Berths in Charleston
Marinas, pilotage, anchorages and clearance rules for yachts that come to Charleston. Captains and managers should check each marina for current berth details.
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Superyacht marinas in Charleston
Figures come from the marina operators and the City of Charleston.
| Marina | Berths | Maximum length | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Harbor Charleston City, 7 Lockwood Drive | Wet slips 30 to 455 ft. Transient slips 35 to 455 ft | 455 ft | 843.723.5098, VHF 16 |
| Charleston Maritime Center, 10 Wharfside Street | Transient dockage, 25 ft minimum | 120 ft | 843-853-3625 |
| Charleston Harbor Marina, 24 Patriots Point Rd, Mt Pleasant | 459 wet slips from 33 to 66 ft. Five transient slips up to 100 ft | 120 ft | (843) 284-7062 |
Safe Harbor lists a maximum beam of 65 ft and a maximum draft of 18.5 ft. Dockwalk says the marina takes vessels to 138 metres, but its specification box lists a maximum length of 91 m and a maximum draught of 7.5 m.
Services by marina
Port entry and pilotage
Charleston pilotage
Pilotage is compulsory for all foreign vessels and for all US vessels under register in the foreign trade. It is optional for US coastwise vessels with a federally licensed pilot on board. Charleston Branch Pilots Association: 843-577-6695. The pilot office monitors VHF 13, 14, 16 and 18A, 24 hours. Give at least 3 hours notice of arrival at the sea buoy and of departure (NOAA Coast Pilot 4).
Boarding and depth
Pilots board day or night near Charleston Entrance Lighted Buoy C for Pilot Area A, near Lighted Buoy 2 for Area B and near Lighted Buoy 6 for Area C. Tides range 5.2 ft on average. Pilots generally require a 4 ft margin under the hull. Small craft should never anchor by the stern or moor to rock jetties, aids to navigation or bridge abutments (NOAA Coast Pilot 4).
Hurricane advice
NOAA Coast Pilot 4: Charleston Harbor offers few of the characteristics of a haven during hurricane force winds. Large ships should evade at sea or seek shelter elsewhere. Smaller vessels should stay fast or seek shelter along the west side of the Cooper River, northward of the Battery. The highest storm tide on record was 12.5 ft above MLLW in Hurricane Hugo, September 1989.
Clearance and licence
Customs port of entry
Charleston is a customs port of entry (NOAA Coast Pilot 4). The US Customs and Border Protection port office is at 200 East Bay Street, Charleston SC 29401. CBP lists Vessel Entrance and Clearance at (854) 214-7099, Monday to Friday 7:00 to 15:00 ET, and (843) 579-6500 after hours. Under 19 CFR 4.94, a pleasure vessel not subject to entry reports its arrival at once. A foreign yacht without a cruising licence must follow the laws for foreign vessels. Check the rules for your flag.
Cruising licence
A cruising licence under 19 CFR 4.94 is valid for a stated period of up to one year. The vessel must not engage in trade. The rule lists the countries whose yachts can hold one. The yacht owner or master applies to the port director.
Sources. Checked 8 November 2026.
- NOAA NCEI, 1991 to 2020 monthly normals, Charleston City
- US National Hurricane Center, climatology
- NOAA Coast Pilot 4, chapter 6
- 33 CFR 110.173, Port of Charleston anchorages
- Charleston Branch Pilots Association
- 19 CFR 4.94, cruising licence
- 22 CFR 41.41, crewmen
- US Customs and Border Protection, Charleston port
- Safe Harbor Charleston City
- Dockwalk, Safe Harbor Charleston City
- Soundings, Safe Harbor Charleston City Mega Dock
- Charleston Harbor Marina, boats
- Charleston Harbor Marina, contact
- Charleston Harbor Marina, fuel and services
- City of Charleston, Maritime Center
- City of Charleston, Maritime Center slip rates, June 2026
- Charleston Race Week
- UKSA annual superyacht salary guide 2025
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