Charleston SC Waterfront living | Charleston SC ocean front and deepwater homes for sale

A traditional nickname for Charleston is “City By the Sea”, and no other historic downtown area in the United States is so close to the ocean. Standing along the High Battery, Murray Boulevard or Waterfront Park, it’s easy to sea the Atlantic Ocean and ships entering Charleston harbor. The Charleston peninsula is surrounded on three sides by the Ashley River, the Cooper River, and the harbor, which is roughly six square miles of water connecting the inland to the sea.

Charleston Harbor is what’s known in marine biology as a vertical estuary, where heavier fresh water from the rivers lifts lighter salt water from the Atlantic. The river flow carries soil and plant particles that give the water a grayish hue, but beneath the surface are abundant fish, shrimp and crabs and everything that feeds on them. On brisk windy days when the breezes come in from the sea, the blue-gray salt water offers better visibility in the harbor, as dolphins and drum can be seen swimming gracefully by.

Intracoastal waterway - Sullivans Island and Isle of Plams

 

Unlike many American cities, most of Charleston’s downtown waterfront is residential, with grand historic homes facing seaward along East and South Battery, condominiums tastefully overlooking Waterfront Park and the Cooper River, and a mix of Victorian dwellings, new construction and condos facing westward along the Ashley River.

The neighboring areas surrounding Charleston were historically built along rivers and inlets for easy access to the city by boat, and to this day, one of the quickest ways to get downtown is by walking down a priavte dock, stepping in a boat and taking the short trip to one of the city’s marina facilities.

James Island, Mount Pleasant, and West Ashley feature homes that offer great views of the old city from across the Ashley and Cooper rivers, as suggested by neighborhood names such as Molasses Creek, Grassy Creek, Stono Ferry, Coosaw Creek, and Headquarters Island.

Local barrier islands jsut outside the city have oceanfront that is almost exclusively residential, and the Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island and Folly Beach also all feature extensive inland properties overlooking marsh estuary and the Intracoastal Waterway.

Another captivating location is a house or lot along the miles of tidal creeks that wend throughout the Charleston area. These expansive areas of pristine Spartina grasses and winding waterways are haven for shrimp crabs and fish, as well as a natural rookery for wading birds such as egrets, herons and ibis.

Hobcaw Creek, Shem Creek, James Island Creek and Horlbeck Creek are just a few of the many spectacular wetlands that grace the Charleston area.

Inland islands also provide scenic waterfront vistas, and Daniel’s Island, Johns Island and Edisto Island offer exquisite homesites and new construction designed to showcase the views over marshes, creeks and rivers. 

Featured Listings

Look at our Latest listed properties and check out the features on them. Contact Us today to schedule a showing any day of the week.

  • 7555 Ladys Secret Lane Awendaw $1,950,000.00

    7555 Ladys Secret Lane · Awendaw

    New construction on deep water with amazing sunset views! If you are looking for a peaceful setting

    $1,950,000.00 View Now
  • 108 Westminster Avenue Summerville $479,000.00

    108 Westminster Avenue · Summerville

    Welcome to highly sought after Ashborough East, where you'll find a handsome two story house with lo

    $479,000.00 View Now
  • 709 Parish Road Charleston $795,000.00

    709 Parish Road · Charleston

    Welcome to 709 Parish Rd! A stunning property located in the highly desirable Moreland community in

    $795,000.00 View Now
  • 4026 Azalea Farms Way NULL McClellanville $1,175,000.00

    4026 Azalea Farms Way NULL · McClellanville

    Welcome to 4026 Azalea Farms Way, a 3604 square foot home just off of Highway 17. Nestled on a one-a

    $1,175,000.00 View Now
  • 3922 Ashton Shore Lane Mount Pleasant $3,500,000.00

    3922 Ashton Shore Lane · Mount Pleasant

    Introducing an exquisite waterfront home in Park Island by Fox Creek Homes. This private gated commu

    $3,500,000.00 View Now
  • 377 Lofton Court McClellanville $2,300,000.00

    377 Lofton Court · McClellanville

    Historic McClellanville is Lowcountry living at its finest. Surrounded by St James-Santee Parish (t

    $2,300,000.00 View Now
  • 4180 Victory Pointe Drive Mount Pleasant $2,799,000.00

    4180 Victory Pointe Drive · Mount Pleasant

    NEW CONSTRUCTION!!! Completion expected in January 2024!!This elegant Lowcountry gem boasts stunnin

    $2,799,000.00 View Now
  • 717 Central Avenue Summerville $650,000.00

    717 Central Avenue · Summerville

    Charming 2 bedroom apartment in the heart of Summerville with flex space below and over 60' of stree

    $650,000.00 View Now
  • 309 Tall Oak Avenue Charleston $779,000.00

    309 Tall Oak Avenue · Charleston

    Come enjoy the fabulous Lowcountry lifestyle in this remodeled Charleston bungalow! 309 Tall Oak Av

    $779,000.00 View Now
  • 245 Waccamaw Drive Murrells Inlet $1,699,999.00

    245 Waccamaw Drive · Murrells Inlet

    Welcome to paradise in Garden City, South Carolina! This stunning 6-bedroom, 4-bathroom beach house

    $1,699,999.00 View Now