Palmetto Bay Marina, Hilton Head

• Depth: deepest marina on the island
• Vessels: 150+ ft welcome
• Radio: VHF 16
• Open: 24 hours

Palmetto Bay Marina is on Helmsman Way, on the Broad Creek side of Hilton Head. It is the deepest marina on the island, a little under half a mile from the Intracoastal Waterway, with 22 feet of water at low tide and room for vessels of 150 feet and more. The docks have been renovated, the marina answers on VHF channel 16 and the dock is open around the clock. Visitors know it as the home of two boat clubs, several fishing charters and four waterfront restaurants. The other marinas on the island are in our directory.

Slips, Fuel and Showers

Transient and long-term boaters can tie up here, fuel up and use the showers. Slip and fuel rates change through the season, so call (843) 785-5000 or book through the marina's site rather than relying on a printed number. Boaters coming in from the Intracoastal Waterway should confirm the channel and tide with the dockmaster; the Hilton Head tide chart helps with timing.

Boat Clubs and Charters

Carefree Boat Club runs its Hilton Head fleet from this marina, at 75 Helmsman Way, which makes Palmetto Bay the place to look at boat clubs if you want to drive a boat on the island without owning one. Freedom Boat Club also keeps a Hilton Head fleet, and fishing and sightseeing charters leave from the docks here. Each company's card below links to its guide; the full boat-club comparison is on our Hilton Head boat rentals and boat clubs page.

Where to Eat on the Water

Four restaurants share the marina: Black Marlin Bayside Grill, Carolina Crab Company, the Hurricane Bar, and Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe for breakfast. Watching the boats come in at sunset is a regular reason to stop by without a boat.

Launching Your Own Boat

The marina is a slip-and-fuel marina and does not run a public ramp. The county's Cross Island ramp is a short drive away on Helmsman Way and is covered on our Hilton Head boat landings page.