By Local Opinion
The Sandy Island boat ramp is the northernmost access to the Waccamaw River in Pawleys Island. It is also the primary access point for the residents of Sandy Island, a 9-square-mile island between the Waccamaw and Peedee rivers itself. Sandy Island has a very interesting history that I’d like to explore in longer form, but here i’ll just say that there are year-round residents on the island, and there is no access to the island other than by boat! There is even a “school boat” that brings children to the mainland to catch buses. The boat landing the residents’ only access to food, healthcare, and other necessities. Please keep this in mind if you use the public access.
The ramp itself is loose aggregate in places, it’s fairly steep and the landing isn’t super huge, so if you’re looking to put in a larger boat, you’re better off going to Hagley Landing or Wacca Wache Landing in Murrells Inlet. You may also want to consider a more gradual landing if you’re in a lighter vehicle without four-wheel drive and traction may be an issue.
There is one fixed dock directly in front of the landing to use in launching and retrieving. The other slips, to the right of the fixed dock, are for residents of Sandy Island. Please do not use these slips!
There is a decent amount of parking at Sandy Island Landing, but please keep in mind that the car parking areas are primarily for residents. The trailer parking is on your left as you enter the landing area. This landing is typically a little less crowded than Hagley or some of the other popular landings, but as with all landings space can still be at a premium, especially on a beautiful summer day when everyone is looking to the river for some fun.