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Please Note That Postings Below From Fellow Cruisers Are Listed in Chronological Order, Based on Publication Date
It’s a 13 mile cruise up the St. Johns River from the AICW to the Jacksonville waterfront, where mariners will discover Jacksonville Landing, on the north side of the St. Johns, midway between the Main Street Bridge and the Acosta Bridge. This complex is a downtown shopping mall/food court with a stage area for special events and concerts, featuring its own dock for visiting pleasurecraft, as described below.
We are enchanted with our short 3-day stay at the Landing. We would have liked a place to take a shower, and we felt a little bit like celebrities on display as many passersby asked us questions about the cruising life, but they were kind and harmless. The docks are over 1000 feet long, floating, and have the capacity for more than 50 boats. The sign says boats must be willing to be rafted 5 deep along the docks!! Oh my!! The current is strong here (tidal) but the docks are in sections and the balustrades stick out far enough that the docked boats are somewhat in the lee….still need stout bow, stern, and spring lines and large fenders as boats are side-tied. Exposure to the wind from the ESE and SW; the fetch to the ESE is about a mile downstream in the river, so a ESE wind will start a chop at the docks sometimes. In the springtime there is an afternoon easterly sea breeze. The library is 5 blocks away, the Winn Dixie supermarket is 7 blocks away. The MegaBUS stop is within easy walking distance for out of town guests arriving or departing. The Jax Airport is a long cab/van/bus ride away north of town. The MegaBUS stop is also the central terminal for the city buses, which are reliable and generally run on time, although the frequency of buses on many routes is not very often.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jacksonville Landing
Ortega Landing, the first facility you will encounter upon entering the Ortega River from the St. Johns, is indeed a fine facility, as is nearby Lambs Marine Center.
I could not resist throwing in a strong recommendation for Ortega Landing Marina just inside the Ortega River south of JAX. Great rates, free laundry, pool and jacuzzi. One block from Publix and all sorts of stores.
Rusty Carlisle
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ortega Landing Marina
Crystal Cove Resort Marina lies along the western shores of the St. Johns River, north of Palatka. The marked entry channel cuts west from the main river passage between markers #42A and #43.
Crystal Cove Resort on St. John’s River has New Owners. The place is great. Check out Blog Site @ http://crystalcoveresort.blogspot.com
Stephen Jeffrey Cull
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Crystal Cove Marina
Green Cove Springs Marina lies on the St. Johns River’s southwestern shores, in the heart of the old Navy Base, upstream of the Green Cove Springs City Dock, between Jacksonville and Palatka. This place has always had a “down on its luck” atmosphere every time we have visited here over the years. However, as evidenced by Captain Good’s comments below, do-it-yourselfers love this place, and it sounds like some improvement may be coming in the future. On the other hand, we’ve head that story before, and then nothing has seemed to happen.
We looked high and low for a boat yard which would allow do-it-yourself work and also had reasonably priced long term storage. We finally chose Green Cove Springs Marina. It is a good old fashioned boatyard with friendly helpful staff. So far we have been delighted. Rumor has it they will be adding soon to the bathroom and shower facilities which is a modest weak point at present. Also I hear more vehicle parking is coming. And, at a time when other marinas are raising prices to uncomfortable amounts, GSM is not only reasonably priced, but they have room for lots of bo462Yats!
Reggie Good
We found our boat in the long term storage lot at Green Cove Springs Marina. We moved it in to the work lot which was reasonbly priced and found the staff to be very accomodating and helpful. The store in the office had everything we needed at better prices than anywhere else we looked. The other folks working on their boats in the work yard were equally as helpful and friendly and most were hard at work.
While the bathrooms and showers are certainly on the dingy side and my husband was pretty grossed out by the men’s shower, we found the facility to be just fine for our needs. We weren’t there to live in luxury, we were there to work.
We’ve since moved in to the moorings. The staff was incredibly wonderful when we launched. They were fun, patient with us (we’re new to big boats) and so helpful.
I wouldn’t swim in the river anywhere near the boatyard and I would never eat anything that came out of there as it was an old Navy yard and the amount of lead and copper and other heavy metals in that water must be very high.
We’ll be moving out soon but while we are using Green Cove Springs Marina’s mooring balls and facilities, we are very happy with them. We’ll look forward to seeing the staff and using their work lot any time we have repairs to make on the dry or require long term storage.
DeVaich
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Lambs Yacht Center, a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, lies just off the St. Johns River, upstream from downtown Jacksonville, on the Ortega River. Few would argue that this is the premiere repair facility on the entire 100+ nautical miles of the St. Johns!
