The parking lot is owned by the Dewees Island POA. Please plan to bring as few cars as possible. If you are a contractor or guest, please leave the front spaces for owners. You can pull up under the awning to unload your car into hand carts. Try to limit your family's use to no more than two carts.
Please be at the ferry dock at least 10 minutes before the departure time so the captain can correctly choose which boat to use. 4 carts of luggage and 12 people fit on the small ferry. 8 carts and 40 people can ride the large ferry. You may hand carry additional items or take them on the next run. After unloading your car, please park it and wait until disembarking passengers have unloaded, and then bring your cart down the dock. Do not place luggage down on the arrival dock.
Two ferries means that we can use the most efficient boat for the number of riders (this is one reason it's really helpful to be at the dock 10 minutes before departure: that's when the captain selects the most cost-efficient boat to run.) That is why you need to call the ferry on the return trip to the Isle of Palms: in order to assure you a seat on the boat. Please tell the captain how many people, dogs, and luggage carts to expect.
The ferry is on demand from the Dewees Island side: in order to save resources, the ferry doesn't run if there are no riders. This means you must call the ferry at 843-568-3990 to reserve a spot back to the mainland. The crew only keeps track of the calls for that hour, so you need to call between the time the boat leaves Dewees (at 30 minutes past the hour) and the time it arrives on the Isle of Palms (50 minutes past the hour) and the captain needs to decide which ferry to use. Be sure to tell them how many people and pets, as well as how much luggage.
On the IOP side, going to Dewees: if space is limited, owners take first priority, then guests, real estate clients, renters, contractors, and staff.
The captain and crew have the authority to make decisions in the best interest of safety and comfort. Please wear a shirt and shoes and be respectful of those riding with you. Remain seated until the captain says it's okay to unload. Pets must be on a leash or in a carrier. The captain may refuse passage to anyone not abiding these guidelines.
There is no means by which you can pay for the ferry on the boat. If you are an owner or owner's guest, you'll be billed for the ferry each month. ($3.00 per ride.) If you are a renter, you'll get billed $20 for two nights or $40 for seven nights through the rental agency. Owners can also purchase an annual pass for the ferry. 75% of the ferry's annual costs are paid through homeowner dues; the rest are through these usage charges.
