9-11-20. Just stayed 2 nights at Lady’s Island Marina, Beaufort, SC mm 536. Absolutely great. Dockmaster Tom has bent over backwards to make our stay so nice. Docks in good shape , electrical service good, didn’t check cable TV, wifi great- we right in front of dock office. Easy in and out- plenty depth at low tide. Every boat that came by observed no wake. Got 37 over air tv channels and strong Verizon for mifi- if needed it. Dog friendly. Small but very nice marina store- not much boat stuff but lot of very nice creations from local artists. You’ll make a big mistake if not get the bloody mary mix- great stuff! Several places to eat within walking distance, but right at marina is Dockside. We had shrimp and scollop piccata. Great also! And staff had masks, etc.. Tom has very nice loaner car available. Rode around Beaufort and went out south 21 toward Fripp. Found Johnson Creek tavern for lunch- shrimp, oyster and scollop basket and mahi taco- great again. And staff again very Covid-19 conscious. Saw several other restaurants we want to try- Foolish Frog is one. Marina bathrooms and showers excellent. Even had clean towel for bathmat. Tom’s website points out other amenities there, but we didn’t look into them- not there long enough. Pump out boat comes to you- no charge. We used to come to another marina in Beaufort- many times over many years- but now on will be at Lady’s Island Marina as long as quality stays as is- he has a true emphasis of personal service. Getting to be rare these days. Charlie and Jackie on Traveler
I used to manage LIM back in the late 90s. I stopped by this last weekend after 15-yrs. I’m trying to locate some people. Email me if you know anything 🙂 – Ed and Liz Ford (Ed’s father Jackie was the dockmaster for 30+ years) – Jim and Donna Kelty (used to own the canvas shop in the breezeway). – Randy and Georgia Clark (used to own the ship’s store BOSS). – Robert Cook on the s/v Bodhi – the singer/musician Jim Jones (used to live in the current workshop and played music at the local bars) – Carl Foster on the s/v Gemini. Used to carve Canadian geese mobiles – Mike and Margo McGill on the boat Penny Royal – Mike and Cindy Satterthwaite on the s/v Silver Nail. He’s a retired US Marine – John Sharp on the s/v Wolfheart. – Dave Sitter on the boat Dave’s World – Sandy and Billy Western on the m/v Hillbilly Hilton
I have information about Mike & Margo. I am one of their sons. Phil, I may have met you when I was down there around 96, I’m aka as Matt. Please let me know how I can get in touch with either of you. Me and my brother Mike brought the Penny Royal down from Canada, and we are trying to locate the boat. Thank you.
Matt – I just sent you an email. Of the people I was looking for I found the Keltys. And while I was in Beaufort I left a note in Jon Sharp’s mailbox where I remembered he lived and we had lunch together. When I managed the place it was way different from now. Hollow fiberglass docks covered in plywood, sketchy electric, and some serious characters Used to rent the “mud docks” at a reduced rate. Shorty and his boa constrictors on the dock, the sound of Old Milwaukee cracked open in unison at 9am, pinching shrimp heads in the evening after a day of casting, and a sense of community in that strange little world
Anthony McGill- September 4, 2018 - 9:37 pm
Phil – I apollogize I just saw your message in the post, long story. If you would please reply to this one. I may have tyed a wrong email address, as I’ve checked all of them and didn’t see anything in the inboxes. Thank you – Matt
I’d rate this place 6 stars if I could. Quiet, well-maintained, many services within easy walking distance (groceries, hardware store, liquor store, nice bakery and many restaurants, etc). Very accomodating management/dockmaster Steve is going cruising, new dockmaster TJ started on Monday and he’s clearly committed to carrying on the cruiser-friendly tradition. Loaner car and/or bikes. A ***woodshop*** for doing boat projects!!! Longish walk or short bike ride across the swing bridge to historic downtown.
New owners this year. Rates are $1.25 per foot. Tried hailing them on VHF, but both were out working on another boat. Finally got their attention and was helped into the dock by Steve. Good location with many businesses within walking or bike riding distance. They have complimentary bikes. I also got a free ride to a local gas station to fill up jerry can with diesel! Deciding to stay an extra day.
