Why should you choose Jarvis Creek over other locations?
Jarvis Creek is a small dead end creek which offers wildlife and connectivity to the Inter-coastal Water Way (I.C.W.). This estuary offers a wide selection of wildlife from dolphins, birds, crabs, oyster beds, shrimp, fish among other things in which may be seen in the creek.
Jarvis Creek is a great place to get away in nature and yet still be on the island. The timing of when you go out in the creek may depend a little more on what you will see. Generally, low-tide offers more wildlife and the higher-tide more routes.
Since Jarvis Creek is a side creek of the I.C.W. it offers a little more protection on breezy days from the elements and choppy waters unlike wide bodies of water such as the Sounds or the I.C.W. Since Jarvis Creek is a public creek but with only private access, which dead ends by Honey Horn Plantation and is fairly shallow at low-tide. This means for those beginners, kayaker’s with children and others who may not enjoy kayaking around boats that Jarvis Creek has very little boat traffic in it since the creek is not power boat friendly unlike Broad Creek. Sometimes the fisherman may come in around the mouth to fish but the creek limits majority of most motor boats while creating a great adventure for paddlers who can explore the wonders and nature which Jarvis Creek has to offer.
You can go out by yourself and explore or with family and friends turning your adventure into a great photo opportunity.
When is the best time to go kayaking in the creek? (More info on Q & A page)
Anytime is a great time to go kayaking in the creek (except during bad weather). If you are planning a guided tour, then your guide will plan a route depending on the tide. It is always recommended when going out kayaking to know the tides for the day or the time of the next rotation when you are going out in the water. If possible, plan a route in which you paddle against the current to start and then can ride the current back to the your end point. This way you do the hard stuff first, you can judge how far you can go and this way you can return safely with little energy. Check out the Hilton Head Tide charts.
At HIGH TIDE, you have a wide selection of routes to explore around in the creek and can get under some of the canopies of the oaks overhanging the creek. There is also a marsh maze (like a corn maze but in a kayak) which is fun to explore. Wildlife viewing at high-tide is a little more limited but the guide can help point you in the direction of sightings.
At MID-TIDE, you have the best of both worlds. There is still a selection of routes in which you can take creating a loop and explore out and about in the creek. The water is low enough where you can see some nature along the creek banks. The down-side of a mid-tide will be the current in at least one direction will be strong when you have to go against it.
At LOW-TIDE, there is limited selection in routes available for the kayaks since the creek is shallow then. The low-tide offers generally the best wildlife viewing. Birds like to do there fishing then along the shallow banks and low-tide has the highest odds of seeing dolphins feeding since they can trap the fish in the shallow waters.
After working up an appetite exploring Jarvis Creek, you can always come back and enjoy lunch or diner over looking Jarvis Creek at the Crazy Crab Restaurant.
The Google Map below shows the creek and some points, but we do not want to give away all our secret spots. The map is also shown at low-tide so you can see how your routes are limited then by the water.
