This facility used to be Whitneys Marine, and I have not had the chance to visit here since the name and owners were changed. That makes me doubly glad to have Captain Austine’s detailed report below here on the Net.

16 May 2010.
For the St John’s River south of Jacksonville, this may be the best appointed marina in the laid back river environment until Sanford, the end of the navigable portion of the river 150 miles south, with floating docks, a swimming pool and friendly staff. The ice, mentioned in the previous post, is free and plentiful, allowing us to top up our icebox. With the savings, we paid for a night’s electricity. They do not have a laundry facility, however, despite what one of their brochures claims.
There’s nothing unusual about the men’s and women’s washrooms without locks as they contain a shower and toilet in private cubicles that can be used by more than one person at a time although the small size makes them appear to be designed for single use. There is a third unisex shower-toilet washroom, designated as `family’, that does have a lock and is typical of wheelchair-friendly facilities.
The floating breakwall dampens but doesn’t exclude the wind and river traffic-generated chop. The river is a mile and a half wide at this location but river traffic outside of weekends is considerably less than in the ICW.
We arrived at half tide with no problems, taking the first of two channels into the marina, marked by separate sets of two green day marks each ‘“ both one and three ‘“ leading to the outside floating dock. The other channel, closest to the bridge, takes you to the inside fixed dock.
According to NOAA, the tidal range along the entire St John’s River south of Jacksonville is a foot or less although brisk winds from the north and south can add or subtract an equal amount of water or more respectively from this figure.
Fair winds and following seas,
Austin Whitten
S/Y Discovery II, Vancouver 27, 4’6’ draft

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Fleming Island Marina

This facility sits in a rather isolated location south of Palatka, but, hey, on the St. Johns River, that’s probably what most cruisers are looking for.

Great small town marina. Inexpensive dockage, excellent happy hour under the oak a 5 pm(listen for the bell). It’s also a you can work on it boat yard. Owner may lend you his car to get supplies. Make sure and visit the wooden boat museum in town.
Captain Sterling

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Acosta Creek Marina

Captain Sterling isn’t kidding when he notes that this marina is swept by strong currents. Be ready for these swiftly moving waters as you approach the docks. Even with this drawback, we like to tie up here and take the water taxi cross the St. Johns to the huge Jacksonville Landing shopping/dining complex. Everyone should do this at least once!

Lots of current here! ask for help if you need it! Take the water taxi or dink across river to the Landings for restaurants.
Captain Sterling

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For River City Marina

The Palatka St. Johns River community actually has three places where visiting cruisers might coil their lines. The subject of Captain Sterling’s quick note below lies north of the high-rise span, while you might also choose the city dock or Boat House Marina, south of the span. The city docks are usually free, but power and water hook-ups are minimal at best. Boat House Marina usually has only a limited number of transient slips.

A bit exposed, but relatively inexpensive. Fixed docks. Showers, and laundry. walkable to town. No food [or] shopping close by.
Captain Sterling

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Palatka Quality Inn Docks

I can personally attest to the veracity of Captain Sterling’s report below. I’ve laid my own eyes on the current in question. Request that some of the dock attendants meet you. With their help. and caution, you should find your way safely to your slip.

Currents can rip through here, seek dock assistance if you need it. There is a water taxi to take u across the river to the landings, where there are restaurants, bars, stores, etc. Also the landings has free docking!
Capt. Sterling

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For River City Marina

Here’s some great cruising info for the upper St. Johns River. I particularly join in Captain Root’s recommendation of Blackwater Inn. The food here is awesome!

Boat Tree is our home marina. We completed the loop last month on the Hatteras flying the gold burgee in slip E3. I can highly recommend it to any loopers wanting to do the St. Johns. Having the bar, restaurant and pool right on site is a big advantage, and the dock staff is excellent. It’s a short walk to the dog area. They also have wifi at the dock. It’s the most protected marina in the area, as well. Only disadvantage would be that it’s a ways away from downtown Sanford, but there isn’t a whole lot there anyway. Major grocery stores and a nice shopping mall are a short cab ride. It’s the trip down the river, particulalry below Palatka, that’s the reason for cruising to Sanford anyway. NO DIESEL, though. Sanford Boat Works about 10 miles further south has it, but it’s generally pretty expensive. I suggest topping off the tanks somewhere around Jacksonville.
As you head back up the river there’s a very nice anchorage behind Turkey Island. The anchorage just behind the Ortega River bridge south of Jacksonville is also very good.
The Blackwater Inn at Astor is a very good restaurant with a dock that can accommodate larger boats. You can stay overnight for $25, 50A electric and water included, if you eat in the restaurant.
Safe travels
Bill Root

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Boat Tree Marina

As always, Captain Arnold gives a world of good cruising info!