Bill’s Liquors & wines – Beaufort, SC – located within walking distance of Ladies Island Marina (great place to stay). Although not a brewery but a liquor, wine and beer store, Bill’s has a growler filling station in the beer section and always has 8 micro brews available in 32 oz and 64 oz growlers. Stopped by today and they had a beer tasting scheduled for this afternoon for Westbrook brewery beers, out of Mt Pleasant, SC. They also had Allagash Blonde Ale, Harpoon IPA, Southern Tier Pumking, Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan, Thomas Creek Up the Creek Extreme IPA, Red Hare Rauchbier, Blue Moon Belgian White. They will also give you a taste of any beer at the station. Joe Moran
There is a new Dockside [Restaurant] (same owner [as the Dockside in Port Royal]) that has reopened the restaurant right next to the Lady’s Island Marina. Same excellent food. Easy access if staying at the Lady’s Island Marina or a walk/bike across the “swing bridge” from Beaufort. Emil
Lady’s Island marina is open to transients, but has limited services. The marina converted to private ownership dockominiums some years back. Owners who don’t have a boat in their slip rent spaces through the on site manager. The marina doesn’t have a ships store or fuel. On the plus side, it’s in a well protected location and there is a nice seafood restaurant adjacent to the marina. Rapid Roy, S/V “Gideon”
Response to the above posting by “Rapid Roy” from the management of Lady’s Island Marina: One of the reviews (Rapid Roy s/v “Gideon”) said our slips are individually owned (as condos) and are rented by LIM. That’s not accurate, tho I can understand the confusion. Only the slips in 3 of the 5 docks that make up the marina are individually owned. LIM manages those docks/slips for the condo ass’n. LIM itself owns all slips in the 2 docks that are next to the boathouse and manager’s office and these are the slips that we rent out to transient and longer term guests. Since one of your readers mentioned it I wanted to clarify the situation. Thanks. Kelly Ryan
Rock Chalk stayed at LIM on April 13th. The people were great- loaned us 2 bikes to cross bridge into Beaufort. We ate at Dockside restaurant and enjoyed our meal- typical port food. Our only complaint was the incredible number of no-see-ums! The pilot house was covered in the morning and we had so many bites. Not sure the marina can do anything about that. Shelley Colby on Rock Chalk
Tied up at Lady’s Island Marina from 4/19 to 4/25/13. Small marina, average facilities, good protection. Ernie, dockmaster, is the only marina person but gets help from other live-aboards to assist in docking. Entrance to creek is shoaled on north side. Stay close to causeway and south shore going into creek. Good, very busy restaurant on site but only open for evenings. Walking distance, 5 blocks, to almost any shopping or service you desire, including numerous restaurants. Our overall choice for a Beaufort marina, but not an easy choice to make. s/v Skye
Anchored close to Ladys Island Marina next am engine overheated so dinked over Marina talked to Dockmaster Ted Alcorn who started the ball rolling with getting me into a slip with the help of Ernie his assistant and talking with mechanic Jim Dehart. In the the four weeks of repair to a cracked cylinder head the staff left a lasting impression of people pulling together to help and making a bad moment into good memories . Ted and his wife Shari are seasoned sailors and know how to make your journey a good one
Just wanted to give a shout-out to Claiborne and the SSECN, re: Lady’s Island Marina. When you’re travelling through Beaufort, SC, consider stopping at Lady’s Island Marina on Factory Creek (STM 535.9). And if you’re considering cruising to Panama and the San Blas Islands, it just became a must stop—or you’re missing a great resource! What’s the connection? The dockmaster at Lady’s Island Marina, Ted Alcorn, and his wife Shari, cruised extensively on their boat s/v Mystique, including four years in the San Blas Islands. During their time there, they were intimately connected with the indigenous community and invited to cultural events rarely attended by outsiders. They’ll generously share their knowledge and pictures of that experience. But even if your cruising plans don’t include the San Blas Islands, you’ll still want to view the incredible display of molas (fiber folk art) in the marina office. We had a great 3-day stay at the marina with its mix of liveaboard and cruising boats. The facility has private shower suites and on-site washer/dryer. Lots of practical services are nearby, including two supermarkets—and of course an assortment of restaurants, pharmacies, auto parts, paint and liquor stores, etc. We didn’t have a chance to eat at The Fillin’ Station, next door to the marina, but we hear the inexpensive steak specials on Friday night are to die for. Next time! Best and see you On the Water, Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
A little more on Lady’s Island Marina. The canvas repair closed. Besides Groupers, a new barbeque joint: The Smokey Chef opened adjacent to the marina. The complimentary 2 hr. dockage is in effect for boaters going to Groupers. We’ve taken our 5′9″ draft sailboat in and out of Factory Creek multiple times this spring, and haven’t had a problem at mid- to high tide. We wouldn’t try it at low tide. Stay well away from Factory Creek’s green #1 as that’s where it’s shoaled. Mike Cannady
Reviews from Cruisers (17)
Very helpful and friendly. Easy access to food ,water and supplies.
