Bohicket Marina and Market: A Waterfront Shopping and Dining Destination on Johns Island

What Bohicket Marina and Market offers

Bohicket Marina and Market is a working waterfront shopping and dining complex on Johns Island, about 20 minutes west of downtown Charleston. The space combines a full-service marina with retail shops, restaurants, and a fish market—all built around a working dock where commercial fishing boats still unload their catch. You can watch shrimp boats and fishing vessels come and go while you shop or eat, which gives the place a working-waterfront character rather than a polished resort feel.

The marina itself operates year-round and serves both recreational boaters and commercial fishing operations. The market and shops are open daily, though hours vary by season and by individual vendor. It's a place where locals and visitors mix—some there to fuel up a boat or grab provisions, others to browse the shops or sit down for a meal with a water view.

Key Takeaways

• Bohicket combines a working marina, fish market, retail shops, and waterfront restaurants in one location on Johns Island.
• The fish market sells fresh local seafood, often from boats unloading at the dock, and is open daily with seasonal hour variations.
• Multiple restaurants and casual dining options operate on-site, ranging from casual seafood spots to sit-down establishments with dock views.
• The marina offers fuel, repairs, and dockage for recreational and commercial vessels, plus a ship's store for boating supplies.
• Parking is free and plentiful, and the complex is accessible by car from Charleston via Bohicket Road on Johns Island.

The Fish Market and Fresh Seafood

The heart of Bohicket is its fish market, where you can buy fresh seafood directly from local boats. The inventory changes based on what's been caught and what's in season—shrimp, flounder, grouper, crab, and other local species rotate through depending on the time of year and the day's catch. Prices tend to be lower than retail seafood counters in Charleston proper because the supply chain is shorter: the boat unloads, the market sells it, and you buy it the same day or the next morning.

The market also sells prepared foods, frozen seafood, and some packaged goods. Staff can often tell you what came in that morning and how to prepare it, which is useful if you're buying something unfamiliar. The market is a working space, not a polished retail environment, so expect a casual, no-frills atmosphere.

Restaurants and Casual Dining

Several restaurants operate within the Bohicket complex, ranging from casual counter-service spots to sit-down establishments. Most focus on seafood and Low Country cuisine, and many have dock views or outdoor seating overlooking the water. Hours and menus vary by season, with some places reducing hours in winter or closing for brief periods.

The dining options draw both people who came to shop and boaters who pulled in for a meal. Prices are moderate—not fine dining, but not fast-food cheap either. The atmosphere is casual and waterfront-focused, with an emphasis on fresh local seafood rather than elaborate preparation.

Retail Shops and Boating Supplies

Beyond the fish market and restaurants, Bohicket has a handful of retail shops selling everything from clothing and gifts to boating supplies and marine hardware. A ship's store stocks fuel, oil, charts, and other items boaters need. The retail mix changes over time, so what's there now may differ from what you'll find in a year or two.

Most shops are small, locally owned operations rather than chain stores. Hours tend to follow the marina's schedule, so it's worth calling ahead if you're making a special trip for something specific.

The Marina and Boating Services

Bohicket Marina operates a full-service facility for recreational and commercial vessels. Services include fuel, pump-out stations, boat repairs, and dockage. The marina can accommodate boats of various sizes and offers both transient (short-term) and permanent slip rentals. If you're arriving by boat, you can tie up, refuel, grab a meal, and shop without leaving the property.

The marina also offers launch ramp access for trailerboats and has a ship's store stocked with supplies, ice, and basic provisions. Staff can advise on local fishing conditions, tidal information, and navigation to nearby creeks and waterways.

Getting There and Parking

Bohicket Marina and Market is located at 1881 Andell Bluff Boulevard on Johns Island, about 20 minutes from downtown Charleston via US 17 South and Bohicket Road. Parking is free and plentiful—there's a large lot that accommodates both cars and boat trailers. The complex is easy to find and well-marked from the main road.

The drive from Charleston takes you through Johns Island's rural and residential areas, so it's a short trip but feels removed from the city. This makes it a good destination if you want to get out of downtown but don't want to drive far.

When to Visit and What to Expect

Bohicket is open year-round, though hours and the number of operating restaurants may shift with the seasons. Spring and fall tend to be busiest, with good weather and active boating season. Summer is warm and humid, and winter is mild but some vendors reduce hours or close for brief periods.

The best time to visit the fish market is early morning, when the catch is freshest and the selection is fullest. Weekday mornings are quieter than weekends. If you're coming for a meal, lunch and early dinner are the most reliable times to find restaurants open and staffed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy fresh seafood to take home and cook?

Yes. The fish market sells fresh local seafood daily, and staff can advise on how to prepare it. Prices vary by species and season, but are generally lower than retail seafood counters in Charleston. The market also sells ice and some prepared items if you want something ready to eat.

Do I need a boat to visit Bohicket?

No. The complex is open to the public, and you can park, shop, dine, and browse without owning or operating a boat. Many visitors come just for the fish market or restaurants and never set foot on the dock.

What are the hours?

Hours vary by season and by individual vendor. The fish market and most shops are open daily, but restaurants may have limited hours or close on certain days. It's worth calling ahead or checking online before making a special trip, especially in winter or on Mondays.

Is there a fee to park or walk around?

No. Parking and access to the public areas are free. You only pay if you buy something, eat at a restaurant, or rent dock space for a boat.

Can I watch the fishing boats unload?

Yes. The dock is a working waterfront, and you can often see commercial fishing boats unloading their catch, especially in the morning. The activity level depends on the season and the day, but it's part of what makes Bohicket feel like a real working marina rather than a tourist attraction.