We used Lambs marina for our seasonal break. They have a concrete roof so very secure (reportedly was going to be a floor for a condo complex)
Jim and Vaughn on TWINS
We have “Joysea” our 39′ Mainship stored at Lamb’s Yacht Center, Jacksonville, FL. It appears to be a great hurricane hole, including covered concrete wet slips. We plan to leave Joysea there during the summer (or until she is sold). Our insurance premiums did not go up because of the protection provided by the marina. A shopping center is within walking distance (grocery store, restaurants, etc.). No courtesy car, but Mr. Nightengale, owner, drove us to the car rental store. If you plan to stay there ask for the go-to guy, William. He is knowledgeable and extremely helpful.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Lambs Yacht Center
It’s a fascinating cruise of some 140 nautical miles from the St. Johns River’s inlet at Mayport, to the city of Sanford on Lake Monroe. And here, cruisers will discover Monroe Harbour Marina, a long-time, cruiser friendly spot! The “local knowledge” shared below will be of help when you visit!
Entering Monroe Harbour Marina’s east basin can be tough, because it is poorly marked. After rounding G “5″, off to the north east you will see two small white PVC pipes. A straight line from G “5″ to the west pipe will give you at least 8 feet of water at the lowest water levels. When you approach the pipes keep them close on Your port side. Continue on this heading until you are clear of the pipes, then you can turn toward the red marker just outside of the East basin entrance.
Lake Monroe Local
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After several months of maintenance closures and inconvenience to area boaters and cruisers wanting to access the charms of the St. Johns River, the Florida East Coast Railroad Bridge in downtown Jacksonville has returned to its normal schedule, i.e. open except when trains are crossing the river. This is especially good news for Jacksonville boaters since the closed vertical clearance of the bridge is only 5ft.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of FEC RR Bridge
St. Johns Marina is just a short hop north of the De Land/Whitehair Bridge, along the St. John’s northeasterly banks.
The St. Johns Marina is open, however the restaurant is CLOSED, and has been for some time.
Captain Mike
2012/3/9
Sittin here- 3:30 pm on a Fri- no one here- restaurant closed tighter than drum and for a long time.
Someone is skimming this place big time- Used to be a full service hopping place-
JockoPfwPfd
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For St. Johns Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of St. Johns Marina
South of Palatka, FL, what was once supposed to be the “Cross Florida Barge Canal” intersects the St. Johns River’s western shoreline, south of the “Seven Sisters.” This always environmentally controversial project was abandoned back in the 1960′s, but a dam was constructed on the Okalwaha River, and one lock was put in place on the canal connecting the St. Johns River to the lake created by the dam. We journeyed through these debris strewn waters back in the 1990′s, and emerged with shaft and prop damage due to semi-sunken obstructions.
The canal leads to an eerie lake, with dead trees all around, due to the flooded lands, and an almost palatable silence. We couldn’t wait to leave.
Since those times, there has been serious talk about removing the dam across the Oklawaha River, and allowing this stream to return to its natural course. As far as I know, that idea has died on the vine, probably due to lack of funding.
Below, Captains Chuck and Claria present far more updated info about cruising through the Buckman Lock to Lake Oklawaha (a. k. a. Rodman Reservoir), from the St. Johns River. For my money, even with the below described improvements, this is still a very off the beaten path cruising destination, fit only for the most adventurous among us!
I talked to Bill Root last night, lives in Yalaha, FL on Lake Harris and keeps BUFFALO GAL, his 54′ Hatteras, at Sanford Boatworks and Marina, south of Lake Monroe. Because of the draught, Lake Harris at the head waters of Oklawaha River which flows into the St. John’s River near Welaka, is 2′ lower than normal and he has concern on being able to get BUFFALO GAL into Lake Monroe with this low water level. Expect to see water levels lower than normal as you get close to the head waters. We were considering coming south with thoughts of going up into the Oklawaha River through Buckman Lock, the first lock in the Cross Florida Barge Canal. The Corps of
Engineers spend 85 days in early 2011 removing trees, limbs, and other vegetative debris from the navigation channel. This would imply you could be able to at least get into Rodman Reservoir. Buckman Lock operates 4 days per week, Thursday to Sunday, 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Phone number for lock is 386-329-3575. Eureka Lock and Dam, the second lock planned for the Canal, was never completed so water depth up river towards Silver River is probably marginal. Buckman Lockmaster may be able to tell you how far up the river you could go. You could take a day trip in your dingy a ways up the river if you’re interested, and if somebody has a fast dingy could possibly get
all the way to Silver Springs. As the crow flies, it’s about 22 miles from Rodman Reservoir to the Silver River, but I expect it’s about 40 miles as the river flows. Nothing up there but lots of wilderness.
