Learn more about boating in the great state of South Carolina, with a wealth of data gleaned from thousands of boat rentals.

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With over 361,000 registered boats in South Carolina, the state is #10 in the country for most watercraft registrations. Thanks to its expansive coastline, countless lakes, and rivers, and a longer boating season with favorable weather, the state offers ample opportunities for boaters to explore and enjoy its waterways and other on-water activities like fishing, water sports, and more.

With regards to boating safety, boaters born after July 1, 2007, are required by law to pass an approved boater education course before operating a boat, personal watercraft (jet ski), or a specialty propcraft powered by a 10-hp motor or more. You can find more information on boating safety and regulations requirements for South Carolina here.

Comparing these to the 2024 rankings, notable changes include the introduction of Anderson (Lake Hartwell), Clover (Lake Wylie), Salem, and Pawleys Island, while Lake Murray and Georgetown have dropped out of the top ten.

About This Report

This report analyzes booking and demand data from Getmyboat, the world’s largest boat rental marketplace, examining the top 10 boating locations in South Carolina.

It contains proprietary boating data for each city or location, including the most desired vessel style for renters and average pricing. It discusses the distinct features that make each of these destinations boating hotspots and the overall boating experience they offer.


Our Methodology

To develop this report, Getmyboat analyzed boat rental bookings and demand data for locations in South Carolina. Cities are determined by the city that the boat owner registers the boat in within their profile on the platform. The data was cleaned to exclude outlier hourly and total trip rates while rental types were categorized into the significant categories to be evaluated in this report.

South Carolina Data 2025

#1: Charleston

Most Popular Style of Boat: Powerboats

Number of Vessels: 108

Charleston consistently ranks as the top boating city in South Carolina due to its unique available boating experience, the town's maritime history, extensive waterways, and relative affordability of rentals and charters. Charleston is situated at the confluence of the Ashley, Cooper, and Wando rivers, leading directly to the Atlantic Ocean. It is also home to numerous marinas, including the renowned Charleston City Marina, which features the "MegaDock" accommodating vessels up to 180 feet.


#2: Mount Pleasant

Most Popular Style of Boat: Center Consoles

Number of Vessels: 31

Adjacent to Charleston, Mount Pleasant boasts a vibrant boating community, standing out thanks to its access to the Intracoastal Waterway and Charleston Harbor. For 2025, it maintained its rank at #2 in the state, indicating a sustained interest in boat rentals and charters for visitors to this area and locals looking to enjoy the Lowcountry on the water. Mount Pleasant has several marinas with amenities catering to recreational and fishing enthusiasts.


#3: Folly Beach

Most Popular Style of Boat: Center Consoles

Number of Vessels: 35

Folly Beach climbed from fourth in 2024 to third in 2025, thanks to the rise in tourism to the area. Known for its beachy atmosphere, with a 1,000-foot pier that juts into the ocean and incredible surfing opportunities, it’s a paradise for ocean-loving vacationers. The beach offers access to the Folly River and the Atlantic Ocean, and many fishing charters depart daily.


#4: Seneca

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Number of Vessels: 18

Thanks to Lake Keowee, Seneca is one of the top boating cities in South Carolina. This beautiful lake is celebrated for its clear waters and scenic surroundings, with over 300 miles of shoreline. It’s a reservoir surrounded by lush green trees and is ideal for a summer lake getaway. Multiple marinas offer boat rentals, storage, maintenance services, and more.


#5: Anderson

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Number of Vessels: 24

Anderson, South Carolina, is a top boating city due to its access to Lake Hartwell. This reservoir is another favorite among anglers and recreational boaters. It covers approximately 56,000 acres and has a shoreline stretching over 960 miles.

#6: Clover

Most Popular Style of Boat: Powerboats

Number of Vessels: 24

New on the list for 2025, Clover in South Carolina is a popular boating spot thanks to nearby Lake Wylie. This lake is a hub for water sports and leisure boating and spans over 13,400 acres along the South Carolina-North Carolina border.

