Visitors should focus on taking in the city’s significance in American history, rather than seeking out options for snorkeling in Charleston.
The Holy City of Charleston, South Carolina has great signifinance in American history. Now, it is known for sunny weather, golf courses, and beach lounging on the South Carolina coast. Over seven million tourists visit Charleston every year and the city continues to market itself as a tourism destination. They visit nearby plantations, the historic downtown, and islands in the areas.
But despite its location on the coast, underwater activities are few and far between. Not too different from Myrtle Beach up the coast, the significant amount of silt in the rivers flowing to the ocean causes poor visibility in the waters. Snorkeling in Charleston is not pleasant and will cause disappointment. There are diving options for adventure seekers, but no shallow water activity here.
Charleston Snorkeling Profile:
- Water Visibility: Horrendous. It’s all swamp water.
- Current Strength: Below Average to Average. Good swells from time to time, especially by Folly Island.
- Coral Presence: None.
- Marine Life: Not much around the shore.
- Crowd: Can get crowded at times by Isle of Palms or Folly Island, but nowhere close to the crowds you see at some of the more popular destinations in Florida or the Gulf.
Getting There
Closest Airport: Charleston International Airport – 12 miles away, 20 minutes
The airport is actually located in North Charleston, the city’s neighbor to the north. There is one highway which connects visitors from airport to downtown Charleston, Interstate 26, which can experience severe traffic.
Closest Major City: Charleston
Charleston is the largest city in the state of South Carolina, and the 75th biggest metro area in the country. While on the smaller end on the spectrum of metropolitan areas, the city is a major resort destination and you should be able to find anything you need here.
Recommended Transportation Method to Destination: Flight into Charleston
Charleston International Airport is the busiest airport in South Carolina and a hub for Breeze Airways, which operates a network of flights in mid-major cities across the United States. Aside from commercial flights, the airport is also a major aviation hub. Boeing maintains an assembly center nearby and the U.S. Air Force houses an airfield in the airport.
Introduction
Originally founded in 1670 as Charles Town in honor of Charles II, the British crown, the city became a major center in the south during the colonial period. The port of Charleston was a major entry point of immigration in the south, and slave trading was especially popular. The city experienced significant growth during the 18th century and was one of the biggest cities in the colonies, thanks to the increase in slave population. It was a major fortification for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, and was the site of the largest defeat when General Benjamin Lincoln surrendered to General Henry Clinton in 1780.
Given its importance in the slavery trade, Charleston was a location of significance during the Civil War. Fort Sumter, just off the coast of the peninsula, was the site of the first full battle of the Civil War. Union forces inside the fort surrendered to the Confederates after hours of bombardment. Fort Sumter is just a thirty minute ferry ride from downtown and all history buffs should take a moment to soak in history.
Charleston’s tourism boom began during the 1920s following the publication of Albert Simons’ The Early Architecture of Charleston. Most of the city’s attractions are focused in the downtown area, which is a small peninsula that juts out into the Charleston harbor. You will experience the incredible preservation of homes and public buildings from the 18th century.
The city has taken tremendous steps to ensure that history is well preserved in the city for tourism purposes. As a result, there are strict regulations and limited land availability for historical purposes on consturction of new facilities within city proper. It is truly one of the few cities in the United States that feels like you are walking through history.
How is Snorkeling in Charleston?
Snorkeling in Charleston and South Carolina in general is not highly recommended. The rivers in the Low Country have lots of silt which carries into the Atlantic. As such, all you get is murky water so very little visibility. It’s unfortunate but this is throughout the entire coast of the state. To experience great snorkeling, you need to drive much further south. Otherwise, you are pretty much looking at mud, murky water with minimal marine ecosystem.
There are certain blogs and folks out there who claim that Edisto Beach State Park down the coast is a great place to snorkel. Unfortunately, those claims are misleading and largely incorrect. The murky water which you see on the coast of Charleston is still relatively the same murky water you see fifty miles south in Edisto Beach. But Edisto Beach is a tremendous place to visit, if you plan on being on the beach and above water.
This pretty much goes for any other beaches and islands in the area. It’s better to spend the precious time you have here doing something else than going underwater. So skip the snorkeling in Charleston and instead taste a bit of the rich American history.
Snorkeling in Charleston, SC Rating: 1/5 Snorkels – Yuck, Do Something Else!
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