Hello, Adventurers! Welcome to the Coastal Expeditions blog! If you love outdoor activities such as hiking, paddling, exploring nature and learning about wildlife, you’ve come to the right place! Here on the Coastal Expeditions blog we dive deep into different habitats, excursions, conservation efforts and nature programs. To our return readers, thank you for your support! We commend you for being committed to learning. Our site is filled with interactive maps, destination guides, and educational resources. Speaking of educational resources, The Outdoor School consists of afterschool programs, weekly camps, school field trips and more! We offer hands-on workshops taught by highly-trained guides on wilderness skills, birding, identifying native plants, sustainability, kayaking, and camping. Basically anything you want to learn about, we teach! If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take a look around our site to learn more about our offerings. If you are an educator interested in planning a fun trip for the students at your school, do not hesitate to reach out to us!

Our last article was a super interesting deep dive into one of our favorite places: the Lowcountry! While most people’s knowledge of the Lowcountry usually extends as far as “it’s low, right?”, we want to work on changing that! The Lowcountry has its own unique history and plenty of natural attributes which set it apart from other regions in the state of South Carolina. We took a look at how the Lowcountry came to be, what makes the Lowcountry special, and what you might not have known about the Lowcountry’s past. Underneath our feet lies an ancient history, waiting to be told. From the time of the dinosaurs, to the present day, to the future beyond–come along with us on a ride through the Lowcountry! We’ll make sure to point out interesting flora and fauna along the way! You can read more in our article, ‘The Natural History of the Lowcountry’!

Today’s article is all about blackwater creeks, with an emphasis on the kayak tour we offer. You can use this article as a reference for your own trip with us or as inspiration for learning how to kayak! We’ll walk through what makes blackwater creeks special before delving into what you can expect from our guides. Then, for good measure, we’ll give you a few tips on how best to prepare for your expedition. Of all of our destinations, the Black River is a special spot, beloved by adventurers and guides alike. Why? Well, read more to find out!

What is the Black River?

The Black River is a whopping 151 miles long and stretches through Sumter, Clarendon, and Williamsburg before joining the Great Pee Dee River in the country of Georgetown. The name of the Native American tribe which once lived by this river, the Winyaw, was thought to mean “people of the black water.” The dark-tinged waters achieve their color from tannin, the same chemical found in wine, coffee, and tea, which seeps from plant material of the surrounding swamps. Tannins work within the body to remove harmful microbes, bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Tannins also speed up the blood clotting process, enabling cuts and wounds to heal faster. Tannins can also stabilize blood pressure. When vegetation in swamps and wetlands decay, they leach tannins, which raises the acidity of the water and causes the water to resemble black tea. This change in water composition leads to unique conditions, allowing different flora and fauna to flourish than say a whitewater or clearwater river. For example, the American chaffseed (a perennial herb) and the swallow-tailed kite (a slender raptor) are both considered to be endangered species in the state of South Carolina and both species call the Black River home. Likewise, the Black River is home to incredibly old bald cypresses, majestic trees which can grow to be 120 feet tall with massive trunks 3 to 6 feet wide. These ancient royals live long lives of up to 600 years.

Only seventy-five miles of the Black River is designated as State Scenic River. This designation was bestowed in June of 2001 and represents the portion of the river from State Roach 40 Bridge (or June Burn Road) to the Pea House Landing in Georgetown. According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, this designation serves “the conservation of SC’s river heritage through the proper management of the natural and cultural character of the state’s river corridors. As is stated in the South Carolina Scenic Rivers Act of 1989, this program has the purpose of protecting “unique or outstanding scenic, recreational, geologic, botanical, fish, wildlife, historic or cultural values” of selected rivers or river segments in the state.” This designation is the first step to federal recognition, which comes in the form of a Wild & Scenic Rivers designation bestowed by Congress. According to the Forest Services in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this designation is “our nation’s strongest form of protection for free-flowing rivers and streams. [These rivers] have remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic or other similar values that led Congress to add these waterways to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.”

The Black River opens up into lake-like basins and closes back into narrow creeks, providing a dynamic trip for those inclined to brave its glassy waters. Whether morning or evening, the river gives off an almost eerie calmness, unperturbed by the animals which call its surrounding forests home. White sandbars line the edges of the river–a stark contrast against the black water. According to Paul Laurent, with the Black River Outdoors Center and The Nature Conservancy, “[the] Black River is one of the most incredible canoe and kayak destinations in the state.” The Black River is one of four freshwater rivers which make up Winyah Bay. The Conservancy works to ensure the river remains untouched and secluded. In a place which seems to have been forgotten by time, you might just find yourself lost. Take up the mantle of adventure and see what the Black River has in store for you!

About Our Tours

We offer several expeditions paddling in the blackwater as the destination, including: the Blackwater Kayak Tour | ACE Basin, the Blackwater Kayak Tour | Black River, the Blackwater Tour | Francis Marion National Forest, the Santee Delta River Cruise to Hampton Plantation, and the Santi to Sea Camping + Kayaking. The Blackwater Kayak Tour | Black River is the expedition most dominated by the Black River and includes a half-day of gentle kayaking along the river’s wide expanse. You can book this as a private tour for groups of six or larger, or join along on an existing tour with available spots. All gear, including kayaks, PDF instructions, and paddles, will be included. The tour is accessible for beginner and advanced kayakers alike. You’ll want to don a pair of tennis shoes which perform well when wet, a hat which covers your face from the sun, synthetic (rather than cotton) clothing, layers (for cooler temperatures), a water bottle, sunscreen, and food. There will be plenty of breaks to drink and hydrate!

Now, the Blackwater Kayak Tour in the ACE Basin could be considered the sister of the Black River tour. The ACE Basin is a remarkable conservation effort afforded to us by organizations such as the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, the Lowcountry Land Trust, and private landowners interested in preserving the natural beauty of the Black River. This tour consists of many isolated trails, inaccessible with a kayak. Now is the perfect time to book this tour as late fall sees the blossoming of wildflower patches along the banks of the river. Many birds, reptiles, and mammals will join you for your trip, including: bald eagles, otters, warblers, osprey, owls, and alligators! We must time these tours to coincide with the tides, therefore these tours are limited in number and highly special!

The blackwater tour in the Francis Marion National Forest is a magical place. Meanwhile, the Santee Delta River Cruise takes the physical exertion out of the trip and allows you to sit back and soak in the wonder on your way to Hampton Plantation! Finally, the blackwater ecosystem is featured in the multi-day trip from the Santee Delta to the sea!

You can find all of these tours and more on our site! Just choose one of the blackwater tours as your destination and scroll through several options. We hope to see you out on the water soon, enjoying all the blackwater creeks the Lowcountry has to offer! Until next time, readers. Get out there and explore! Adventure awaits!