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Please Note That Postings Below From Fellow Cruisers Are Listed in Chronological Order, Based on Publication Date
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Inlet Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, flanks the eastern shores of the AICW, a short hop north of St. Augustine Inlet, and hard by the southern side of the high-rise Vilano Beach Bridge. There is newly opened restaurant on-site, and a new Publix supermarket within walking distance. You can easily provision while filling up those hungry fuel tanks!
Claiborne:
As promised, we stopped at Inlet Marina in St. Augustine Thursday. We checked out the prices on fuel at Comachee Cove, Conch House and the Municipal Marina. Inlet’s price with the usual discounts was .10 – .20/gal less than the others. They do have the best price of any St. Augustine marina on the ICW. Still, it was .15 higher than the price in Jacksonville.
The fuel dock is located on the east side of the ICW between the Villano bridge and the fishing pier, which makes entering look somewhat intimidating. However, there is deep water all the way in and out to both bridges, so maneuvering with our 54′ boat was relatively easy. Dockmaster Jay and his staff are on hand to assist. I would not hesitate to take anything up to 80′ into the dock, although I would be sure to have adequate help on hand if the tide is running or there is a strong wind with a westerly component.
The Publix supermarket is within walking distance, as is the Villano beach on the ocean. There is a good restaurant with Tiki bar on site, and the entire place is dog friendly, which was very important to us. Although the marina does not have transient slip Jay will allow boats to tie up at the fuel dock overnight for $25. There is no electric. There is water, but it does have a strong sulphur odor. The town of Villano provides a free 100′ floating dock located just south of the fishing pier next to Inlet Marina. There are no services, but boats are allowed to tie up all day to visit the town and the beach. Overnights are not technically allowed, but Jay says it is not enforced.
In my opinion, Inlet Marina and the town of Villano Beach are a good place to stop for a day to take on some fuel, re-provision and relax on the beach or at the restaurant.
Bill Root
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On 4/26/13, in a supplementary question to our Wish List of 4/22/13, we posed the following question:
Statute Mile 775.5 – Who has taken on fuel at Inlet Marina, flanking the AICW’s eastern banks, just south of the Vilano Beach Bridge? Did you try out the new restaurant which has opened here? How was the food? Did anybody provision while docked here, by walking to the newly opened, nearby Publix supermarket?
Responses follow:
Jay is absolutely the nicest guy we have met in a long time. We stopped there on the way south and got inexpensive fuel. Also, received our complimentary six pack. Stopped again on the way up north. Very good fuel prices. It was a rainy, cold, windy night and we finished fueling around 3:30. I asked jay if we might stay on the gas dock instead of moving to an anchorage nearby. He agreed and we stayed.
Have not tried the restaurant. Susan borrowed Jay’s truck and shopped at Publix. I walked down there later. It’s close by and a fully stocked market. The beach is another block or so.
I would recommend checking with Jay on fuel prices and stopping at Inlet Marine.
Tom Law
Visited this marina while northbound in April, 2012. Tied up at face dock/fuel dock and took on diesel for our S/V Carolina. Did not pump very much, but the operator was happy to accommodate us anyway. While taking on the fuel, my wife walked the short walk to the Publix grocery for bread, milk, some salmon and ground turkey, and some salad fixings. She was very enthusiastic about the trip and what the village is doing to encourage visitors.
While able to take our 38 footer alongside, if we had made an overnight stay we would have seriously cut into the fuel sales, as we could not have gone inside the face dock to a “transient” slip due to draft and length.
Steve Kamp
S/V Carolina
We took on 200 gallons of diesel on April 13, on the north to the MTOA Rendezvous in Fernandina Beach. We’d never been at Inlet before, but their price looked good. Their 20 cent discount for mentioning Cruisernet or MTOA and another nickel for 200 gallons or more made it even better. Easy in, easy out, plenty of water at the fuel dock, and they have us a 6 pack of beer as a thank you. We didn’t stop at the restaurant, but on a Saturday afternoon, it was filled with people. We’ll be back.