9-11-20. Just stayed 2 nights at Lady’s Island Marina, Beaufort, SC mm 536. Absolutely great. Dockmaster Tom has bent over backwards to make our stay so nice. Docks in good shape , electrical service good, didn’t check cable TV, wifi great- we right in front of dock office. Easy in and out- plenty depth at low tide. Every boat that came by observed no wake. Got 37 over air tv channels and strong Verizon for mifi- if needed it. Dog friendly. Small but very nice marina store- not much boat stuff but lot of very nice creations from local artists. You’ll make a big mistake if not get the bloody mary mix- great stuff! Several places to eat within walking distance, but right at marina is Dockside. We had shrimp and scollop piccata. Great also! And staff had masks, etc.. Tom has very nice loaner car available. Rode around Beaufort and went out south 21 toward Fripp. Found Johnson Creek tavern for lunch- shrimp, oyster and scollop basket and mahi taco- great again. And staff again very Covid-19 conscious. Saw several other restaurants we want to try- Foolish Frog is one. Marina bathrooms and showers excellent. Even had clean towel for bathmat. Tom’s website points out other amenities there, but we didn’t look into them- not there long enough. Pump out boat comes to you- no charge. We used to come to another marina in Beaufort- many times over many years- but now on will be at Lady’s Island Marina as long as quality stays as is- he has a true emphasis of personal service. Getting to be rare these days. Charlie and Jackie on Traveler
I used to manage LIM back in the late 90s. I stopped by this last weekend after 15-yrs. I’m trying to locate some people. Email me if you know anything 🙂
– Ed and Liz Ford (Ed’s father Jackie was the dockmaster for 30+ years)
– Jim and Donna Kelty (used to own the canvas shop in the breezeway).
– Randy and Georgia Clark (used to own the ship’s store BOSS).
– Robert Cook on the s/v Bodhi
– the singer/musician Jim Jones (used to live in the current workshop and played music at the local bars)
– Carl Foster on the s/v Gemini. Used to carve Canadian geese mobiles
– Mike and Margo McGill on the boat Penny Royal
– Mike and Cindy Satterthwaite on the s/v Silver Nail. He’s a retired US Marine
– John Sharp on the s/v Wolfheart.
– Dave Sitter on the boat Dave’s World
– Sandy and Billy Western on the m/v Hillbilly Hilton
Thanks :–)
Phil
Hi Phil,
Did you ever find Mike and Margo,
I fell out of touch with them when they moved to Beaufort and have been looking online for them.
Phil and Trish,
I have information about Mike & Margo. I am one of their sons. Phil, I may have met you when I was down there around 96, I’m aka as Matt. Please let me know how I can get in touch with either of you. Me and my brother Mike brought the Penny Royal down from Canada, and we are trying to locate the boat. Thank you.
Matt – I just sent you an email. Of the people I was looking for I found the Keltys. And while I was in Beaufort I left a note in Jon Sharp’s mailbox where I remembered he lived and we had lunch together.
When I managed the place it was way different from now. Hollow fiberglass docks covered in plywood, sketchy electric, and some serious characters Used to rent the “mud docks” at a reduced rate. Shorty and his boa constrictors on the dock, the sound of Old Milwaukee cracked open in unison at 9am, pinching shrimp heads in the evening after a day of casting, and a sense of community in that strange little world
Phil – I apollogize I just saw your message in the post, long story. If you would please reply to this one. I may have tyed a wrong email address, as I’ve checked all of them and didn’t see anything in the inboxes.
Thank you – Matt
I’d rate this place 6 stars if I could. Quiet, well-maintained, many services within easy walking distance (groceries, hardware store, liquor store, nice bakery and many restaurants, etc). Very accomodating management/dockmaster Steve is going cruising, new dockmaster TJ started on Monday and he’s clearly committed to carrying on the cruiser-friendly tradition. Loaner car and/or bikes. A ***woodshop*** for doing boat projects!!! Longish walk or short bike ride across the swing bridge to historic downtown.
New owners this year. Rates are $1.25 per foot. Tried hailing them on VHF, but both were out working on another boat. Finally got their attention and was helped into the dock by Steve. Good location with many businesses within walking or bike riding distance. They have complimentary bikes. I also got a free ride to a local gas station to fill up jerry can with diesel! Deciding to stay an extra day.
Bill’s Liquors & wines – Beaufort, SC – located within walking distance of Ladies Island Marina (great place to stay).
Although not a brewery but a liquor, wine and beer store, Bill’s has a growler filling station in the beer section and always has 8 micro brews available in 32 oz and 64 oz growlers. Stopped by today and they had a beer tasting scheduled for this afternoon for Westbrook brewery beers, out of Mt Pleasant, SC.