#7: Hilton Head Island

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Number of Vessels: 22

A gem on the South Carolina coast, Hilton Head Island is loved for its upscale resorts and boating facilities. Access to the Atlantic Ocean and Calibogue Sound.. The island hosts world-class marinas like Harbour Town Yacht Basin. A favorite excursion amongst boaters in Hilton Head is to cruise to find pods of dolphins in the wild — it’s very common to catch them swimming near your boat during a day on the water.


#8: Myrtle Beach

Most Popular Style of Boat: Powerboats

Number of Vessels: 19

Famous for its iconic boardwalk and being a hub of vacationers for decades, Myrtle Beach is a bustling tourist destination with fantastic boating on the ocean and the intracoastal. It’s a popular destination for sailing, fishing, and jet skiing.

#9: Salem

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Number of Vessels: 24

Located on the shores of Lake Jocassee, Salem has emerged as a top boating destination due to its crystal-clear waters, breathtaking mountain views, and unspoiled natural surroundings. Known for its deep, over 7,500-acre reservoir, Lake Jocassee provides boaters with vast open waters ideal for cruising, water skiing, and fishing. The Devil's Fork State Park boat ramps and marina access ensure easy launching for visitors.


#10: Pawleys Island

Most Popular Style of Boat: Powerboats

Number of Vessels: 15

South of Myrtle Beach on the South Carolina coast, Pawleys Island offers access to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, making it an excellent location for boating. It’s a historic coastal town full of Lowcountry charm and pristine salt marshes. These marshes are ideal for outdoorsy visitors looking to kayak, paddleboard, and fish. Boaters can explore the Waccamaw River for a scenic cruise through lush forests and secluded creeks or venture offshore for deep-sea fishing and dolphin watching.

In Summary

South Carolina remains one of the top boating destinations in the U.S., thanks to its diverse mix of coastal cities, lakes, and waterways.

Notable Changes from 2024:

  • New Entries: Anderson (Lake Hartwell), Salem, and Pawleys Island have joined the top 10.
  • Dropped Off: Georgetown (#10 in 2024) is no longer in the top rankings.
  • Biggest Gainer: Hilton Head Island moved up one spot to #7, signaling a resurgence in interest.
  • Biggest Drop: Seneca (Lake Keowee) fell from #3 to #4, and Myrtle Beach dropped from #7 to #8.
  • Charleston and Mount Pleasant continue to dominate, thanks to their prime waterfront locations, strong rental demand, and extensive marina facilities.
  • Folly Beach rose to #3, indicating a growing appeal for boating and water activities.
  • With increased rentals and activity, Inland lakes like Lake Keowee, Lake Hartwell, and Lake Wylie remain boating hotspots.
  • Hilton Head Island has gained popularity, likely due to luxury boating experiences and increased tourism.
  • New entrants, like Salem and Pawleys Island, suggest that boaters are exploring quieter, scenic areas beyond the usual hotspots.

Overall, boating activity in South Carolina is growing, with demand for rentals, fishing charters, and leisure boating increasing across the state.


About Getmyboat

Getmyboat offers charters and rentals, worldwide.

Launched in 2013 with the vision of making the joy of boating accessible to everyone, the company has since grown into the largest boat rental and charter marketplace globally, with over 150,000 listings in 184 countries covering 9,300 destinations.

By giving a platform to both individual boat owners and professional charter businesses, Getmyboat makes the experience of getting out on the water more accessible to everyone — from a weekend jet ski rental in the local lake to a vacation yacht charter to a bachelor party pontoon, and everything in between.

Citing This Report

Media professionals are welcome to utilize this data for journalistic reporting purposes, with a citation and link to Getmyboat. For any questions, or for any other data not found in the below report, reach out to pr@getmyboat.com. Our data and press team can provide further analysis, press quotes, and any other information needed for press stories.

Boating Data Reports for Other Locations

South Carolina Data