Paddling The ACE Basin

Combahee River

The Combahee River and its tributaries are well known for abundant bird life. During the fall and winter, eagles and waterfowl are common. Spring brings migratory songbirds and numerous ospreys and Mississippi kites. Cruising alligators are common during the warmer months. The river borders several segments of the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge and there are many old broken-banked ricefields available for exploration. Visitors may recognize scenery from the movie "Forrest Gump" as they paddle the river. Freshwater fishing for redbreast and largemouth bass is excellent.

Trip: Highway 17-A to Line Canal

Launch: Beaufort County Landing, Hwy. 17-A, Yemassee
Land: Line Canal bridge-SC-66 just beyond Bluff Plantation near White Hall, Colleton County
Length: 5 hours
Tide: Put in on falling tide. Tides are 5-6 hours behind Charleston Harbor.
Highlights: River view of Cherokee Plantation (host to Shell's Wonderful World of Golf competition between Ernie Els and David Duvall, April 10, 2000, to be aired internationally October 3, 2000), ruins of the old "Tea House", and large expanses of broken ricefields. The bluff at the junction of Line Canal and the Combahee River is where Forrest fished with his son. Several sand bars offer swimming opportunities.

Trip: Line Canal to Steel Bridge

Launch: Throw-in at Line Canal bridge on SC-66 at Bluff Plantation near Whitehall, Colleton County
Land: Steel Bridge Landing, U.S. 17, Beaufort County
Length: 5-6 hours by kayak. Experienced canoers, 8 hours. Not recommended for inexperienced canoeists.
Tide: Recommended early falling tide only. Tides are 5 hours behind Charleston at launch site.
Highlights: "Forrest Gump" scenery of Bluff Plantation, view of Parkers Plantation on Beaufort side (former home of W. Somerset Maugham).

Trip: Cuckhold's Creek to Highway 17

Launch: Cuckhold's Creek Landing, Hwy. 66 near White Hall, Colleton County
Land: Steel Bridge Landing, U.S. 17, Beaufort County
Length: 5-6 hours
Tide: Launch on early falling tide. Tides at Cuckhold's landing are 5-6 hours behind Charleston Harbor.
Highlights: Excellent bird habitat in Cuckhold's Creek with broken bank ricefields available for exploring. During late spring and early summer spider lilies bloom along the banks. A view of the Combahee Plantation house on the right is available shortly after put in. Once Cuckhold's Creek enters the Combahee, wind and tides can make for difficult paddling. Ashepoo Combahee Edisto

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