Barbara Kipnis
We just stopped at Inlet Marina this morning (5/9/2013). They do not open until 7:30 AM. This was only a minor problem because we had left St. Augustine on the early Bridge of Lions 7:00 AM opening to work the tidal flow heading North.
The owner was very nice and very helpful. He even loaned his pickup to my wife to run up to the Publix which certainly got us on our way quicker (no grocery store within walking distance to the St. Augustine mooring field). Very nice gesture! So, we’ve definitely recommend this place. Easy in and out.
The restaurant is not open for breakfast, so no report on that.
Glen Vetter
s/v Freestyle
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On 4/22/13, as part of a NE Florida – Georgia Wish List, we posed the following question:
Statute Mile 747 – anyone spent a night or two at Palm Cove Marina, west of the AICW and north of marker #32? What were your impressions of and experiences at this facility?
Responses follow:
The entry channel into Palm Cove Marina is well marked but narrow and shallow — less than 5′ at low tide. The facilities are top-notch, however, and docking is a breeze. Do not miss eating at Marker 32 — expensive and worth every penny.
Captain Mary
Intermezzo
Claiborne,
In response to your request for NE Fl/GA wish list here is Palm Cove Marina:
We took a slip at Palm Cove on March 21 on our way north from Marathon on our 37′ sailing vessel. The entry from the waterway is well marked, we saw depths of 7′ or more at mid-tide and we had help for an easy tie on a face dock along with one other cruiser just back from the Bahamas. This is a large marina with many empty slips when were there. It was a pleasant evening, but I would expect it to be well protected back here in a blow. We did not use the shower or onshore head, so no comment. Within easy walking distance of the marina is a large Publix, several banks and drug stores and a Starbucks.
We had dinner at the Marker 32 restaurant which was only 50 yards from our boat. This is a moderately upscale place with many good seafood choices which we favor, but other good choices as well. Overall we rated the service and food as very good. The place was quite busy on a week night with many locals.
Harry Burns
S/V Two for the Roads
It has every thing you need in a Marina plus an excellent food shopping area. The only problem is their entrance channel. Best to enter & exit at mid to high tide. I have a 4.5 foot draft.
Raymond W. Smith
“Fire Dog”
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On 4/22/13, as part of a NE Florida – Georgia Wish List, we posed the following question:
Statute Mile 775.5 – Who has spent a night or two (or more) at Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor, just north of St. Augustine Inlet. Did you find it to be as first class as we remember it to be?
Responses follow:
We stayed at Commanchee Cove in very early January (Southbound) and again in early April (Northbound). It is still a very well managed facility with two courtesy cars available for use for 1 hour at a time, a very good bar/restaurant with traditional seafood plus very good sushi, and excellent repair services on site provided by both Commanchee Yacht Yard for haul and First Mate Yacht Services for in water repairs/service. Dock and office personnel are friendly, courteous and professional. The physical facilities are still very good but not
as pristine as they were several years ago.
Howard Rockness
Sequel
Camachee Cove has the best weather protection and also a very good marina. There is a new Publix grocery store just over the bridge in Vilano, making provisioning a snap if you’re staying here. Also, check out Fish Tales for good burgers, salads and sandwiches. They’re located in the same cove.
Best regards,
Michelle Bennett
s/v A La Mer
Camachee Cove Marina is definitely a first class marina. Friendly staff, very attentive, great mechanic service on site ,use of a courtesy vehicle and a great restaurant on site.
Paul Hutchinson
Spent 4/8/13 to 4/12/13 there. Have made it a regular stop. Nice docks, great people, good facilities, courtesy cars. Use First Mate to take care of any boat problems I can’t solve. Will be spending more time there in the future.
s/v/Skye
We stayed 3 nights at Cammachee Cove marina in December 2012 and found it to be just as first class as our previous stays. They are always very responsive on the radio with docking instructions and their dock hands are very helpful. They have 2 courtesy cars and are flexible with their use if you need to use a car longer than a few hours and no one else requested it.