Subject: St Johns River
Cruising News: 1) After spending a tough 4 weeks or so repainting ‘Pisces’ at Green Cove Springs Marina, my TOTAL bill (including liveaboard on the hard and 3 gallons of good bottom paint) was $806. I defy anyone to find a lower priced DIY yard on the ICW.
2) Spent a night at Ortega Yacht Club Marina just south of Jacksonville – very nice – 90c per ft. Grocery and large marine store nearby, nice showers etc. Nearby – the famous Huckins yard with some splendid boats docked.
3) Spent 2 nights – FOC – at Jacksonville Landing. No power or fuel but adjacent to several good restaurants and stores with a long boardwalk. Be warned – the river current is high at this point which churns up a nasty foam which left an equally nasty stain on my fresh painted hull! Took a fair amount of scrubbing to get it off. You can catch the Skyride to the bus depot which will get you to Walmart and other such stores.
4) Spent a pleasant night at Seafarers Marina – ($1 a ft including power) – nice hospitable owners. No shops nearby but kind liveaboards will take you to a grocery store.
5) Coastguard and Police boats are everywhere on the St Johns often pulling over and boarding boats for no good reason. We can all say it’s in our safety interests – but I find it both annoying and an infringement on our privacy rights. I don’t like their guns either.
Onwards to Fernandina Beach – which I like – and the Georgia border which I like even better.
Captain Arnold

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Ortega Yacht Club Marina

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Seafarers Marina

When I received the laudatory note below from Captain Arnold, I queried him about the reports we had received here on the Cruisers’ Net a couple of months ago, that the docks at Green Cove Springs Marina had been “condemned.” I know from my own visits to this facility, that their physical plant has never been what I would describe as “Bristol.” Be sure to read Arnold’s reply in the second note below.

The lowest cost marina for haul out and DIY yard I have found on the entire ICW is Green Cove Springs Marina some 20 miles south of Jacksonville, FL. So much so that they are currently expanding the yard to accommodate 100 more vessels. 25 ton capacity travel lift – and they also step masts and arrange special repairs.
This is a great marina of the old style. Lots of large bluewater sailboats here – mainly from north USA but also from Canada, Australia, Germany, Denmark, UK, Brazil. The owner types who sail the oceans as if going for a Sunday drive. Very international and friendly people. Even in the cold weather they’re playing bridge and chess on the heated patio. One sailor brought a huge case of fresh picked grapefruit – and another (limit one per person) a big box of yogourt. Not only every possible repair and renovation going on but also a bevy of salty sea stories. They have restrooms, laundry, and a ships store selling stuff at 10% over wholesale cost. Shops and stores are about a mile away – but always many people pleased to give you a ride.
I highly recommend this marina. Check them out at http://gcsm.net/
Captain Arnold
MV Pisces

Good morning Claiborne.
My understanding is that the dock issue is more of an insurance battle to raise premiums. It is also because the dock itself is the property of Reynolds Alluminum and getting them to do anything is both difficult and time consuming. There are many much larger ships at the other 11 docks and really the docks are very durable. Politics may also be involved.
Certainly all boats once tied to the docks have had to leave – but many still store and /or liveaboard either on the hard or on the many mooring balls in 9ft of fresh water. The emphasis of the marina these days is as an excellent vey friendly DIY yard and at prices well below any other marina I have found on the ICW. They have just finished an extra area for another 100 or so boats – with electrical supply and water supply. I would guess there are some 300 boats currenly here on the hard and another 50 at slips (but full).
It’s another Indiantown though they don’t sell fuel.
Captain Arnold
MV Pisces

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Green Cove Springs Marina

This facility, which is the first you will encounter upon entering Ortega River from the St. Johns, has received many positive comments here on the Cruisers’ Net.

