Case study. One perfect day on Lake Keowee
A family from Greenville booked a tritoon rental at Keowee Marina and set out with a simple plan. Start late morning, cruise quiet side coves for a swim, anchor at the waterfall for lunch, drift by Jumping Rock to watch the action, and dock for dinner with a lakeside view.
Because fuel was included with every Keowee Marina boat rental, they didn’t waste time at the pump and instead enjoyed every minute on the water. With clear pricing, easy check-in, and staff recommendations for coves, waterfalls, and boat-friendly restaurants, the family enjoyed a full, stress-free lake day ending with a sunset view meal at Keowee Shores restaurant at Keowee Marina.
Lake Keowee rewards this kind of plan. The lake spans about 18,500 acres with 300+ miles of shoreline, so there is always another cove or photo-worthy view to discover.
Start smart with the right rental
Keowee Marina is the largest full service marina on Lake Keowee. The rentals fleet includes pontoons, tritoons, and sport-toon rentals, along with kayaks and other recreational rentals. Fuel is included in the daily price of all listed boat rentals, saving renters up to $229 per day.
Full- day rentals typically run from 9am-5pm on summer weekends and holidays, and from 9am-4pm on weekdays. The minimum driver age is 25 with a valid license. Every rental at Keowee Marina includes all safety gear, as well as a vessel walkthrough before departure.
Online booking makes the process straightforward!
Reserve your Lake Keowee boat rental here
Cruise for secluded coves
From the marina, ease into side arms and small pockets off the main channel and you will find calm water for floating and swimming. Stamp Creek and Mile Creek sit along popular corridors with easy orientation points and nearby public access. Arrive on the early side if you are trailering since parking areas across the lake can fill quickly on busy days. Renters who launch and return at Keowee Marina avoid the ramp rush and can head straight to the coves.
Make the waterfall your midday anchor
Party Cove Falls, also called Waterfall Cove, is a signature stop that you approach by water. Boats typically anchor in the apron while swimmers wade, float, and cool off under the cascade. The cove has a social energy on warm afternoons and a quieter feel earlier in the day. It belongs on every first visit because it captures the spirit of Lake Keowee in a single scene.
Drift by Jumping Rock and watch the show
Up the lake you will find a broad granite ledge known as Jumping Rock where boaters gather to float and watch the brave leap into deep water below. Most visitors simply enjoy a swim in the cove and cheer from the lake. If you decide to jump, do it feet first and follow local guidance.
Choose swimming spots that fit your crew
South Cove County Park sits directly on the lake and offers picnic areas, a sandy waterfront for sun, courts, playgrounds, and an accessible fishing pier. It is an easy add to any boat day when the group wants a change of pace. Farther up the lake, Mile Creek Park lists a long dock with slips and room for sunning and swimming along with shelters for picnics. Both parks deliver relaxed lake access with amenities families appreciate.
Dock for lakeside dining with a view
Two waterfront stops make a cruise taste even better. The Lighthouse Restaurant sits mid lake with a casual downstairs space and an upstairs dining room, and it welcomes diners arriving by boat. At the marina, Keowee Shores Grill and Cantina at 156 Keowee Marina Drive offers decks with wide views and a lively crowd. It was formerly known as The Tiki Hut and it remains a laid back post cruise hangout.
A sample loop that hits the highlights
Launch from Keowee Marina and point the bow toward open water. Nose into a quiet cove for a first swim while the day warms. Continue to Waterfall Cove and anchor for lunch and a cooldown under the falls. Idle up to Jumping Rock and decide whether you are jumping or cheering from the water. Turn back in the late afternoon for a shoreline tour with Blue Ridge views, then dock for dinner at Keowee Shores Grill and Cantina. Finish with an easy ride back as the light softens across the lake. Local guides outline similar rhythms because this sequence simply works for first timers and repeat visitors alike.
Practical notes that save time
Fuel included at Keowee Marina removes a common end of day chore and the page even advertises savings up to $229 per day in fuel discounts, which helps a full crew stretch the budget. Confirm your return time at check out and build your loop to arrive with a few minutes to spare. Give swimmers and paddlers plenty of room, honor no wake zones, and watch for boat traffic near the falls and Jumping Rock. If you plan to trailer from public ramps, arrive early because parking fills fast across the lake.
Lake Keowee shines when you see it by boat. Secluded coves stay calm, the waterfall keeps everyone cool, Jumping Rock adds a little theatre, and lakeside restaurants cap the day with a view. Make it easy on yourself and start with the rental that removes friction. Reserve your fuel included boat at Keowee Marina or call 864 882 2047 and set your lake day in motion right now. https://www.keoweemarina.com/boat-rentals