Carolina Waterway Plantation Homes for Sale — Carolina Forest Myrtle Beach SC [2026]

Carolina Waterway Plantation is one of the most intimate and exclusive gated Intracoastal Waterway communities on the Grand Strand — approximately 100 custom-built homesites in the Carolina Forest area of Myrtle Beach SC with direct ICW access, a private boat ramp, community day dock, and resort-style amenities at an HOA fee of just $105 per month. Carolina Waterway Plantation homes for sale range from approximately $500,000 to over $1,500,000 for ICW-frontage custom estates — with residential lots available for buyers who want to build on their timeline with their own builder.

Located off River Oaks Drive between Waterway Palms Plantation and the World Tour Golf Resort, Carolina Waterway Plantation delivers the ICW boating lifestyle in a smaller, more intimate community setting than its larger neighbors — within the top-rated Carolina Forest school district and minutes from Highway 31. If you are searching for Carolina Waterway Plantation homes for sale this is the most complete guide available. Here is everything you need to know.

Carolina Waterway Plantation Homes for Sale — Live MLS Listings

Browse active Carolina Waterway Plantation real estate listings below. Updated directly from the MLS.

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What Is Carolina Waterway Plantation in Myrtle Beach SC?

Carolina Waterway Plantation is a small intimate gated community of approximately 100 custom-built homesites located directly on the Intracoastal Waterway in the Carolina Forest area of Myrtle Beach SC. Development began in the early 2000s with the first homes built and sold in 2004 — making it one of the earlier established luxury ICW communities in Carolina Forest. It sits off River Oaks Drive adjacent to the World Tour Golf Resort and near Waterway Palms Plantation — three premier ICW communities clustered in the same corridor.

Key facts about Carolina Waterway Plantation:

• Location: off River Oaks Drive, Carolina Forest area, Myrtle Beach SC 29579
• Community size: approximately 100 homesites — intimate by design
• Community type: gated — secured entry
• ICW access: direct Intracoastal Waterway access — private boat ramp and community day dock
• HOA fees: approximately $105 per month — among the lowest for a gated ICW community on the Grand Strand
• Price range: approximately $500,000–$1,500,000-plus for homes — lots available
• Custom homes only: all homes are custom-built — no production builder product
• Schools: Ocean Bay Elementary, Ocean Bay Middle, Carolina Forest High School — top-rated Horry County Schools
• Drive to beach: approximately 12 to 15 minutes via Highway 31
• Drive to airport: approximately 12 minutes

Carolina Waterway Plantation is consistently described as one of the best-kept secrets on the Grand Strand — a community that delivers ICW boating lifestyle, gated security, and custom home quality at HOA fees significantly lower than comparable ICW communities anywhere on the coast.

What Are Home Prices at Carolina Waterway Plantation in 2026?

Carolina Waterway Plantation home prices range from approximately $500,000 for non-waterfront custom homes to over $1,500,000 for direct ICW frontage estates — with an average sales price across active and recent listings of approximately $804,000. Here is the full breakdown:

Non-waterfront custom homes — interior and pond view lots: $500,000–$750,000. Typically 4 to 5 bedrooms, 3 to 4 bathrooms, 2,500 to 4,000 square feet. Custom finishes throughout — LVP flooring, tiled showers, quartz countertops, screened porches, and fenced yards common. Many feature private pools, outdoor kitchens, and oversized garages.

Second row waterway homes — waterway views without direct frontage: $700,000–$1,000,000. Waterway views from elevated balconies and main living areas. Many feature private docks on community-adjacent water access. Screened porches, elevated construction, and custom outdoor living areas are standard at this price point.

Direct ICW frontage homes and estates: $900,000–$1,500,000-plus. The most exclusive addresses in the community. Private boat docks with boat lifts on the Intracoastal Waterway. Sweeping ICW views from multiple levels. Custom estates up to 5,000-plus total square feet. These are among the most sought-after properties on the Grand Strand and come to market infrequently.

Residential lots — no required build timeline: starting in the low $100,000s for interior positions — second row ICW lots available at premium pricing. Buyers can purchase a lot and build when ready with their own builder subject to community guidelines.

Search Current Carolina Waterway Plantation Listings →

What Amenities Does Carolina Waterway Plantation Have?

