Paddle Your Way To a Relaxing Day at These Conway Area Kayaking Spots

You’ll find plenty of exciting outdoor activities to enjoy around Conway, South Carolina, including plenty of spots that are ideal for kayaking. If you’re looking for a way to spend a relaxing day on the water in the Conway area, grab some paddles and check out a few of these top kayaking destinations.

Waccamaw River

The Waccamaw River winds for 140 miles from southeastern North Carolina to eastern South Carolina. Part of that journey takes the river right past downtown Conway. If you’d like to take a tour to explore the Waccamaw River, Black River Outdoors has you covered. The company’s two-hour Cypress Swamp Tour begins in Conway and paddles the calm waters of the Waccamaw River. On your tour, you’ll learn plenty of interesting information about the river and the plants and animals that live around it.

Great Pee Dee River

The Great Pee Dee River is another river that flows from North Carolina to South Carolina. In South Carolina, a 70-mile segment of the large and wild river is designated as a State Scenic River. You can navigate the entire stretch of this scenic water by kayak, and you’ll find several public boat landings along the river where you can launch your kayak. As you’re paddling along, you’ll see plenty of herons. If you’re lucky, you might even spot alligators and bald eagles.

Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge

The Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge is a sprawling protected area located south of Conway that covers nearly 55,000 acres. In addition to excellent opportunities for hiking, hunting, and fishing, the refuge also has endless opportunities for kayaking. The refuge contains portions of both the Great Pee Dee River and the Waccamaw River. The two rivers converge in the heart of the refuge to create a flourishing estuary where you can spot all types of wildlife. You’ll find numerous boat ramps on both rivers that make it easy to explore the waters.

Waccamaw River Blue Trail

The Waccamaw River Blue Trail is a 140-mile paddling trail that winds its way through the protected bottomland hardwood forests of the Waccamaw River Heritage Preserve and the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge. It also passes through several historic cities, including Georgetown and Conway. One thing that sets this trail apart from others in the region is its diverse range of habitats. Since you’ll paddle through everything from tidal rice fields to forested floodplains, you’ll have a chance to see an amazing variety of animals.

Intracoastal Waterway

If you’re interested in a unique kayak excursion, take a trip approximately 13 miles southeast of Conway to the Intracoastal Waterway. Since the waterway is typically calm, it’s a great place for every member of the family to explore. As you paddle the waterway, make sure you take some time to explore the inlets so you can immerse yourself in nature and observe wildlife in its natural habitat.

The next time you want to do some kayaking around Conway, you know you’ll have an unforgettable time when you head out to these top paddling spots in the area.

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