Chuck and Claria Gorgen
It’s a fascinating cruise of some 140 nautical miles from the St. Johns River’s inlet at Mayport, to the city of Sanford on Lake Monroe. And here, cruisers will discover Monroe Harbour Marina, a long-time, cruiser friendly spot!
Below, we have copied a discussion reprinted from the American Great Loop Cruisers’ Association forum, concerning this facility. This is valuable reading for any captain bound for Monroe Harbour!
We’re planning to stay Monroe Harbor Marina which has a great rate for BoatUS members and should keep us in deep enough water in Sanford.
Jeanie & Wes on
M.V. Miss Ruby
Be very careful going into Monroe Harbor. There is very skinny water even in good times. We drew 4 feet and churned a good bit of mud entering last April.
Paul Brannon
SEASEA
When I sent my previous message about Lake Monroe and the approach to Monroe Harbor Marina I did not have my chart book in front of me. I was out on Lake Monroe yesterday and realized the directions I gave in my previous post were not as clear as they should be. Let me clear it up:
After you pass under the railroad bridge and enter Lake Monroe, you will encounter a well-marked channel that leads to a turning basin about two miles out at G7. At that basin you want to take the channel that heads SW straight to the marina. This channel is well maintained. About three quarters of the way down the channel at R7 you will see another channel that heads to the right toward the shore. DO NOT take that channel. It is not maintained and is quite shallow in spots. Continue heading straight toward the marina.
Monroe Harbor has two basins, east and west. The entrances to both can get skinny in spots so be careful and watch your depth sounder carefully going in. If you are directed to the east basin, be sure to favor the red side of the entrance where the buildings are. The side with the wall is shallow.
Bill & Kathleen Root
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Monroe Harbour Marina
Moving south from Jacksonville on the St. Johns River, (yes, believe it or else, that’s “upstream”), one of the best anchorages along the run along the entire run from Jax to Palatka, comes up along the western banks south of Orange Park. Of course, your vessel must be able to get under a 37-foot bridge to access the waters beyond, known as Doctors Lake. Mill Cove is one of several possible anchor down spots here, but do watch out for the correctly charted pilings if you stray too near the rear of the cove.
We are in Mill Cove on Doctors Lake tonight. Lovely spot.
Jeanie & Wes on
M.V. Miss Ruby
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Mill Cove Anchorage
The Local Notice to Mariners for week 04/12 has a long list of Florida bridge closures for upcoming charity events. Some are only 30-45 minute and some are several hours. Make notes on your calendars and plan accordingly. Some of the listings duplicate earlier LNMs. NB: Main Street Bridge in Jacksonville is US 1, US 17.
FLORIDA – ST. JOHNS RIVER – MAIN STREET BRIDGE – JACKSONVILLE: Bridge Closure.
The Main Street (US 17) Bridge across the St. Johns River mile 24.7, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida will be closed to navigation from 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. on January 28, 2012 to accommodate the “Run 5 Keep Kids Alive” event.
Chart: 11491 CG File: 2715
FLORIDA – ST. JOHNS RIVER – MAIN STREET BRIDGE – JACKSONVILLE: Bridge Closure.
The Main Street (US 17) Bridge across the St. Johns River mile 24.7, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida will be closed to navigation from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. on February 18, 2012 to accommodate the “Sulzbacher Center 8k and 1
Mile Run/Walk” event. Chart: 11491 CG File: 2715
FLORIDA – ST. JOHNS RIVER – MAIN STREET BRIDGE – JACKSONVILLE: Bridge Closure.
The Main Street (US 17) Bridge across the St. Johns River mile 24.7, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida will be closed to navigation from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on March 10, 2012 to accommodate the “Gate River Run” event.
Chart: 11491 CG File: 2715
FLORIDA – ST. JOHNS RIVER – MAIN STREET BRIDGE – JACKSONVILLE: Bridge Closure.
The Main Street (US 17) Bridge across the St. Johns River mile 24.7, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida will be closed to navigation from 7:00 p.m. on July 4 through 1:00 a.m. on July 5, 2012 to accommodate the “Freedom, Fanfare & Fireworks” event. Ref: LNM 01 and 02-12 Chart: 11491 CG File: 2715
FLORIDA – ORTEGA RIVER – ORTEGA RIVER BRIDGE – JACKSONVILLE: Bridge Closure.
The Ortega River Bridge across the Ortega River mile 0.3, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida will be closed to navigation from 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. on February 25, 2012 to accommodate the “Daily’s Ortega River Run” event.