Harriet Hardy
sv Moondance
Great Marina, excellent facilities, just too far from town.
Tracy Hellman
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On 4/22/13, as part of a NE Florida – Georgia Wish List, we posed the following question:
10. Statute Mile 765 – Anyone anchored on the Pine Island Loop this spring season, north of marker #26? Did you enter by way of the stream’s southern entrance? What depths did you find? Please give us an overall impression of this anchorage.
Responses follow:
I anchored at pine island loop on April 17 [2013] coming in from the south. Found 8 ft at low water and anchored to watch the birds. We use this anchorage routinely on our annual pilgrimage to the keys from Brunswick Landing Marina.
Dean and Clare Bensley
A good stopover but make sure your hook is set – I dragged in February but had a soft landing next to the marsh and simply backed out. There is NO access except the south arm of the inlet – there is no water in the north part of the loop. Just go near the green marker and head east until you find a spot you like.
Peter TenHaagen
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Beach Marine - Click for Chartview
Beach Marine guards the Waterway’s eastern banks, immediately north of the new B. B. McCormick high-rise bridge.
We stopped at [Beach Marine] en route to Jacksonville and found the dock master, Bryan Reid, to be exceptionally helpful. He went out of his way to provide useful information regarding local boating conditions as well as for the St. John’s River.
Maureen Mezei
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Well, of course, Camachee Cove is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Camachee Cove in St. Augustine, FL is very nice with lots of amenities. This is the website – http://www.camacheeisland.com.
Sam Cooper
No Agenda
Mainship 43T
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San Pablo/Atlantic Boulevard Bridge crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 744.5. Having seen the currents here for myself, I can tell you that Captain Ising isn’t kidding nor relaying inaccurate data. The water movement can be fierce!
In recognition of that fact, we are establishing an SSECN Navigation Alert for these waters!
We just passed through on 16 Sep 2012 at what was likely max ebb and barely made 1.0 kts SOG. Our boat under full power will do about 6.2 kts, so I estimate the current can get as high as 5+ kts. It was scary with boats ahead and astern wondering if we were going to make it.
Duane Ising
In all of Jacksonville that bridge has the strongest current first only to the Main Street bridge on the Saint Johns river In downtown Jacksonville. The travel under this bridge must scrutinized according to the tides as it is a truly powerful funneling of water through a narrow gap. Water flow can exceed 6 knots.
Dave Bennett
My boat is at Harbortown Marina right there at Atlantic Blvd and the ICW, and yea, I can’t go anywhere when she’s running strong. The current is just as dangerous two miles north where the ICW crosses the St.John’s River, stay well away from the jetty and watch your sideways set action.
Keith Blankenship s/v Renasci
We came through this bridge about the 13th of Nov. 2012 and it was horrible !! Outgoing tide and we had all we could do get through – my guess is that we were doing no more than 1 – 1.5 knts; plus the turbulence approaching and under the bridge was like a washing machine. This is an extremely dangerous situation and most expecially when you some idiot approching from the opposite direction with the current, can obviously see that you are having a major control problem and continues to enter the bridge.
Pat Kenefick
Marker # 18 and the AICW stretch described below lie along the Tolomato River between charted Booth Landing and Spanish Landing at mile 764.
Sounds like the key to avoiding the below described shallows, is to not approach marker #18 closely.
We just ran aground at low tide about 15′ east of Red 18, around MM 766 and we draw only 3 feet! Boats behind us said deep water was 50′ east of the mark. Fortunately, we got off quickly with with no apparent damage.
Barbara and Barry Kipnis
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Marker # 18
Palm Cove Marina’s marked entry channel cuts into the western banks of the AICW, just north of the B. B. McCormick/Beach Boulevard Bridge. We have personally visited this facility twice within the past twelve months, and can attest it’s a first class facility in every sense of the word.
