Sharks, shipwrecks, yachts and blackwater swamps: 7 unique budget to baller water-centric Carolina attractions

Location: Beidler Forest Audobon Center & Sanctuary (Harleyville, SC)
Price: $10 park admission, $20 – $30 guided canoe/kayak trip

Honestly, this place scares me to death because it’s remote and wildlife runs the show (just look at these photos from visitors). But if you want to canoe alongside gators and 1,000-year-old cypress trees, it’s the place to be. Even the guided canoe trips are described as “man vs. nature at its best” so don’t expect some kind of watered down theme park experience.

There are no accommodations on the property (probably for the best, yes?), but there are some really cool Airbnb rentals (like this and this) in nearby Summerville. You’re also about an hour from Charleston if you want to continue on to the coast.

Visit North Carolina’s famous wild island horses

Location: Cape Lookout National Seashore
Price: Cabin rentals are $84 – $168 per night (accommodates 6)

Cape Lookout National Seashore was named Best National Park Beach last year and for good reason. The park’s three barrier islands are home to rare populations of wild horses and some of the best shelling beaches in the state.

Most of the horses are on Shackleford Banks, which is accessible by ferry from different locations. You can stay overnight in nearby budget-friendly park cabins.

In another life, I am one of these wild island horses.

Scuba dive a shark-infested shipwreck

Location: Olympus Dive Center (Morehead City, NC)
Price: $70 – $$155 per diver

The North Carolina coast is known as The Graveyard of the Atlantic for the estimated 2,000 sunken ships in the area and it’s consistently named the #1 wreck diving site in North America. The area is also home to large numbers of sandsharks, an intimidating but docile creature ranging in size from 4 to 8 feet long.

Olympus hosts dive trips to 19 different shipwrecks and sharks are most common at the Spar, Papoose, Atlas, Caribsea and Aeolus.

Check the diver requirements before going to make sure you qualify for the trip.

Canoe the Edisto River to a remote treehouse campground along the banks

Location: Carolina Heritage Outfitters Edisto River Refuge (Canadys, SC)
Price: $150 – $180 per person for 1 night (includes your canoes, shuttle services, secure parking, etc.)

Rustic treehouse accommodations are located at the halfway point on a 23-mile canoe river trip. On day one, you’ll canoe 13 miles to your remote riverside treehouse for an off-grid overnight stay and then wrap up the final 10 miles on day 2. Treehouse package details.

Rent a houseboat in Charleston

Location: Seabreeze Marina (Downtown Charleston, SC)
Price: $189/night (accommodates 3 people)

This is a water adventure for an urban, indoorsy type.

You’ll stay on the water in an adorable fully refurbished houseboat featured on Tiny House Hunters. It has 12-foot vaulted ceilings, a rooftop deck and bikes for getting around town. Booking details on Airbnb.

Rent a private island off the North Carolina coast

Location: Sands Island (Swannsboro, NC)
Price: $383/night (accommodates 4-6 people)

A 2-bedroom cottage is the lone structure on your own private 32-acre island. It’s only accessible by boat and your booking includes a 19′ motor boat. Booking details on VRBO.

So cool.

Charter a yacht to the Bahamas

Location: Departs from Charleston
Price: Starting at $7,500+ per week

You heard me. If you think commercial flights are for chumps, Motoryacht Southern Comfort will get you to the islands in style on one of 15 yachts in their fleet. Prices vary by ship but if you’re eyeing the Sweetwater, they say if you have to ask, you can’t afford it. For the record, I do have to ask and it starts at $26,000 per week and I can’t afford it.

Little much? Their most popular charter is a shorter, more affordable 3-day trip from Charleston to Hilton Head, Beaufort or Savannah starting at $1,875.

Header photo shows Charleston houseboat rental via Airbnb