Cruising Description of the St. Johns River
The St. Johns is a bit of a trip off the ICW, but worth it. You can anchor in several places downstream of Jacksonville, which may be necessary depending on how far you are going the first day and because there is a lot of current in the river at times. In Jacksonville proper, Jacksonville Landing dock downtown on the LDB (north bank) is fun, because it is free and there are several bars and restaurants within a few hundred feet/yards. It can get a little noisy from bands on weekends, but it is all free. We happened to get lucky and go to the Metro Diner for Sunday breakfast. This is a truly classic neighborhood restaurant. We were super lucky to find it, and you will do well to go there, even if you have to use a taxi.
A little further upstream, under the sometimes problematical railroad bridge, you will get to the Ortega River and the excellent marinas and yards there. It can be shallow, so if you have a deep draft, go slowly. One low drawbridge and you are there.
Then, go upstream to Six Mile Creek. Feel your way in to the 1000 foot long dock in front of the Outback Crab Shack restaurant. The restaurant is a happening in itself, and if you eat there, the dock is free (no water or electric). Very nice dock, and they never checked to see if we were boaters or if we were docked there. Take the dinghy all the way up the creek for some fun nature viewing.
If you need a marina by now, check out Palatka. It is about the biggest city until you get to Sanford. Several marinas are here, although we didn’t stay in any. Instead, we continued upstream to Murphy Creek, a delightful anchorage in a winding `creek.’ Murphy Creek can be busy with fishermen and small watercraft on weekends, so try to hit it on a weekday. A giant alligator we called “Albert” can be seen sometimes sunning himself on a fallen tree on the bank. It is a deep creek, and good anchoring. There are many, many anchorages and not many marinas until you get past Lake George and toward Astor. Nothing great there either. Anchoring is the way to go.
There is then a free dock at Welaka, FL that is home to very little except for a marvelous maritime museum, the love of a man named Robert Speas, who is the museum curator and jack-of-all-trades. Meet him.
A bit further you come to Huntoon Island State Park. Near the north end are several marinas, a few anchorages, great sightseeing, dinghying, and even swimming. Check it all out. It is worth a stop for at least the day. As usual, this place gets very busy on weekends in the winter.
Then is Lake Monroe, Sanford, and the Monroe Harbor Marina. This is an excellent marina. It is close to town and several restaurants, is full service and even has a courtesy vehicle. Nice folks. Lots of snowbirds stay here for the winter months. It is also close to Orlando, if you are interested in that.
Then, you reverse your steps and check out the places you missed. Overall, an excellent side trip off the usual beaten path of the ICW.
I am sorry for the long post, but folks seemed to be asking’¦
Captain Bill Donovan
Be the first to comment!