Hi all, Not much I can add to what has been written above. Just want to add my own personal recomendation. This is really a first class marina with conveniences not found very often. I have been here a few months waiting to move on to the islands and the marina and staff have made my stay a pleasure. They recently hosted a Super Bowl Party that was superbly handled. This place is a gem and well worth stopping to visit.
Jim Burke,
Blondie

Subject: Ortega Landing Marina, Jacksonville
Cruising News: We would like to report on a most excellent and positive experience that we recently had at Ortega Landing Marina. This is a first class facility run by first class people. Joann, Bob, Amy, and Kris are the team behind this marina’s success. Everyone went out of their way to support us during our 11 day stay when we also enjoyed MTOA’s 20% discount. OLM, located on the Ortega River, is a quarter mile walk to West Marine, Publix, restaurants, and numerous other retail stores. It’s also a bike ride away from downtown and Jacksonville Landing. Marina resident, Ralph, of Yacht Services, gave us the attention we needed to resolve a nagging refrigeration/electrical problem. Each of these wonderful folks made our stay a memorable one and we highly recommend this facility to anyone visiting the Jacksonville area.
Bill and Laura Bender
M/V Kindred Spirit III

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Marina at Ortega River Landing

Boat Tree Marina lies just north of the St. John’s entry into Lake Monroe. This facility features a well sheltered harbor.

Boat Tree Marina in Sanford is our home marina. We will be returning to it when we complete the loop in March. We agree it’s a great spot. Very well protected with an excellent crew. Locked gates to each dock. Restaurant/bar and pool on premises. Pump-out at each slip if you are in the 40’+ slips. Some staff has changed recently due to the down economy. Call me if you want to discuss.
Bill & Kathleen Root
Aboard MV Tucandu in Key West
43′ Hatteras DCMY

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Boat Tree Marina

Those cruisers in the Jacksonville, Florida area who need a recommended surveyor, take note!

Here is an excellent surveyor in Jacksonville:
Contact Jack Allinson
http://www.allinson.com/
Martin I. Veiner

I could not agree more with the crew of Kismet. A cruise of the St. Johns River is simply not to be missed. In addition to the two attractons outline below, there are dozens of off-the-beaten-path anchorage which just beg to have a night spent on their tranquil waters.

Hi from Kismet:
Most . . . will pass Jacksonville, Florida on the way north in the spring and we would encourage those [cruisers] to take in the St Johns River. Yes it’s 140 miles from the ICW all the way south to Sanford but the trip is well worth it, take the time especially if you’ll only be by this area one time.
Two highlights during our trip up river were:
(1) Silver Glen Springs on the west side of Lake George at about mile 110 off the St Johns. This spring goes up 3/4 mile off of the Lake, the water is crystal clear, 72 degrees year-round and therefore great for swimming and inspecting or cleaning the bottom of your boat, we stayed 3 days. Before heading in we called the local Tow-BoatUS to check on water depths and local knowledge. Based on this we came to the spring’s channel from the south. We were advised to find the SLOW SPEED sign supported by a single post with 2 blue reflectors attached to it with two white stripes on the wood pole. We kept the sign to our starboard and headed diagonally towards the channel in 6 feet of water. Once at the mouth of the channel we found the deepest water to the north side of the channel. When you’re about two-thirds of the way in two sets of buoys split the channel, stay to the south here as there is a sand bar in the middle. Just past this split bow into sand bar (water 2 to 3 feet at bow) set anchor and put out a stern anchor. Well protected, scenic and best to visit during the week as the weekends can be very busy especially in the summer. We were there off-season and there was hardly anyone there.
(2) Blue Springs State Park at mile 141.8 on the St Johns. Proceed past the Park to G75 and pull into Snake Creek to your starboard. Where you find 7 feet of water drop and set your hook and secure a stern anchor. Dinghy back to the State Park and beach your dinghy. Then you can walk the park’s boardwalk back about 1 mile to the spring. Along the walk there are platforms to view the crystal clear Blue Springs where 101 million gallons of fresh water flows from the spring daily. Because the water her is a continual 72 degrees, year-round, it’s a manatee migration destination. We saw eight to ten while we were there along with fish and large turtles. In the spring, summer and early fall you can also swim in the spring area.
Go to our blog: http://www.favorsgreatloopblog.com to see a visual presentation of our trip on the St. Johns River (2009).
Jim & Lisa Favors – Kismet
Fathom 40 Fast Trawler

Lambs Yacht Center is the most upstream of the facilities on the Ortega River. This stream makes into the St. Johns River a short hop upstream of downtown Jacksonville. Lambs is a long-time SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, and we can not recommend this yard and marina too highly.

