up. The boat can then be left tied up at the dock for the rest of your stay.
Any public (free) boat landings?
Buck Hall Recreation Park, 10 minutes south of McClellanville, on Hwy 17 charges a $5 entrance fee to the park and allows boat launching. There are also free public boat landings in Awendaw off of Seewee Road and 15 minutes north of McClellanville on the Santee River right across from Hopsewee Plantation.
Beaches
Where is McClellanvilles beach?
Although McClellanville is located on the coast there is no beachy coastline here due to the series of barrier islands seperating it from the Atlantic Ocean. The Intracoastal Waterway runs along McClellanvilles coastline and beyong it are the creeks and marshes of the barrier islands encompassed by the Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge. These waters (referred to as Bulls Bay) are some of the best fishing grounds as well as a great place to boat, kayak, and watch birds. At the edge of the Refuge, 2 or 3 miles southeast of McClellanville, is a beautiful sandy beach near the Cape Romain Lighthouse. Although it is open to the public, it is only accessible by boat (think North Carolina Outer Banks without ferries, roads, or homes). The area is pristine and never crowded.
Where is the closest beach to McClellanville?
The beach described above is a 15 to 20 minute boat ride. Isle of Palms and Sullivans Island, just East of Mount Pleasant are about a 30 minute drive from McClellanville. These are nice beaches with public parking and beach access as well as a few good beachfront restaurants.
Fishing
Do I need a fishing license?
You will need a saltwater fishing license if you are fishing from a boat or transporting fish caught in a boat. This license is good for one year and last from July 1st to June 30th and costs $10 for South Carolina residents and $35 for non-residents. You can also purchase a 14 day license for $5 for residents and $11 for non-residents. Licenses are available online or over the phone by calling 1-866-714-3611.
What are fishing regulations or catch limits in South Carolina?
Many of the catch rules change on a yearly basis in an effort to maintain healthy fish levels and the fines for getting caught with illegal fish are steep. You should check the Department of Natural Resources Saltwater Fishing Rules online for yourself, but here they are until atleast July 1st, 2008 when theyll probably change again.
Spottail Bass (AKA Red Drum) ” 3 per person per day, 15 minimum and 23 maximum
Spotted Seatrout ” 10 per person per day, 14 minimum
Flounder ” 20 per person per day with a 40 per boat limit, 14 minimum
Things to Do
Personal taste will vary, but I suggest checking out my Top Ten Things to Do in McClellanville list and if all else fails take a day trip to historic Charleston or visit the outlets and shows in Myrtle Beach. If you can’t find answers to your questions about these surrounding areas, you might want to try Trip Advisor Forum.
How Far is¦?
Georgetown – 25 minutes to the North
Myrtle Beach – 1 hour to the North
Mount Pleasant / Isle of Palms – 30 minutes to the South
Charleston – 45 minutes to the South
Columbia – 2 1/2 to 3 hours to the West
Food
We all visit places for different reasons but one of those reasons is always to take in the local cuisine and in McClellanville youre talking about SEAFOOD! Weve got fresh local caught shrimp, clams, oysters, crabs, and fish available at our seafood markets for you to take home and prepare yourself or served up hot at our restaurants.
What restaurants are in McClellanville?
Youve got 4 McClellanville restaurants to choose from. I always recommend Pinckney Street Kitchen for lunch and T.W. Grahams for dinner. If youre staying for a week, I bet youll be back to each several times, but if you can only go once, youve got to try the famous crab and shrimp cake at Pinckney Street Kitchen and save room for a slice of homemade pie at T.W. Grahams.
Where can I buy seafood?
In the historic district, youll find Carolina Seafood Market at the end of Oak Street and Livingstons Bulls Bay Seafood is just around the corner on Morrison Street. Youll see when you go there that the food literally comes right off the boat as this is where most of the McClellanville shrimp boat docks as well. Capt. Hatts Shrimp Market is located on highway 17 (1/2 mile south of the blinking light) and also has freshly caught seafood.
Where can I get groceries/supplies?
McClellanville does not have a grocery store. Necessities like milk, bread, drinks, and snacks are available at Bulls Bay Supply at the entrance to McClellanville on Highway 17, but major grocery shopping should be done in Mount Pleasant or Georgetown before you come.
Trash
When is trash pick-up?
Trash is picked up every Monday and Thursday (except for holidays) and MUST be bagged and placed in roadside cans for removal.
Where is the closest dump?
McClellanvilles Recycling and Waste Conveniance Center is about a mile and 1/2 miles north on Highway 17 and then bear right onto River Road and go another 1/2 mile and turn right.