| Island Adventure Watersports
Most people come to Myrtle Beach for the ocean. But the best day on the water? That happens behind the beach, on the Intracoastal Waterway.
The ICW is a protected, calm waterway that runs parallel to the coast through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Lowcountry. No waves, no rough water, no seasickness. Just miles of quiet creeks, cypress trees, wildlife, and sandy shorelines that most visitors never even see.
At Island Adventure Watersports, the Intracoastal Waterway is our backyard. Every jet ski rental, guided tour, pontoon cruise, and wakeboarding session we offer takes place right here on the ICW. We’ve been putting families on this water from our dock on Dick Pond Road for over 12 years, and we still think it’s the most underrated thing to do in Myrtle Beach.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is the Intracoastal Waterway?
The Intracoastal Waterway is a 3,000-mile inland waterway that runs along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Boston to Brownsville, Texas. The stretch that passes through Myrtle Beach connects with the Waccamaw River and the Pee Dee River, creating a network of channels, creeks, and open water that’s perfect for boating.
The key feature: it’s freshwater. The rivers and channels in our area are fed by the Waccamaw and Pee Dee watersheds, not the ocean. That means no saltwater corrosion, no jellyfish, and no rough surf. The water is dark and tannin-stained from cypress trees, which gives it that distinctive blackwater look you see in photos.
The waterway is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and marked with channel markers, making it easy to navigate even if you’ve never driven a boat before. South Carolina doesn’t require a boating license, so anyone can get out and explore.
Why the ICW Is Better Than the Ocean for Water Activities
People ask us all the time why we operate on the waterway instead of the ocean. Here’s why:
Flat, calm water. The ICW is protected from wind and ocean swells. You can take a pontoon boat out with your whole family and never worry about waves or seasickness. It’s the reason we can put first-time boaters on the water with confidence.
Wildlife everywhere. Alligators basking on the banks. Turtles stacked on logs. Osprey and bald eagles circling overhead. Great blue herons standing in the shallows. The ICW runs through the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, a 23,000-acre preserve that’s home to some of the most diverse freshwater ecosystems on the East Coast.
No crowds. On a summer Saturday, the ocean beach is packed shoulder to shoulder. Out on the waterway? You might not see another boat for 20 minutes. It’s a completely different pace.
Warmer water. The freshwater channels warm up faster than the Atlantic. By late spring, the water is comfortable for swimming, tubing, and wading at sandy stops along the route.
Stunning scenery. Cypress trees draped in Spanish moss. Marsh grass bending in the breeze. Sandy beaches and islands you can only reach by boat. The Intracoastal Waterway looks nothing like the Grand Strand, and that’s exactly the point.
What You Can Do on the Intracoastal Waterway
The ICW isn’t just for fishing boats and yachts. Here’s what’s out there:
Pontoon and Tritoon Boat Rentals
Our most popular way to spend a day on the waterway. Rent a pontoon (up to 9 passengers) or tritoon (up to 12 passengers), load up the cooler, and head out on your own. Every rental includes fuel, a Bimini shade top, and a Bluetooth stereo. No boating license required.
Head south toward Sandy Island and the Waccamaw Nature Preserve, or cruise north toward Barefoot Landing where you can dock at waterfront restaurants. Half-day and full-day options available.
Guided Jet Ski Tours
Our backcountry jet ski tour is the only one of its kind. You’ll ride through narrow channels deep in the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, weaving past alligator dens and cypress-lined corridors that feel a world away from Myrtle Beach. The two-hour tour covers 50 to 60 miles of waterway, with a stop at Sandy Island to stretch your legs and hear the history from your guide.
This is consistently our most popular activity and regularly books out days in advance during the summer.
Jet Ski Rentals
Want to ride at your own pace? Our hourly jet ski rentals give you access to the same stretch of waterway. You’ll get a safety briefing and a map of the area, and then you’re free to explore. The ICW is wide and calm, making it ideal for first-time riders and experienced riders alike.
Wakeboarding and Tubing
The flat water on the ICW makes it one of the best spots for wakeboarding and tubing on the East Coast. No boat wake to compete with, no ocean chop. Just smooth water and a dedicated tow boat with all the gear.
Tiki Boat Cruises
Our private tiki boat cruises take groups of up to 18 passengers on a scenic ride along the waterway. BYOB, a licensed captain, music, and Lowcountry views. It’s become one of the most popular things to do for bachelorette parties, birthdays, and group celebrations.
Key Spots Along the ICW Near Myrtle Beach
Sandy Island. The largest undeveloped freshwater island on the East Coast, at over 9,000 acres. Accessible only by boat. Home to a small Gullah community, a 600-year-old live oak, and miles of untouched shoreline. You can beach a pontoon right on the sand and spend the afternoon swimming, hiking, and exploring. Read more about Sandy Island.
Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge. A 23,000-acre preserve surrounding much of the ICW in our area. It protects longleaf pine forests, tidal freshwater marshes, and habitat for alligators, osprey, bald eagles, and the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Our jet ski tour rides through the heart of it. Read more about the refuge.
Barefoot Landing. A waterfront shopping and dining complex north of our dock. You can take a pontoon boat up the ICW and dock right there for lunch or shopping before heading back.
Enterprise Landing. A quieter put-in area south of Myrtle Beach. Several creeks branch off the main channel here, offering sheltered water perfect for kayaking and wildlife viewing.
Tips for Your First Time on the ICW
- Wear sunscreen. Even with shade on the boat, you’ll be in the sun once you’re off it.
- Bring a cooler. Pack drinks, snacks, and lunch. There aren’t many stops to buy food on the waterway.
- Waterproof phone case. You’ll want photos of the wildlife and scenery. A $10 waterproof pouch saves you a $1,000 phone.
- Shoes you can get wet. Water shoes or old sneakers for wading and walking on sandy stops.
- Arrive 15 minutes early. We walk everyone through a safety briefing and boat orientation before you head out.
- Stay in marked channels. The ICW is well-marked with navigation aids. Your briefing covers everything you need to know.
- Book early in the summer. Our boats and jet skis book out fast from June through August. Morning slots go first.
Why Locals Choose the Intracoastal Waterway
We’ve been operating on the ICW since 2012, and we’ve seen thousands of families, friend groups, and couples discover this waterway for the first time. The reaction is almost always the same: “I had no idea this was here.”
That’s the beauty of the Intracoastal Waterway. It’s right behind Myrtle Beach, minutes from the strip, but it feels like a completely different world. Quiet water, big trees, real wildlife, and space to spread out. Whether you’re renting a pontoon for a Sandy Island day trip, riding jet skis through the wildlife refuge, or celebrating a birthday on the tiki boat, the ICW is where the best memories happen.
With over 1,000 five-star reviews across Google, TripAdvisor, and Yelp, our guests agree.
Get on the Water
Island Adventure Watersports is located on the Intracoastal Waterway at Dick Pond Road in Myrtle Beach. We offer pontoon and tritoon boat rentals, guided and self-guided jet ski experiences, wakeboarding, tubing, and private tiki cruises.