They also had Allagash Blonde Ale, Harpoon IPA, Southern Tier Pumking, Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan, Thomas Creek Up the Creek Extreme IPA, Red Hare Rauchbier, Blue Moon Belgian White.
They will also give you a taste of any beer at the station.
Joe Moran
There is a new Dockside [Restaurant] (same owner [as the Dockside in Port Royal]) that has reopened the restaurant right next to the Lady’s Island Marina. Same excellent food. Easy access if staying at the Lady’s Island Marina or a walk/bike across the “swing bridge” from Beaufort.
Emil
Lady’s Island marina is open to transients, but has limited services. The marina converted to private ownership dockominiums some years back. Owners who don’t have a boat in their slip rent spaces through the on site manager. The marina doesn’t have a ships store or fuel. On the plus side, it’s in a well protected location and there is a nice seafood restaurant adjacent to the marina.
Rapid Roy, S/V “Gideon”
Response to the above posting by “Rapid Roy” from the management of Lady’s Island Marina:
One of the reviews (Rapid Roy s/v “Gideon”) said our slips are individually owned (as condos) and are rented by LIM. That’s not accurate, tho I can understand the confusion. Only the slips in 3 of the 5 docks that make up the marina are individually owned. LIM manages those docks/slips for the condo ass’n.
LIM itself owns all slips in the 2 docks that are next to the boathouse and manager’s office and these are the slips that we rent out to transient and longer term guests.
Since one of your readers mentioned it I wanted to clarify the situation. Thanks.
Kelly Ryan
Rock Chalk stayed at LIM on April 13th. The people were great- loaned us 2 bikes to cross bridge into Beaufort. We ate at Dockside restaurant and enjoyed our meal- typical port food. Our only complaint was the incredible number of no-see-ums! The pilot house was
covered in the morning and we had so many bites. Not sure the marina can do anything about that.
Shelley Colby on Rock Chalk
Tied up at Lady’s Island Marina from 4/19 to 4/25/13. Small marina, average facilities, good protection. Ernie, dockmaster, is the only marina person but gets help from other live-aboards to assist in docking. Entrance to creek is shoaled on north side. Stay close to causeway and south shore going into creek. Good, very busy restaurant on site but only open for evenings. Walking distance, 5 blocks, to almost any shopping or service you desire, including numerous restaurants. Our overall choice for a Beaufort marina, but not an easy choice to make.
s/v Skye
Anchored close to Ladys Island Marina next am engine overheated so dinked over Marina talked to Dockmaster Ted Alcorn who started the ball rolling with getting me into a slip with the help of Ernie his assistant and talking with mechanic Jim Dehart. In the the four weeks of repair to a cracked cylinder head the staff left a lasting impression of people pulling together to help and making a bad moment into good memories . Ted and his wife Shari are seasoned sailors and know how to make your journey a good one
Just wanted to give a shout-out to Claiborne and the SSECN, re: Lady’s Island Marina.
When you’re travelling through Beaufort, SC, consider stopping at Lady’s Island Marina on Factory Creek (STM 535.9).
And if you’re considering cruising to Panama and the San Blas Islands, it just became a must stop—or you’re missing a great resource!
What’s the connection?
The dockmaster at Lady’s Island Marina, Ted Alcorn, and his wife Shari, cruised extensively on their boat s/v Mystique, including four years in the San Blas Islands. During their time there, they were intimately connected with the indigenous community and invited to cultural events rarely attended by outsiders. They’ll generously share their knowledge and pictures of that experience.
But even if your cruising plans don’t include the San Blas Islands, you’ll still want to view the incredible display of molas (fiber folk art) in the marina office.
We had a great 3-day stay at the marina with its mix of liveaboard and cruising boats. The facility has private shower suites and on-site washer/dryer. Lots of practical services are nearby, including two supermarkets—and of course an assortment of restaurants, pharmacies, auto parts, paint and liquor stores, etc.
We didn’t have a chance to eat at The Fillin’ Station, next door to the marina, but we hear the inexpensive steak specials on Friday night are to die for.
Next time!
Best and see you On the Water,
Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
A little more on Lady’s Island Marina. The canvas repair closed. Besides Groupers, a new barbeque joint: The Smokey Chef opened adjacent to the marina. The complimentary 2 hr. dockage is in effect for boaters going to Groupers.
We’ve taken our 5′9″ draft sailboat in and out of Factory Creek multiple times this spring, and haven’t had a problem at mid- to high tide. We wouldn’t try it at low tide. Stay well away from Factory Creek’s green #1 as that’s where it’s shoaled.
Mike Cannady