Carolina Waterway Plantation delivers a focused luxury amenity package built entirely around the ICW boating lifestyle — and at $105 per month HOA the value delivered per dollar is extraordinary compared to any comparable gated ICW community on the Grand Strand.

Private Boat Ramp with Direct ICW Access

Carolina Waterway Plantation features a private community boat ramp with direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway — exclusive to residents. This is the primary lifestyle driver for buyers who choose this community over non-ICW alternatives in Carolina Forest. From the community ramp residents can access the full Grand Strand ICW network — north to North Myrtle Beach, south toward Murrells Inlet, and beyond.

Community Day Dock and Gazebo

A community day dock and ICW-side gazebo provide a dedicated waterway viewing and gathering space — one of the most enjoyable lifestyle features the community offers. The scenic walkway from the neighborhood to the waterfront gazebo creates a daily destination for residents who want to watch boat traffic, enjoy sunsets, and experience the ICW lifestyle without owning a waterfront lot.

Resort-Style Swimming Pool

A resort-style outdoor pool serves the full community — well-maintained with pool deck seating and the same waterway-adjacent setting that defines the community's character.

Clubhouse

A well-appointed clubhouse is available to all residents for daily use and reservable for private events. Adjacent to the pool and community amenity area.

Tennis and Pickleball Courts

Tennis courts and pickleball courts serve the community's active resident demographic — both available year-round given the coastal South Carolina climate.

Additional amenities include:

• Basketball courts
• Children's playground
• Private and optional boat and RV parking with fenced storage area
• Sidewalks and walking trails throughout the community
• Gated secured entry — 24-hour access control
• Scenic pond views from multiple interior lots
• Wooded natural areas providing privacy buffers throughout the development

HOA fee context: at approximately $105 per month Carolina Waterway Plantation carries one of the lowest HOA fees of any gated ICW community on the Grand Strand. Comparable communities with similar amenity packages typically run $200 to $400 per month or higher. This cost structure is a genuine financial advantage that compounds meaningfully over a 10 or 20-year ownership horizon.

What Are the Homes Like in Carolina Waterway Plantation?

Every home in Carolina Waterway Plantation is custom-built — the community has never had a production builder and that distinction is immediately visible in the diversity and quality of the streetscape. Architectural styles range from Mediterranean-inspired masonry homes to elegant Lowcountry-style constructions to contemporary coastal designs — creating a neighborhood of genuinely distinctive custom homes rather than a street of similar floor plans.

Common custom features found in Carolina Waterway Plantation homes:

• Wide-plank hardwood and luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout main living areas
• Custom cabinetry — cherry, white oak, and painted finishes common
• Professional-grade kitchen appliances — Jenn-Air, Wolf, and similar brands in upper tier homes
• Tiled custom showers, standalone soaking tubs, and spa-caliber primary bathrooms
• Private pools — many with saltwater systems, sun shelves, and integrated spas
• Outdoor kitchens with high-end appliances and covered entertaining areas
• Private boat docks with boat lifts on ICW-frontage properties
• Smart home systems controlling lighting, temperature, pool, and security
• 2-car and 3-car garages — many with epoxy floors, climate control, and custom storage
• Elevated construction on ICW-adjacent lots for flood zone compliance
• Screened porches and Carolina rooms for year-round outdoor living
• 10-foot and higher ceilings throughout main living areas

New construction is actively available in Carolina Waterway Plantation in 2026 — both completed new homes and to-be-built opportunities on remaining lots. Search new construction homes in Carolina Waterway Plantation. Build times typically run 6 to 12 months from contract depending on scope and finishes. The community allows buyers to purchase lots with no required build timeline.

What Makes Carolina Waterway Plantation Different From Other ICW Communities?

Carolina Waterway Plantation's most distinctive advantage is the combination of intimate community scale, direct ICW access, custom home quality, and remarkably low HOA fees — a combination that no other gated ICW community in Carolina Forest delivers simultaneously.

Intimate scale — approximately 100 homesites total. Most Grand Strand gated communities contain hundreds of homes. Carolina Waterway Plantation contains approximately 100. That scale creates a genuine neighborhood where residents know each other — a community character that larger developments inevitably lose as they grow.