We had very good service at a reasonable price at Lamb’s in Jacksonville, FL. After the work was done on our 44 footer, they even let us stay a few days at no cost.
John aboard “Semper Fi”

We, too, have had work done at Lamb’s in 2007 and returned again this year for more work, recently completed to our satisfaction. This is very secure and pleasant marina and yard, within walking distance of one of the biggest used book stores we’ve ever seen, and also within walking distance of a pretty good shopping mall.
We heartily recommend them.
Peter and Jeanne aboard Watermelon

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Lambs Yacht Center

Plummers Cove indents the eastern banks of the St. Johns River, immediately north of the I-295 high-rise bridge. It is a good spot to drop the hook overnight in calm weather, or with winds wafting from the east, northeast or southeast.

We have used this anchorage for YEARS as wonderful weekend spot. The holding is great- sand under mud. Wind protection is good. No current. Few wakes. Scenery is nice- bridge is pretty at night. Can be noisy from the bridge traffic if the wind is from the south. Take the dinghy north around the point into Goodbys’ Creek to dock at Hooters and access local stores.
R. J. McMullen

We agree with this comment on Plummers’ Cove. We anchored there on the 4th of July, and had an amazing view of FOUR fireworks shows. Great place to drop the hook and have supper.
Traffic passing under the Buckman Bridge was dicey, as many boaters returning south from downtown Jacksonville were lacking in courtesy.
Fred Nelson

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s St. Johns River Directory Listing For

Please note – the discussion below about the St. Johns River was copied from the MTOA List-Serv
As for the infamous Shands Bridge at Green Cove Springs, I myself would never try to take a sailcraft with a 46.5 mast under this span. That is truly flirting with disaster!
I’m glad to hear (see below) that a new 65-foot high rise bridge is currently under constructions to take the place of the current 45-foot (official clearance) Shands Bridge. This span has long been a barrier for sailors who want to enjoy this magnificent body of water.
Conversely, cruising the St. Johns River may just be the best cruising offered by the eastern shoreline of the Sunshine State, at least north of Miami. The river is not only beautiful, but if you enjoy anchoring off, you may think you have died and gone to cruising heaven.
Diesel fuel is a bit scarce along the course of the St. Johns, so fill up at every opportunity. Otherwise, ENJOY!

My wife and I are planning a trip in the winter of 2010 to St. John’s River. Another couple with a sailboat plan to join us, but have a problem with the Shands Bridge’s 45 foot clearance. Their mast height is 46.5 feet. Is it likely that wind induced variations in water levels will make it possible for them to pass, if we wait for such variations? It appears that the normal tide range at Green Cove Springs is only about 0.7 feet.
Thanks for any information.
Norman Mason
Monk 36, “Peggy Sue”

We went about half way up the St. Johns River in March, 2009. I don’t know about getting under the Shands Bridge.? Do you have a cruising guide? We used mostly Doziers Southern 2008 Waterway Guide. We stayed a few days at Ortega Yacht Club Marina (we had family near there and it was convenient for us and them).? At that time it was 125. per foot. We also used [Claborne Young’s] guide and if I can find it I will email you that one. How can you not find things on a boat!?!?!?> He has MUCH more information on where to anchor and great little out of the way restaurants up little creeks, etc. I don’t know if your sailboat friends can go up these small rivers. You may have to anchor the sailboat out and take your trawler…we had no trouble with Two Cats Too.
Good Luck! The St. Johns is BEAUTIFUL…someday I want to go all the way to Palatka!

Ref the info you asked about for your friends mast passing under Shands Bridge. We live in Green Cove Spgs and pass through Shands on regular basis. 45 ft max height is stated and you can get more clearence with heavy tidal flows but you should not count on it. Heavy rains can keep water higher than normal. Also, Shands like other bridges has a stated 2′ “higher” center clearence. We pass under Shands this morning at low tide and noted that clearence markers gave “46” ft of clearence. Other option; lower mast and cruise all of the river up to Sanford Fl, 150+ miles, many are narrow creeks with deep water, great cruising, but NOT for blowboats!!!
Enjoy the river, you will love it.
Gary

They are building a new 65 foot bridge there. Check Cruisersnet.net to check on progress. The St. John’s has no “tide” variation with or without wind!! We boated on the river for over 20 years. Beautiful!
Judy

We have to pass under the Shands Bridge later this week with a 47′ mast (Hunter 30). Gary’“if you’re out there’“can you give us the latest reading on the clearance markers?
I bought a laser measuring device at Lowe’s & plan to point that up at the underside of the bridge. I’ll be prepared to follow the methods of the `mast tipper’ & heel the boat if necessary. Any other suggestions are most welcome.
Ted Johnson

Wow, talk about a ringing endorsement!