Well, of course, these good folks are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Palm Cove Marina at the ICW and Beach Blvd. Bridge Jacksonville has fuel, full service yard, pool, nearby restuarnts, shopping, good fuel prices, and a short bus ride to the beach.
Bill and Barbara Reed
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Palm Cove Marina
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The “One and Only Anchorage” lies south of the Waterway’s intersection with St. Johns River, south of unlighted daybeacon #15 and just north of the San Pablo Bridge.
Anchored here to-nite and the depth is 24 plus. Could not find the 10 -15 ft water. Noise from the bridge but other wise OK.
Sonny
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Palm Cove Marina lies south of unlighted daybeacon #31, off the western shores of the Waterway, in the heart of Jacksonville Beach. These good folks are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Can someone give a fairly accurate depth of the entry channel at low tide for Palm Cove Marina? I’ve wanted to stop here but have heard conflicting responses regarding the depth. Thanks! Rick
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Palm Cove Marina
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Palm Cove Marina lies south of unlighted daybeacon #31, off the western shores of the Waterway, in the heart of Jacksonville Beach. These good folks are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
We came to Palm Cove Marina a week ago and we will be here for another week. Have been here several times before. The service is consistently great. Friendly and helpful staff. Fuel prices are one of the best in Florida. Within walking distance to Publix and Drug store. Next door is Marker 32, one of the best Restaurants on the ICW.
Claudia Young
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Well, of course Eve-Marie & crew had a good experience at Palm Cove Marina. After all, these good people are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!!!
Palm Cove Marina flanks the AICW’s westerly shores, in heart of Jacksonville Beach, north of the new McCormick high-rise bridge.
We stayed at Palm Cove Oct 26, 2011 and echo others in saying this is a great stop. Easy to get into the well-marked channel. Staff are helpful; Publix and Starbucks minutes away. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Marker 32 restaurant adjacent to Palm Cove as well.
Eve-Marie & crew
s/v Flash
Beneteau 361 Draft 5′
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Palm Cove Marina
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Small, but super-friendly Inlet Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR), overlooks the eastern shores of the AICW, just north of St. Augustine Inlet, and only a hop, skip and a jump south of the Vilano Beach Bridge. While Captain Jay lacks transient dockage, Inlet Marina boasts some of the best fuel prices around, and when it comes to enthusiasm for welcoming cruisers, these good people are in the very top tier!
Good Morning
My goal is to offer cruisers the very best fuel prices in St. Augustine. Please call prior to your arrival, and we can be sure to be on hand to greet your vessel and assist in any way possible. We hope you will remember us for our old fashioned good will and a really caring attitude. Sounds soapy but it’s true.
This is the first time since the USMC that I’ve had a boss but they let me run the marina and fuel dock as my own.
In addition to our on-site restaurant , Beaches, we have signed a tenant that will provide live theater. I recently called the owner of a viking 65 that came thru when we first started and just said hi and thanks-he remembered us ,appreciated the call and I said If I can be of assistance on your southbound trip to give a call.
Hope to see many of you soon as you travel south this fall on the AICW!
Regards.Jay
Great fuel stop and a nice new restaurant.
Friendly service with easy entry and exit right on the ICW. Best fuel prices in St. A with the noted discounts.
Love the afternoon music at Beaches the attached restaurant.
Jason Martin
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Inlet Marina
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The hard to find entrance to this interesting marine lies east and south of the AICW between markers
#58 and #60, a short hop south of the Port Orange Bridge and Daytona Beach.
Wow, I have never had the opportunity to try the on-site restaurant, Boondocks, which Captain Ted speaks of so lovingly below. Looks like we all need to remedy that oversight as soon as possible.
