Explore Palmetto Bluff and Beyond

Explore the rich waters of Bluffton's May River with a relaxing cruise aboard the Lowcountry's most comfortable vessel, the Live Oac Odyssey. It's an ideal way to meet creatures such as Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin, the talented "Fish Hawk," and other birds and wildlife.

If you have yet to explore Palmetto Bluff and neighboring historic Bluffton from the water, you are missing half the view! Led by an educated interpretive naturalist and US Coast Guard licensed captain, this cruise is intended to relax, inspire, and educate. Duration is 2 hours.

Please Note: Due to the exclusive nature of this program, and the strict guide experience requirements of Live Oac, opportunities for Flats Boat fishing are extremely limited and tend to sell out well in advance for peak times April through September. Please book early!

Among the multitude of opportunities for fishing in the Lowcountry, a true Flats Boat fishing excursion is ideal for coastal marsh fishing. Setup for 1 or 2 people fishing, plus your experienced guide, this excursion offers the best approach for real Lowcountry fishing. A Flats Boat offers an intimate, personalized experience that larger fishing vessels cannot provide, and the unique ability to explore the marsh shallows. Sight casting opportunities abound for Redfish (a.k.a. "Spot Tail Bass"), approachable year-round, and other species vary by season (Speckled Trout, Cobia, Tarpon, Sharks, Spanish Mackerel and more!). Fly, spin, and conventional tackle are available.

There are few true Flats Boats operating in the area, due to the tremendous experience required for this skilled approach to angling. Live Oac is proud to offer this superb fishing experience to our clients who are more selective about fishing our coastal estuaries with only the most experienced guides. Live Oac fishing guides have a minimum 10 years fishing experience in local waters.

For parties of 3 people or more, we suggest either splitting up for ideal fishing via a flats boat, or selecting another type of inshore fishing charter on a larger vessel accommodating 4-6 persons. Live Oac is happy to arrange such charters upon request.

Flats Boat Fishing duration is 4 hours, and all equipment and licensing is provided.

Join us for a fishing experience you'll not soon forget! Our Shark Fishing excursions are designed to be fun, exciting, and educational, and employ what we think is the most comfortable shark fishing boat in the Lowcountry.

We offer morning and evening shark fishing during prime times for the most excitement and comfort. Our evening trips are most popular, as you'll also have the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful Lowcountry sunset, and we'll likely see some dolphin along the way, too, regardless of time.

Shark Fishing is aimed at the NON-serious fisherman, looking to have a good time fishing, fighting a "monster"*, and kicking back Lowcountry style with friends. (*Our "monsters" are typically in the 3-4 foot range. For true "monster" shark fishing, or more serious angling of lowcountry sport fish, we'll hook you up with an offshore charter with a suitable vessel and experienced guide upon request.)

Duration is 3 hours, and all equipment and licensing is provided.

The Bluffton History & Gallery Experience combines a water-based journey through the wildlife rich estuary of the May River with a walking excursion through historic Bluffton. On our "trip back through time" we'll paint a picture in your mind of the historic May River, once part of the transportation network of the old south, where river boats moved people and goods from place to place.

We'll view historic places such as Potato Island, Myrtle Island, the Church of the Cross, and the last-of-a-kind Bluffton Oyster Company. Our journey by foot through old town Bluffton includes visits to quaint galleries and shops as well as exploration of the few buildings spared burning during the Civil War. Duration can be 2 to 3 hours depending on exploration time on land, as requested.

Watersports such as Waterskiing, Wakeboarding, and "Tubing" are a blast behind the Live Oac Odyssey.

Choose from a number of towable equipment options, including Wakeboards, Kneeboards, Water Skis, and a Water Tube that accomodates 1-3 people depending on size (1-2 adults or up to 3 small children).

The Live Oac Odyssey departs Palmetto Bluff for the excellent waters of Bull Creek. This creek is ideally situated about 15-20 minutes from Palmetto Bluff, offering tree-lined protection from typical lowcountry winds so that you'll be more likely to experience calm water skiing. Other nearby creeks offer alternatives if the weather isn't "just right" for Bull Creek.

Watersports Adventures are offered by the hour to suit your schedule and group.

The Live Oac Lowcountry Estuary Journey™ is a profound experience created exclusively for Palmetto Bluff location based offerings. The Journey is an experience both of geographical, historical, and natural proportions.

As we depart Palmetto Bluff, we'll step back in time to experience the history and nature of the area known now as the May River. Our exploration leads us from the headwaters of the river, and the earliest history of the lowcountry, toward the river's end, and a transition through to modern times. We'll criss-cross the tidal creeks that connect this salt marsh estuary, and connect as well the historic events, wildlife and natural processes with those of our own lives. You'll learn that "connections" are the key to the estuaries of the Lowcountry's rich history, culture, and nature.

Featured locations on our journey include the May River, historic Bluffton, Myrtle Island, Potato Island, Bull Creek, Bull Island, Savage Island, Hilton Head Island, Harbortown, Daufuskie Island, and a variety of little known marsh creeks in the Palmetto Bluff area. This opportunity is an intellectual experience led exclusively by Live Oac founder Blair Willis. Dates and times vary according to tides, duration is 3 to 4 hours, and availability is extremely limited.