The posting below from Captain John Haluska (copied from the AGLCA list) is very interesting, and contains a lot of useful cruising tips if you decide to go offshore along the Georgia coastline. However, let me make it crystal clear that neither I, nor anyone here at the Cruisers’ Net, is recommending the use of Wassaw Sound Inlet (see below). The one time I even had the nerve to take a look at this passage, we turned around and got out of there as quickly as possible!

Last year we were traveling though that area and were very worried about passing all of the low spots just before high tide and still being able to make a marina for the night. The tide cycle was not in our favor. We had good weather and decide to go outside. (Four looper boats)
The channel out of St Simon is great, no problem. Now it was where to duck back in. We were all trawlers and no one was anxious to do an overnighter. To make a long story short we called Thunderbolt Marine and they told us to come back in at Wassaw Sound Inlet. The chart does not show adequate buoys at that inlet, but the marina assured us that there were four more buoys to lead you from the sea-buoy to the charted buoys on the river. Just to be careful I called the Coast Guard and they confirmed the same.
The entrance turned out to be a piece of cake with one caveat. We navigated to the sea-buoy and then could not see any buoys. Talk about a bad feeling. Then I noticed on our radar one extra blip and
it turns out the the first buoy is very small and is located back to the southwest of the sea-buoy. We were far enough out that we went right by it on our way to the sea-buoy. We backtracked to that buoy
and then could see the next buoy to the North, and then from there the next buoy turned us West and into the mouth of the river. The river runs right up to the ICW and intersects just to the south of
Thunderbolt Marina. The run will let you pass most of the low spots in GA.
Safe Travels
John Haluska
M/V Emery El
DeFever 49 RPH

Two-Way Fish Camp should change its name to “Two Way Full Service Marina.” This facility offers just about every service cruisers would ever want, except for a Laundromat and Wi-Fi internet access.

Stopped at 2 Way Fish Camp yesterday for fuel, $2.60/gal for diesel. There are big currents getting in out of the fuel dock so you need to have your ship handling hat on or go in at slack. I was by myself and Jerry the dockmaster let me linger so I had dinner at their restaurant – was good. When I left I went down river a mile or so and anchored in the straight part of the river in 12′. Good holding strong currents. MM619.
Charles

Good Job Martha Ann,
Two Way Fish Camp and Mud Cat Charlie’s (restaurant)is an old stomping ground of mine. Hat’s off to ya for getting Martha Ann in and out of thefuel dock in any current. The fuel dock narrow fairway approach is 90 degrees to the current (which can reach 5+knts on the ebb) and the fuel dock area very tight and depending on the tide may be very skinny. We use to teach docking there because of it’s difficulty in certain conditions. You obviously passed!
Joe

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Two Way Fish Camp

I love dropping our hook on the waters of Wahoo River. It is amony my very favorite of the less obvious coastal Georgia anchorages.
You do have to be careful to stay east of a point abeam of charted Wahoo Island’s easterly tip. Just a bit farther to the west, uncharted shallows will be encountered.

Spent a very quiet night here yesterday. We anchored in 17 feet at MLW with only a slight current and almost no wind. The anchor grabbed at once and set great. Very peaceful as has been the previous 3 times we’ve stayed here. This is a great protected spot for anything coming from the North or East.
Larry Morrow

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Anchorage Directory Listing For Wahoo River Anchorage

I’ve long argued that Georgia’s Little Mud River section of the AICW, is the single WORST Waterway stretch on the entire run from Norfolk, VA to Key West, FL. Captain Larry’s report below does nothing but reinnforce this opinion!

We came thru here today 45 minutes before high tide. We saw nothing less than 12.4 feet and most of the way was 15+. But at low tide with a 8 foot swing, this cut would be impossible for most vessels with more than a 4ft draft.
Larry Morrow

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Entry for Little Mud River

Wow, talk about an up to the minute report (3-3-2010) report on this anchorage. Note that Herb River intersects the Georgia portion of the AICW just south of the facilities at Thunderbolt, GA!

