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SC Inlet Caution: Port Royal Sound Entrance
- Date Reported: Jun 2, 2022
- Reporter: Jani Parker
- Source: Waterway Guide Staff
- Description:
Overview: Wide, deep and very long. If headed south offshore, this is not the best option as a point of entry, as you will backtrack some distance to re-enter the ocean.
Approach: Port Royal Sound Lighted Buoy "P" is at N 32° 05.111'/W 080° 35.052'.
Navigation: From the sea buoy, head north and follow the range to flashing red buoy "14," then veer to the west to quick flashing green buoy "25," where you can head west as noted to the southbound ICW and Hilton Head Island, or north to Beaufort, SC. There are ranges northbound to quick flashing green buoy "37" on the Beaufort River.
Cautions & Hazards: When a cold front passes through the area, expect breaking ocean swells throughout the channel until rounding Bay Point. Under these conditions the going will be tedious but still negotiable for well-found vessels. More difficult is the combination of a stiff onshore breeze against an ebb tide (driven here by local tides of 9 feet); this is a situation best avoided.
ICW Connection: Connects to the ICW after quick flashing green buoy "25" at approximately Mile 548.6.
- Lat / Lon: N 32° 13.910' / W 080° 38.626'
1 Boater Comment
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Comment by: Ron Rivieccio, Boath Krazy, on Apr 18, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 23'
Draft: 2.5'We crossed from Skull creek to Beaufort river at 4pm with a low tide at 6:07pm, Wind was kick'n from the south and the sea was pretty ruff.. white caps and swells. We ran the route south the day before at 1:30pm with a high tide at noon.. no wind and it was smooth sailing.. Amazing what the ebb and an opposing wind can do to the conditions.. High swells!! After a 40 min ride, we entered the Beaufort River it was almost worse!! Struggled against the current and white caps for 20 mins we finally decided to anchor in some shallow water off St. Helena island to wait it out.. 15 min later at 5pm we pulled anchor and went the rest of the way to Port Royal marina which was just around the bend. Wait for the wind to die and the tide to slow unless you want a rollercoaster ride!! 2nd day on the boat and I would say we have our sea legs now! Boat performed magnificently with just the 120 2 stoke force, didn't take on but a few sprays of water because of the wind, but the boat kept us dry!
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