Every home is custom-built. No two homes in the Carolina Waterway Plantation ICW community are the same. The absence of production builder product means the streetscape has a visual richness and architectural variety that production communities cannot replicate. Custom homes also tend to hold value better in resale markets.

Direct ICW access at $105 per month HOA. This is the fact that stops buyers in their tracks. The Intracoastal Waterway access — private boat ramp, community day dock, gazebo — comes at an HOA fee of approximately $105 per month. Buyers who have toured communities with $300 to $400 monthly HOA fees consistently describe discovering Carolina Waterway Plantation as one of the best surprises in their Grand Strand search.

Still has residential lots available. With the Grand Strand's most active ICW communities largely built out the availability of lots in an established gated ICW community is increasingly rare. Carolina Waterway Plantation still has remaining lots — including second-row ICW positions — for buyers who want to build their own custom home within an established community.

Where Is Carolina Waterway Plantation Located?

Carolina Waterway Plantation is located off River Oaks Drive in the Carolina Forest area of Myrtle Beach SC 29579 — on the same ICW corridor as The Bluffs on the Waterway and Waterway Palms Plantation.

Key distances from Carolina Waterway Plantation:

• Atlantic Ocean beaches: approximately 12 to 15 minutes via Highway 31 — approximately 6 miles
• Myrtle Beach International Airport: approximately 12 minutes
• Coastal Grand Mall: approximately 10 minutes
• Grand Strand Medical Center: approximately 12 minutes
• Highway 31 access: approximately 5 minutes
• World Tour Golf Resort: directly adjacent — steps from the community entrance
• Market Common: approximately 15 minutes — explore Market Common Myrtle Beach
• Grocery stores (Publix, Kroger, Food Lion): all within 10 to 15 minutes
• The Bluffs on the Waterway: directly adjacent — see the complete Bluffs on the Waterway guide
• Waterway Palms Plantation: directly adjacent — see the complete Waterway Palms Plantation guide

The River Oaks Drive ICW corridor is the most concentrated cluster of gated luxury waterway communities in all of Carolina Forest — giving buyers the ability to compare three distinct ICW communities side by side in a single visit.

What Schools Serve Carolina Waterway Plantation?

Carolina Waterway Plantation is served by the top-rated Carolina Forest school district — an advantage shared with all major Carolina Forest communities and a primary driver of sustained buyer demand in this corridor.

• Ocean Bay Elementary School — top-rated elementary school in Horry County Schools
• Ocean Bay Middle School — one of the highest-rated middle schools in the district
• Carolina Forest High School — consistently one of the top-performing high schools in Horry County Schools with strong academics, athletics, and college preparation

The school district access from Carolina Waterway Plantation is identical to every other major Carolina Forest community — making it one of the few gated ICW communities on the Grand Strand that delivers luxury waterway living without sacrificing school district quality. Confirm current zone assignments at horrycountyschools.net before purchasing.

How Does Carolina Waterway Plantation Compare to Other ICW Communities in Carolina Forest?

Carolina Waterway Plantation occupies a unique position in the River Oaks Drive ICW corridor — smaller and more intimate than its neighbors while delivering equivalent ICW access at lower HOA cost.

Carolina Waterway Plantation vs. Waterway Palms Plantation

Waterway Palms wins on clubhouse quality — the $5 million lakefront facility is more impressive. Waterway Palms also wins on architectural character with its required Charleston and Lowcountry styles. Carolina Waterway Plantation wins on HOA fee — $105 per month vs. significantly higher at Waterway Palms — and on intimate community scale. Both deliver equivalent ICW boat ramp access and school district proximity. See the complete Waterway Palms Plantation guide.

Carolina Waterway Plantation vs. The Bluffs on the Waterway

Both are intimate ICW gated communities on River Oaks Drive with private boat ramps and comparable custom home quality. The Bluffs wins on community amenity infrastructure — two clubhouses, resort pool, tennis, pickleball, and secured boat and RV storage. Carolina Waterway Plantation wins on HOA cost and lot availability. See the complete Bluffs on the Waterway guide.

Carolina Waterway Plantation vs. Plantation Lakes

Plantation Lakes delivers 170 acres of navigable freshwater lake — a different lifestyle from saltwater ICW access. Choose Plantation Lakes for freshwater lake estate lifestyle. Choose Carolina Waterway Plantation for ICW saltwater boating and access to the full coastal waterway system. See the complete Plantation Lakes guide.