10/09 update. We came to Acosta Creek to look at a boat for sale & were so impressed we immediately moved our RV here & now are buying a boat in the marina. The marina is small & remote but peaceful and charming. The owners, kathy & Jay, are delightful. Transient slips are available as well as the services mentioned above.
Ted Johnson/BJ Hawk

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Acosta Creek Harbor

Boy, this one is news to me. Fort Caroline overlooks the southern shores of the St. Johns River from a high earthen cliff, upstream of Mayport. I don’t remember any sort of dockage here, but clearly that has changed since I last researched these waters. From Captain Thomason’s description below, sounds like this would be a great stop, assuming you can drop the hook nearby, within dinghying distance.

We don’t have an up-to-date East Coast Florida guide either but the 2000 edition says one cannot dock at Ft. Caroline (and this was the case about 4 years ago when we stopped by). So maybe you already know this but the dock is now open to the public. There are two 28 ft slips on the land side of the dock. The depths are 8 ft or so but the distance from the slips to the rip rap shoreline is not great. A small run-about could dock there but nothing bigger. We anchored just north of the dock in 20 feet of water (just opposite the fort fence) and took the dinghy in to the dock. Like Kingsley Plantation there is a 59 minute docking limit but this is obviously not enforced, especially for a dinghy. There are nice exhibits in the visitor’s center and there is a Park Service constructed fort to give one an idea of what the fort looked like. It is not on the site of the original fort (which is unknown). The memorial column is not walking distance away, according to a ranger. This makes a nice stop coming up the St. John River.
Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE)

The praise keeps rolling in for this fine facility, located on the Ortega River, just upstream from downtown Jacksonville.

If you are considering staying a night or a few months in the JAX area this winter, I strongly suggest you consider Ortega Landings. Great staff, super friendly and helpful. Friendly live aboards. Very aafe and secure. Great boater’s lounge. Dockside pump out. Floating concrete docks. Pool. Free washers/dryers. Very clean and bright restrooms/shower facilities. Nice mall within 2 residential blocks of the marina with Publix, CVS, two marine stores, department stores, several fast food/coffee shop/casual dining places, two banks. Nice park near by for evening walks. I think this place would make a great ‘˜destination’ marina for snow birds who are looking for some place more laid back than the south Florida scene.
Rick Parish

Ortega Landing is a great marina anyway you want to judge it. The staff is very helpful and very professional. The facilities are new and beautifully organized. The pricing is very competitive. Walking distance to good resturants, grocery stores, UPS Store and a West Marine. We are extending our stay and plan to make this an annual stop. I would recommend this facility to anyone.
Marsha and Bob
M/V `Threadbare’

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Marina at Ortega Landing

The series of messages below are yet another example of how things don’t stay the same in the cruising guide business.
Boat Tree Marina guards the St. Johns River, a very short hop north of this stream’s entry into Lake Monroe. The last time I researched this facility, the transient dock had 30 amp power connections. Then, today, I received the message below.

Boat Tree Marina: has 50 amp and pumpout at most slips. The othe `T’ and slips have 30 amp.
Frank Hartle

So, I e-mailed Captain Hartle, and allowed as to how my information was at variance. He sent along the very informative reply below:

Claiborne, in February 2006 the Admiral and I moved our 47′ Atlantic from Florida’s west coast to the St Johns River and Boat Tree Marina. They put us on a 40′ “T” dock at the end of “F” dock which is located on the river. That was their transient dock and had 30/50 amp with pump out at dock. We resided their until December of that year because they were full at the time. Have since moved to the beautiful and remote Sanford Boat Works and Marina that I have wrote to you about. That transient dock is still unoccupied as is over half of the slips in the marina.
Regards,
Frank

So, clearly Captian Frank’s information is more up to date than my own!

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Boat Tree Marina

Colee Cove Anchorage is located on the eastern shores of the St. Johns River, a short distance upstream of Green Cove Springs, and the Shands Bridge.

WARNING – Many of the piling shown it the bottom (EAST) of Collee cove are still there and SOLID!!!
N29 56.392 W81 34.463
Rex & Jimmie

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida – St. Johns River Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Colee Cove