Chart: 11491 CG File: 2376
FLORIDA – BOCA RATON INLET – OCEAN BOULEVARD (SR A1A) BRIDGE: Bridge Closure.
The Ocean Boulevard (SR A1A) Bridge, Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, Florida will be closed to navigation from 7:10 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 15, 2012 for the Annual Wellness Triathlon. Chart: 11467 CG File: 2304
FLORIDA – MIAMI RIVER – BRICKELL AVENUE AND 2ND AVENUE BRIDGES: Bridge Closure:
The Brickell Avenue and 2nd Avenue Bridges across the Miami River, Miami, Florida will be closed to navigation from 6:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on April 26, 2012 for the Miami Corporate Run. Chart: 11468 CG File: 2591
FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – WEST PALM BEACH TO MIAMI – HILLSBORO BOULEVARD BRIDGE: Bridge Closure.
The Hillsboro Boulevard Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Hillsboro, Florida will be closed to navigation from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2012 for the Annual Founders Day Celebration.
Ref: LNM 02-12 Chart: 11467 CG File: 2179
FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – WEST PALM BEACH TO MIAMI – EAST LAS OLAS BRIDGE: Bridge Closure.
The East Las Olas Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Fort Lauderdale, Florida will be closed to navigation from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 19, 2012 to facilitate the Annual Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon. LNM 02-12 ssbnmChart: 11467 CG File: 2444
FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – WEST PALM BEACH TO MIAMI – NEW RIVER – SE 3RD AND ANDREWS AVENUE BRIDGES: Bridge Closure.
The Southeast 3rd Avenue and the Andrews Avenue Bridges across the New River, Fort Lauderdale, Florida will be closed to navigation from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2012 to facilitate the “Riverwalk Run” event.
Ref: LNM 51-11 through 03-12 Chart: 11467 CG File:
FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – WEST PALM BEACH TO MIAMI – NEW RIVER – SE 3RD AND ANDREWS AVENUE BRIDGES: Bridge Closure.
The Southeast 3nd Avenue and the Andrews Avenue Bridges across the New River, Fort Lauderdale, Florida will be closed to navigation from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2012 to facilitate the “Fort Lauderdale Corporate Run” event. Chart: 11467 CG File: 3017/2128
FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – WEST PALM BEACH TO MIAMI – ING MIAMI MARATHON: Bridge Closures.
The East Venetian Causeway Bridge across Miami Beach Channel will be closed to navigation from 6:00 a.m. to 9:24 a.m., the West Venetian Causeway Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway will be closed to navigation from 6:10 a.m. to 9:56 a.m., the Brickell Avenue (US 1) Bridge across the Miami River will be closed to navigation from 6:25 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., and the South Miami Avenue Bridge across the Miami River, Miami, Florida, will be closed to navigation from 6:25 a.m. to 10: 35 a.m. on Sunday, January 29, 2012 from the ING Miami Marathon Event. Ref: LNM 51-11 through 03-12 Chart: 11468 CG File 2591/2351B/2351A/2118
FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – WEST PALM BEACH TO MIAMI – MIAMI BOAT SHOW: Bridge Closures.
Due to the high volume of vehicle and vessel traffic movement during the Miami Boat Show the East and West Venetian Causeway Bridge, Miami, Florida will be placed on a half-hour schedule. The bridges will open on the top of the hour and bottom of the hour from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily, Monday, February 13 through Tuesday, February 21, 2012. At all other times the bridges will open on demand. Vessels that may pass without an opening may do so at any time.
Ref: Docket Num USCG-2012-0002 Chart: 11468/11467
It’s a 13 mile cruise up the St. Johns River from the AICW to the Jacksonville waterfront, where mariners will discover Jacksonville Landing, on the north side of the St. Johns, midway between the Main Street Bridge and the Acosta Bridge. This complex is a downtown shopping mall/food court with a stage area for special events and concerts. This sprawling center features its own dock for visiting pleasurecraft, as described below.
Jacksonville Landing is a wonderful place to tie up. No charge and you can stay for 72 hrs. NO power or water. Water taxi to cross the river, free bus service all over the city for 60?/65+, skyway to look over the city. The Museum of Science and History is worth a stop. We haven’t been to the library yet, but hear it’s special. The stadium and the theater are walking distance. Free wifi. AND if you tie up in the right spot, you can watch the flat screen TVs at Chicago Pizza and American Grill from your boat, or walk a few feet, buy a beer, and watch them a bit closer.
