Incredible heart-stopping South Carolina sunsets over miles and miles of water don't just happen on the coast! And if you have dreamed of living on or near a large body of water, but don't want to live near the ocean, Wyboo Plantation on the Santee Cooper Lake System may be just the right place for you.

Located in the heart of South Carolina low country, the Santee Cooper Lake System contains two deep rivers (the Santee River and Cooper River), two lovely lakes (Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie), and a free flowing canal that connects them all. There are 171,000 acres of navigable water, from just outside Columbia, SC to Charleston, SC and the Intracoastal Waterway. Power and sail boating, water sports of all types, and swimming can be enjoyed on the Santee Cooper Lake System.

 

Natural Setting

Although Lake Marion has plenty of waterfront access most of the shoreline has been preserved in its natural state. Once out of the sloughs around the lake the first thing you notice is that almost all of the shoreline along “the big water” remains natural. Only about 1/3 of Lake Marion’s shoreline can ever be developed. Most is preserved as National Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife Management Areas, or State Parks. 

Much of the preserved shoreline of Lake Marion is open to the public at various times throughout the year. With hiking, bike, and driving trails, the Santee National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. The refuge’s 16,000 acres supports over 150 bird species 43 mammal species, and 88 amphibian and reptile species. The Christmas Bird Count and the annual Santee Birding and Nature Festival give nature lovers an excellent opportunity to explore some of the inner reaches of the refuge with experts to guide them. 

 

Nature in Wyboo Plantation

Wonderful old oak trees, spanish moss, and other mature natural habitat are an integral part of the Plantation. Houses playfully dot the landscape and offer spectacular views of the wetlands and old oaks. Live oak groves that once provided shade for farm houses now provide habitat for song birds and food for the numerous wild turkey and deer. 

Because the miles of water and protected shorelines in the Santee Cooper Lake System limit human encroachment in our area, sightings of wild turkeys, deer, herons and bald eagles are commonplace in Wyboo Plantation. Lake Arbu is a favored hunting ground of the osprey which can often be seen diving into the water from high above and coming up with a bream or bass for dinner. 

 

Cruise from Wyboo to Charleston

Travel from Lake Moutltrie and the Cooper River to Charleston, SC. Wyboo property owners have direct access to the lake system through one of several private boat ramps and lifts. A leisurely day trip down the lake system takes you along miles of pristine nature preserves and dense hardwood forests, until you reach the locks at Pinopolis. There you take your turn at entering the locks and being lowered 80 feet from Lake Moultrie to the Cooper River, where you can dine at a wonderful lakeside restaurant. If you want a longer trip, you can travel all the way to Charleston Harbor. Have dinner and spend the night in one of Charleston's wonderful historic hotels, take in a tour or shop for antiques, and then return home to Wyboo in time for dinner.