Cooper River Underwater Heritage Trail

SOUTH CAROLINA'S FIRST UNDERWATER TRAIL IS OPEN!

The Cooper River Underwater Trail opened in South Carolina opened in October 1998. Trail dive boats (charter, private, or SCIAA boats) launch at a public boat landing and travel two miles up river past scenic marshland and tracts of properties that were formerly historic plantations belonging to some of the wealthiest large slave-holding families in South Carolina, many dating back to the colonial period. During a charter boat trip, the trail guides point out the abundance of wildlife, including alligators, water snakes and a variety of water birds. Marshlands, historic water-control structures, rice paddies, and a trappist monastery with a beautiful gardens line the river banks.


Mooring Buoy Marking the Location of Trail Site
From Left to Right:
Bruce Rippeteau, Director of the SC Institute of Archeology and Anthropology
Lynn Harris Underwater Archaeologist & Manager of the Sport Diver Program, SCIAA
Sergio Smith Owner of East Coast Dive Connection

Diving Advice

Underwater slates with the maps and history of each site will be sold through interested dive stores. Divers have the option of diving through a local dive store or charter business, or as individuals. It is recommended that they at least purchase the underwater maps. The best time to dive on these sites is during the incoming tide which counteracts the natural outflow of the river thereby lessening the strength of the current. Consult local tide tables for times of tides. Generally, tides in the trail area run about three and a half hours behind the listed times for Charleston harbor. Divers should descend down the mooring line to the monument which is equipped with signage that identifies the dive site and sponsors. A guide line is attached on the monument that leads to the site. Please do not anchor on or near the wreck. Use the mooring buoy.

Diving on historic wooden wrecks requires careful personal and equipment control to avoid damaging these fragile structures. All gauges, hoses, and other gear should be situated as to avoid entaglement. Avoid pulling on the structure to move about the site. During periods of heavy current divers should remain on the periphery of the site to lessen potentially adverse contact with the structure. When visiting each trail site please take only photographs and memories and leave only bubbles. To participate in an organized charter contact a local scuba diving store. To report any damage to the site or mooring system contact SCIAA at (843) 762-6105. Please help by clearing the weeds on the mooring line and wiping mud off the monument plaque.

SCIAA - Photo

Diving in South Carolina rivers is not for the inexperienced diver. Divers should use accepted safe diving practices, including the buddy system, the divers-down flag, and standard open water diving equipment, i.e., gloves and a sharp dive knife to cut monofilament line. Lights are also essential to illuminate these dark water dive sites. During the warmer months divers should be aware of the presence of alligators and snakes in the vicinity.

Many sport divers participated in the construction of this trail. Assistance was also provided by Hightower Construction, Berkeley County Public Works Department, the BCD Council of Goverments, East Coast Dive Connection and Charleston Scuba. This Underwater Diving Trail was sponsored in part by the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the University of South Carolina and the National Recreational Trails Program in cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism and the Federal Highway Administration of the US Department of Transportation.

For more information about the South Carolina Institute of Archeology and Anthropology's Sport Diver Archaeology Program Call the Charleston offfice at (843)762-6105


Visit the SCIAA Website
Information for this page taken from the
South Carolina Institute of Archeology and Anthropology's Website.

Cooper River Heritage Trail Sites

Mainpage |  Site 1  |  Site 2  | Site 3  |  Site 4  | Site 5  |  Site 6

AP News Article South Carolina unveils first underwater diving trail

SOUTH CAROLINA UNDERWATER ANTIQUITIES ACT OF 1991

South Carolina Dive Laws Page