| Island Adventure Watersports
If you’re looking for the best way to spend a day on the water in Myrtle Beach, renting a pontoon boat and heading to Sandy Island is hard to beat. No crowds, no traffic, no reservations. Just you, your crew, and one of the most unique islands on the entire East Coast.
Sandy Island sits along the Intracoastal Waterway between the Pee Dee and Waccamaw Rivers, and the only way to get there is by boat. That alone makes it feel like a real adventure. Pack a cooler, load up the family, and cruise south from our dock on Dick Pond Road. Within a couple hours of easy, flat-water cruising, you’ll pull up to a stretch of sand that most Myrtle Beach visitors never even hear about.
A Brief History of Sandy Island
Sandy Island isn’t just another sandbar. It’s a 9,165-acre freshwater island, making it the largest undeveloped freshwater island on the East Coast. The island is composed of ancient sand dunes sitting between two rivers, with a mix of tidal freshwater marsh, wetland forest, and longleaf pine uplands.
The island has been home to a small community for over 150 years, and to this day, fewer than 100 residents live there. They still travel to the mainland by boat for work and school. There are no bridges, no roads in or out. When a bridge was proposed about 30 years ago, the residents fought to keep the island the way it’s always been, and they won.
About three-fourths of the island is protected as The Nature Conservancy’s Sandy Island Preserve, their largest preserve in South Carolina. It’s home to the federally endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, carnivorous pitcher plants, and some of the oldest live oak trees you’ll ever see.
Why a Pontoon Boat Is the Perfect Way to Get There
You could take a kayak. You could take a fishing boat. But a pontoon is hands-down the best way to make a day out of Sandy Island.
Here’s why:
- Room for everyone. Our pontoons seat up to 9 passengers, and our tritoons fit 12. Bring the whole family or your friend group and spread out.
- Bring everything you need. Coolers, snacks, towels, floats, a Bluetooth speaker. There’s plenty of deck space to set up for the day.
- Flat, calm water the entire way. The Intracoastal Waterway is protected from wind and waves. No seasickness, no rough water. Just smooth cruising through some of the most beautiful scenery on the Grand Strand.
- No boating license required. South Carolina doesn’t require a boating license, so anyone can captain the boat.
- Fuel is included. Every rental includes all the fuel you need for the trip, so there’s no worrying about gas costs on the way back.
- Bimini shade top and Bluetooth stereo come standard on every boat.
Whether you book a half-day or full-day rental, you’ll have plenty of time to cruise down, spend time at the island, and explore the waterway on the return trip.
What to Do at Sandy Island
Once you pull up to the sandy shoreline, the day is yours. Here’s what makes the stop so special:
Swim and wade. The water along the island’s edge is shallow and calm, perfect for kids and anyone who wants to cool off. It’s freshwater, so no salt and no sting.
Beach the boat and explore. Pull the pontoon right up to the sand, anchor, and walk the shoreline. The sand dunes are ancient, and the landscape feels completely untouched.
See the 600-year-old live oak. One of the most talked-about landmarks on Sandy Island is a massive live oak tree that’s been standing for centuries. Our jet ski tour guides point it out on every trip, and it’s just as impressive from the ground.
Wildlife spotting. Keep your eyes open for alligators basking on the banks, turtles stacked on logs, great blue herons in the shallows, and osprey overhead. The island is a wildlife refuge, and it shows.
Hike the Larry Paul Trail. If you want to stretch your legs, this two-mile loop trail takes you through the island’s interior. Longleaf pines, Spanish moss, and quiet that you just don’t find on the Grand Strand.
Visit Pyatt’s General Store. A small shop on the island sells snacks, refreshments, and Gullah folk art. It’s a great way to support the local community and bring home something unique.
What Our Guests Say About Sandy Island
Our guests have been making the trip to Sandy Island for years, whether by pontoon or on our guided jet ski tour. Here’s what they have to say:
“This was our fifth time renting a pontoon boat from IAW. The staff is amazing and the equipment is top notch. It’s an added benefit that the fuel is included in the very fair rental price. Traveling down the Intracoastal Waterway is so beautiful. Stopping to play at Sandy Island Beach is a lot of fun.” — Terry B.
“I would’ve paid double looking back! You will experience the most beautiful scenery imaginable while on these back trails and uniquely special open waterways! We felt like it was our very own private tour! The perk of all perks was stopping at Sand Island! An UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE!” — Angela D.
“We were in Myrtle Beach for a company retreat and wanted a water based team experience. The jet ski tour with Danny and Island Adventure Watersports was the highlight of our week. A quick stop at Sandy Island to see the 600 year old live oak was a nice bonus. 10/10 highly recommend.” — Joshua M.
“About an hour into the tour we took a break at Sandy Island, a 9,000 acre wildlife refuge, where our guide was informative and described some of the history of the island.” — Google Review
“The inlet and river was just breathtaking. We rode to Sandy Island, walked and talked a bit about the island, then back on the Wave Runner. Now this was FUN, a must do.” — TripAdvisor Review
With over 1,000 five-star reviews across Google, TripAdvisor, and Yelp, trips to Sandy Island are consistently one of the most memorable parts of our guests’ vacations.
Our Jet Ski Tour Stops at Sandy Island Too
If a pontoon day trip isn’t your speed, our guided backcountry jet ski tour makes a stop at Sandy Island as part of the two-hour ride through the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge.
The tour covers roughly 50 to 60 miles of waterway, weaving through narrow backwater channels, past alligator dens and osprey nests, with a break at Sandy Island to stretch your legs, take photos, and hear the history from your guide. It’s a completely different way to experience the island, combining high-speed riding with nature and history.
The jet ski tour is our most popular activity and regularly books out days in advance during the summer. If Sandy Island is on your bucket list and you don’t want to captain your own boat, this is the way to do it.
Learn more about the guided jet ski tour.
Tips for Your Sandy Island Pontoon Trip
Planning your first trip down the waterway? Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Book a full-day rental if Sandy Island is your main destination. A half-day works, but a full day gives you time to really enjoy the stop without rushing back.
- Pack a cooler. There’s a small store on the island, but you’ll want drinks, snacks, and lunch for the boat.
- Bring sunscreen and a hat. Even with the Bimini top, you’ll be in the sun when you’re off the boat.
- Waterproof phone case. You’ll want photos of the island, the wildlife, and that 600-year-old oak.
- Wear shoes you can get wet. Water shoes or old sneakers for walking the island. The sand can be hot.
- Arrive 15 minutes early for your rental so we can walk you through the boat and get you on the water on time.
- Stay in the marked channels on the ICW. Your safety briefing will cover everything you need to know about navigating the waterway.
Book Your Sandy Island Adventure
Sandy Island is one of those places that makes people say “I had no idea this was here.” It’s a 9,000-acre nature preserve with a living Gullah community, ancient live oaks, and a shoreline where you can beach a pontoon and have the whole place to yourself. And it’s right here on the Intracoastal Waterway, just south of Myrtle Beach.
Rent a pontoon or tritoon from Island Adventure Watersports and make the trip yourself. We’ve been putting families on the water from our dock on Dick Pond Road for over 12 years, and Sandy Island is one of our favorite recommendations.
Book a Pontoon Boat Rental | Guided Jet Ski Tour | Call Us: (843) 650-7003