We have become regulars at this out of the way marina with its rickety docks and funky restaurant known as Adventure Yacht Harbor. We had become friends with Jim Boren who has been nursing the marina through
bankruptcy. This is another hard to get into marina, but we like it. Jim reported that the marina has new owners, so things are expected to improve.
We’ve mentioned Boondocks Restaurant before, and it is at least half the reason we like to stop here. Where else can one find a restaurant and bar (wine and beer only) in a marina parking lot under a tent? The food
is good, too, and reasonably priced. One hears boat talk around the bar, and the dining room (for want of a better name) has both conventional tables for four along the walls and long picnic tables in the center where diners mingle. 
The staff is cheerful, friendly, efficient, and each appears to be enjoying her job. When someone leaves a generous tip, the waitress rings a bell. Signs permit smoking only when the tent flaps are rolled up (they were not this time because it was winter and the space heaters were on). Last spring (tent flaps up) kids were along the outside walkway feeding french fries to the fish, who gobbled them up. I told the woman bartender that this was the funkiest restaurant on the ICW assuring her that this was a compliment. I challenged her to name a another restaurant in a tent on a marina parking lot. She thought about it for a long time, and could not come up with anything like it. “And we’re bikers”, she said. “We see lots of places.”
Ted Jones
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The entrance to Palm Cove Marina lies along the western banks of the AICW, south of marker #31. These good folks are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, and are highly recommended by the SSECN bunch.
Also, note Captain Ted’s good experience at the adjacent Marker 32 restaurant. Really have to give this place a try SOON!
This was our third stop at Palm Cove Marina, hard to get into but well worth the bother. It has excellent facilities, good showers (maybe among the best), and a friendly staff. Richard, from the office gave us a ride
to West Marine so Malla could buy a duffel for the upcoming trip.
We had been rather overdoing dining out, but we couldn’t resist one more meal at Channel Marker 32 adjacent to the marina. We decided we’d not get fancy and eat at the bar and that it being a Thursday night in mid January, that shouldn’t be a problem. The place was packed, but the hostess seated us at one of several high tables near the bar. In addition to a usual evening crowd, some sort of group was dining there, which accounted, in part for the crowded bar, but people kept coming and coming. The majority of diners were young and attractive, and we had a ringside seat for people watching. And, every meal we saw going by on a waiter’s shoulder (we were seated up high) looked interesting. Malla had field greens with a Georgia peanut dressing, and a vegetable roll with a soy glaze and sweet Korean chili. I had scallops and grits. Both dinners were as outstanding as our Italian dinners at Fernandina Beach were disappointing. The service was excellent and prompt despite the crowd, and the total bill was only five bucks more. We’ve lucked out the three times we’ve dined here as walk-ins, but a reservation is definitely recommended.
Ted Jones
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Palm Cove Marina
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A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Palm Cove Marina is in a channel west of the Waterway departing at flashing marker #32.
We stopped by at Palm Cove in my 38′ tug on our way down to the keys. We had no problem entering the channel and the fuel dock and pumpout were easy to get to. The staff was excellent with helping us dock and gave me a t-head on C-dock, which was very easy to leave in the morning. Clean restrooms and showers plus good food nearby. We enjoyed our stay and will definitely plan on stopping back there on our way back home.
What you tuggin bout?
As a new cruiser to the cruising community,I found PCM [Palm Cove Marina] a great place to stay. I have a 42 Whitby Ketch that draws 5′. I had no problem getting in to the Marina. I requested a deep slip, so the Dockmaster found me one @ slip D-14. I only wanted to stay for a day, but these people working here were throwing a Christmas party not to miss. What a blast!
I found this place different as the Dockmaster lent me his SUV to run some errands. I needed some parts as well as I had to buy a small toy for their party. They also suggested I check out Marker 32 which they provided a nice Coupon for as well.
I can’t wait to come back, thanks Pcm crew!
Princess
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"Blue Run Springs Park Manatees – St. Johns River"
by: Glen and Jill Moore
