Without the May River’s gentle breezes, there would be no Bluffton. As a matter of fact, the town itself is named for the fact that it was founded on a tall bluff jutting from the bank of the May. These waters served as the town’s lifeblood for a century. With each outgoing tide, oystermen would reap the harvest of the delicately briny-sweet morsels packed on the pluff mud flats. And when the tide rolled in, it would bring with it packet ships bearing goods and newspapers from Savannah and Charleston.
Even as Bluffton grew, the river retained its special spot in the hearts of Blufftonians. We may not rely on it for our food or for contact with the outside world, but it is still the site of summer days spent building memories.
One of the most popular spots on the river is the May River Sandbar. The largest of the three sandbars, it plays host to nearly every boater in town whenever the weather is right on a Sunday. If you want to see Bluffton truly celebrate its river, join the parade of boats following the tide in then throw down your anchor and prepare for a party.
But the May River is far more than just a party destination. Its tranquil tributaries, snaking between banks of Spartina grass where fiddler crabs skitter through the surf and mighty egrets take flight, make for some of the most peaceful kayaking in the South. Public ramps at Alljoy, Calhoun Street and Oyster Factory Park give you several options for putting in. From there you can paddle the whole length of the river, soaking in the splendid sights along the way. One tip – check the tides carefully, as they can be a bear to paddle against if you don’t time your trip right.
If you’re looking to reap the harvest of the river as locals have done for centuries, you’re in for one of the finest fishing experiences in the world. Step one will be to procure a Saltwater Fishing License from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. You can follow the link here and then simply show the license on your smart phone if asked. There are a handful of state and public oyster leases that allow for recreational shellfish harvesting if you want to break off a cluster for a roast. And if you’re looking for fish or shrimp, you’ll find the waters of the May overflowing with Red Fish and spotted sea trout.
If you’re lucky, you may even find some of the river’s rarer catches on the end of your line – delicious sheepshead, largemouth bass and lady fish.
And if you want to take a gentle swim, the waters of the May River offer the perfectly refreshing antidote to the high heat of summer. Just head past the old fishing cottages of All Joy Road to find Brighton Beach, a small sliver of tidal sands isolated from the heaviest tides by a bend in the river. Just feet away from where friendly dolphins traverse the tides, you can swim in the currents of the river and enjoy its pristine natural beauty just as generations of Blufftonians have before you.