Jeanie and Wes Quigley
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jacksonville Landing
The Three Mile/I-295 Bridge crosses the St. Johns south of Beauclerc Bluff and unlighted daybeacon #9 and south of the Jacksonville Naval Air Station.
On Friday, passed through the three-mile-295 bridge (aka the Buckman Bridge) with inches to spare at height of 67′ at almost low tide. The gauge read 66+. The tide range up there is only about 2-3 feet.
I think the report of 63 feet in the listing of the bridge must have been at a Spring Tide high water mark. Because of the report we went through at a COG of about 1/4 knot, against a still vigorous tidal current, expecting to tickle the lower beams of the bridge with our VHF antenna and hoping for nothing worse. Never touched!
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Bridge Directory Listing For I-295 Bridge
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of I-295 Bridge
I have only briefly glanced at the guide book linked below, but at the time it seemed like a good resource for cruising the magnificent river!
This is another guide to cruising the St Johns River. It includes charts of the river.
http://www.bluewaterweb.com/p-814-st-johns-river-boating-cruising-guide.aspx
I’m planning on cruising the St Johns this spring or fall, finally. It’s been my goal for a few years and I’ve about talked my wife into it.
Ron Widman
The question and answer exchange below occurred on the Great Loop (GL) list, a great resource for the cruising community. And, yes, Bob and Judy, Captain Jim should certainly check ActiveCaptain for anchorages (it’s a good informational source for the cruising community), but please be aware that the Cruisers’ Net also has extensive marina and anchorage directories for the St. Johns River (linked below)!
We are planning a trip on the St Johns this Spring…. Anyone know when the leaves start to come out on the St Johns River in the Spring?
Also, favorite places and anchorages to consider?
Thanks,
Jim TWINS
Are you talking about the St. Johns River in Florida? If so, it’s FLORIDA – there are always some leaves on the deciduous trees, and of course, palm trees don’t shed all at once and the evergreens (well, you get the idea).
It’s a great trip. Check our blog at http://sanderling2010.blogspot.com/ for our thoughts on the river. Since it’s a relatively short lineal cruise (180 miles each way from the ICW crossing near Mayport to Sanford (all in Florida) it’s easy to check Active Captain for anchorages and other places of interest, as well as the other cruising guides. Claiborne Young does a nice job of describing the area, its history, etc (as he does with all the areas he covers) in his eastern Florida guide.
March through May would be a good time for the cruise.
Bob McLeran and Judy Young
MV Sanderling
The St Johns is the cruise I want to take. Sooner, rather than later. Is the spring better than the fall, say September/October? I would like to see the manatees, alligators, etc. and be able to take a swim (away from the alligators of course) from time to time. It’s going to be a four to five week cruise from Charleston, SC and back.
Ron Widman
We spent weeks, maybe four, heading from Jacksonville to Sanford in November of 2008. We had perfect weather and very little traffic, as an added bonus we had no bugs! It’s a wonderful trip and should be done slowly to really enjoy all the sights and sounds. Here is the link to our photos and
stories on our blog.
http://btlifes2short.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html
http://btlifes2short.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html
Have a great trip and watch those gators!
Todd & Brenda Lanning
Life’s2Short
Click Here To Open the Cruisers’ Net’s St. Johns River Marina Directory
Click Here To Open the Cruisers’ Net’s St. Johns River Anchorage Directory
The Florida East Coast RR Bridge in downtown Jacksonville runs parallel to the Acosta St. Bridge and has a vertical clearance of 5ft when in closed position.
LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS: Week 41-11
FLORIDA – ST JOHNS RIVER – FEC RAILROAD BRIDGE: Bridge Closure.
The FEC Railroad Bridge across the St Johns River mile 24.9, Jacksonville, Florida will be closed to navigation from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from November 1 through November 30, 2011. There will be an opening for mariners to pass between 12 noon and 1:30 p.m. daily. MSIB 35-11 Jacksonville can be found at http://homeport.uscg.mil Jacksonville. Ref: LNM 38 through 41-11, MSIB 35-11 –JAX Chart: 11491
Click Here To View the Most Recent LNM on Restrictions
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of FEC RR Bridge
Acosta Creek Harbor Marina and Guest Quarters lies on the east side of the St. Johns River between markers #41 and 42A, south of Seminole Grove, FL.
A great little marina! Kathy and Jay were very helpful with docking and offered suggestions when our AC was out. Showers clean. Easy in and easy out for our 37ft O’Day. They also have a DIY yard and a closed lift should you need a haul out.
Torie Cannon
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Acosta Creek Harbor
"Ladys Island Swing Bridge Opening for Sailboat (Beaufort, SC)"
by: Bob Schwerzel
