Bohicket Creek Waterfront Home on Johns Island: 3.4-Acre Riverside Property for $1.495 Million

“We’re so fortunate to live here on South Carolina’s hidden treasure — Bohicket Creek,” says Allen Dawson, 63, a retired Charleston-area contractor who built the home he and his wife still enjoy. Nestled on Johns Island, this lightly developed stretch of Bohicket Creek offers deep-water frontage, wide marsh views and a quiet, rural feel while remaining within easy reach of Charleston.

Set on 3.4 acres, the single-story, brick-veneered residence embraces a French Tudor influence and was completed in 1995. The property includes a four-bedroom, 3½-bath main house with an attached two-car garage, a large detached garage and workshop, a greenhouse and significant waterfront amenities: a private dock with ramp and float and a covered 16,000-pound boat lift that currently houses a 17-foot fishing skiff.

Designed for low maintenance and daily comfort, the house faces the river with windows, sliding glass doors and multiple porches that capture the creek’s ever-changing light and wildlife. Because the home is positioned on a natural rise, it does not require elevation. A crushed-shell path leads to a welcoming front entry, and the main living spaces offer clear sightlines to the water, creating an airy, open atmosphere enhanced by continuous hardwood flooring.

Near the foyer, French doors close off a study paneled in custom black walnut, with wainscoting and built-in cabinetry that make it an intimate office or library. The living room, anchored by a wood-burning fireplace, is the Dawsons’ favorite place to relax: “I have the same river view as my wife, who prefers the screened waterfront porch,” Allen says. With the sliding doors open, the indoor and outdoor living spaces merge, allowing easy conversation, bird-watching and uninterrupted views of the marsh and passing boats.

The waterside kitchen is arranged around a butcher-block-topped peninsula that separates cooking and dining areas while maintaining an open plan. A woodworker by trade, Allen specified butcher-block counters throughout and custom cherry Shaker-style cabinetry for warmth and durability. Updated stainless-steel appliances include a gas range with a drop-down exhaust fan to keep the space efficient and functional for everyday use and entertaining.

Two guest bedrooms occupy one wing of the home and share a connecting bath; one of those rooms offers its own view over the creek. The master suite sits at the opposite end for privacy, with windows framing the water. Melissa Dawson, 57, who split her career between paralegal work and bookkeeping, points to the renovated master bath as a highlight — granite counters, an updated garden tub and modern fixtures bring a comfortable, refined finish to the primary suite.

A 35-by-60-foot detached garage serves multiple functions: roughly one-third of the footprint is devoted to a workshop Allen calls his “huge man cave,” while the upper level contains a finished room and a full bath that offer flexible space for guests, hobbies or storage. Attached to this garage is a 20-by-35-foot greenhouse, supporting the property’s cultivated, self-sufficient lifestyle.

Outdoor living is emphasized with broad screened and open waterfront porches ideal for morning coffee or evening gatherings, and a bluestone patio designed for grilling and entertaining. The Dawsons store kayaks and a 15-foot jonboat on the dock for casual paddling and use the covered lift for their larger skiff. Bohicket Creek’s deep, protected channel supports a wide range of boating—from paddleboards to sizeable yachts—and provides easy, bridge-free access to the North Edisto Inlet in about 30 minutes.

Part of a region that values conservation, many neighboring parcels maintain large lots and conservation easements, preserving the quiet, wildlife-rich shoreline. The creek’s mix of marsh and tidal flow attracts shorebirds and other wildlife while limiting heavy boat traffic, making it a preferred local waterway for year-round boating, with the prime season running from September through June.

Practical systems include a heat pump, a private well and a septic system; annual taxes are approximately $3,200. Johns Island provides nearby shopping, dining and services, while downtown Charleston is about a 16-mile drive, offering cultural attractions, restaurants and city conveniences within easy reach.

The property is listed for $1,495,000. For more information, contact Huger Sinkler II, (843) 412-3189, of Holcombe Fair & Lane, Charleston, S.C., (843) 722-2642. hflcharleston.com

This article originally appeared in the December 2015 issue.