See the complete comparison of every Carolina Forest neighborhood — Carolina Forest neighborhoods complete guide

What to Know Before Buying in Carolina Waterway Plantation

Four things every buyer searching Carolina Waterway Plantation listings should address before making an offer:

1. Confirm flood zone for ICW-adjacent and waterfront lots. Direct ICW frontage lots and second-row lots may carry Zone AE flood designations. Confirm the FEMA flood zone before committing. Flood insurance on ICW-adjacent properties can add $1,500–$4,000-plus per year to ownership costs. Read the complete Myrtle Beach buyer's guide for 2026.

2. Get pre-approved at the right financing level. Most Carolina Waterway Plantation purchases exceed the conventional loan limit of $766,550 — requiring jumbo financing. Have your financing completely clear before visiting any specific property. Get pre-approved for a mortgage here.

3. Review HOA documents and confirm current dues during due diligence. At $105 per month the HOA fee is one of the most distinctive features of buying in Carolina Waterway Plantation. Review the full HOA package — financials, reserve study, CC&Rs, bylaws, and recent meeting minutes. Read the complete due diligence guide for Myrtle Beach buyers.

4. Move quickly on ICW frontage properties. Direct ICW frontage homes are among the most actively watched properties in the entire Carolina Forest corridor. The combination of limited supply and consistent buyer demand means well-priced properties attract serious buyers fast. Connect with our team.

Frequently Asked Questions — Carolina Waterway Plantation Homes for Sale

What is Carolina Waterway Plantation in Myrtle Beach SC?

Carolina Waterway Plantation is a small intimate gated community of approximately 100 custom-built homesites directly on the Intracoastal Waterway in the Carolina Forest area of Myrtle Beach SC. All homes are custom-built with no production builder product. Amenities include a private boat ramp with direct ICW access, community day dock, gazebo, resort-style pool, clubhouse, tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball courts, playground, and private boat and RV storage — at an HOA fee of approximately $105 per month.

How much do homes cost in Carolina Waterway Plantation?

Homes range from approximately $500,000 for non-waterfront custom homes to over $1,500,000 for direct ICW frontage estates. The average sales price across active listings is approximately $804,000. Residential lots are available starting in the low $100,000s. See current Carolina Waterway Plantation listings.

Is Carolina Waterway Plantation a good place to live?

Yes — Carolina Waterway Plantation consistently delivers the best combination of intimate community scale, direct ICW boating access, custom home quality, and low HOA fees of any gated ICW community in Carolina Forest. Long-term residents consistently cite the ICW access, the neighborhood character, the low HOA fees, and the school district as the top reasons they chose Carolina Waterway Plantation over comparable alternatives.

What are HOA fees in Carolina Waterway Plantation?

Approximately $105 per month — one of the lowest HOA fees of any gated ICW community on the Grand Strand. This fee covers community maintenance, amenity upkeep including the pool and clubhouse, and the ICW boat ramp and day dock facilities. Confirm exact current dues during due diligence as fees can adjust annually.

Can residents launch boats into the ICW from Carolina Waterway Plantation?

Yes — Carolina Waterway Plantation features a private community boat ramp with direct ICW access exclusively for residents. A community day dock and waterfront gazebo provide additional ICW access and viewing. Optional private boat and RV storage is available within the community.

Are there lots available in Carolina Waterway Plantation?

Yes — residential lots are available with no required build timeline. Lot prices start in the low $100,000s for interior positions — second-row ICW lots are available at premium pricing. Contact our team for current lot availability.

What schools serve Carolina Waterway Plantation?

Ocean Bay Elementary, Ocean Bay Middle, and Carolina Forest High School — consistently among the highest-rated schools in Horry County Schools. Confirm current zone assignments at horrycountyschools.net before purchasing.

How far is Carolina Waterway Plantation from the beach?

Approximately 12 to 15 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean — approximately 6 miles via Highway 31. The River Oaks Drive location gives residents efficient beach access while maintaining the privacy and natural setting of the ICW corridor.

Is Carolina Waterway Plantation gated?

Yes — Carolina Waterway Plantation is a fully gated community with secured entry. The gated access is a meaningful security and privacy feature that non-gated communities in Carolina Forest cannot offer.