Just dropped the in the exact location of the anchor on the above chart. It’s dead low tide and we are in 14.4 feet. Added another 9 feet to the depth to figure out how much chain to let out for the high tide. Winds are on our nose at 18K and slack current. Nice views of some pretty houses and docks. Pleanty of room where we are for about 3-4 40 foot boats with 100 ft of rode each.
Larry Morrow

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Herb River Anchorage

I plucked the little gem below from the AGLCA mail list. There’s some good info here about both Hinkley Yacht Services and Thunderbolt Marina, both located directly on the AICW, south of Savannah River.

I would suggest Savannah over Beaufort if you need to travel by air. Savannah has two excellent facilities to consider: Thunderbolt Marina an Hinckley Yacht Services. They are within a mile of each other at approx. MM 583 on the ICW. They are both actually in the little town of Thunderbolt, GA, a suburb of Savannah.
Hinckley advertises outdoor storage, while Thunderbolt doesn’t talk about storage, yet I have walked among the boats blocked in their yard. Either can easily haul and block your boat. Either can do full service on your boat. We had Hinckley do extensive fit-up on our Monk 36 and were very pleased with their work.
Hinckley is at 912-629-2400, and Thunderbolt is 912-352-4931.
Both Savannah and Beaufort are delightful towns for visitors, Savannah being much larger, of course.
Bill Donovan

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Hinkley Yacht Services

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Thunderbolt Marine

I second Captain Dave’s recommendation below for Cargo’s Restaurant. The food here is awesome!

Excellent marina and bath/head/laundry facilities above average. Lounge excellent (2). Well worth the effort of getting there.
Try Cargo’s Restaurant. Absolutely excellent. Voted #6 in all Georgia. Price above average – but worth it.
Capt Dave

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Brunswick Landing Marina

The mischarted stretch of the Georgia AICW at the southern foot of the “Cumberland Dividings,” hard by the AICW/southern Brickhill River intersection, is fast becoming a true AICW problem stretch! I intend to add it to the Net’s “ICW Problems” section shortly. In the meantime, please exercise maximum caution when cruising these waters!

Subject: ICW/ Crooked River
Cruising News: Previous suggestions to stay way left (southbound) from G59 to the “island that isn’t there is valid. I transited about 1+45 before low tide and found depths of 15 to 25 feet until we reached the island and then it started to fall off to 15 feet. We then slowly turned to G63 with good depths. We would not hesitate to go thru here at low tide so long as we followed the channel “uncomfortably close” to the green shore between 59 and the “island”. We ended up at less than 20 yards off by the time we got to the island.
David Jenkins

Subject: Follow up to previous
Cruising News: Cumberland Dividings/Crooked River area:
At G57 – 12.1′
At G57A – 11.9′
Between G57A and G59 – 8.2′ (I proceeded directly from close abeam G57A to close abeam G59) Reading time was 2 hours prior to dead low, so subtract about 2 feet.
Again, whoever found and reported the best way to go through here is to be thanked big time.
Good Cruising.
Capt Dave

Subject: Georgia MM 704 Red Marker 60A
Cruising News: Wed. January 13, 2010. Ran aground at Red Marker 60A AICW MM 704 despite all the warnings. We draw 6 ft and were north of the red marker by 150 ft or so and still grounded. We were about 3′ above MLW and were able to get off. The channel is very close to the shore line here. Cruisers with deep draft vessels should use extreme caution here especially approaching at low tide. Stay uncomfortably close to the shore line and approach slowly. Oh, I forgot to mention to forget the magenta line and charts in this location and follow the markers. We knew of the problems with the charts and shallow water and still grounded at a slow speed.
Capt J Price

Subject: Brickhill River at ICW
Cruising News: Came through this area 0n 1/14/10. The chartplotter posted on this website from October or November by Nellie D is absolutely correct. Stay way over to the green side at 60 and 60A. Go east of the “island”, which does not exist. We had nothing less than 12 feet an hour and a half after low tide. We heard three boats aground at 60 or 60 A, close by them. Stay away to the green side. Claiborne Young’s website will keep you put of trouble all the way if you follow it closely.
Norman Mason

Yes, in this area ignore the magenta line and go way E. After several sweaty palms episodes there I have carefully transited and recorded the following waypoints (S to N) which give 17 feet at MLW:
South: 30d 50.85′N, 081d28.66′W
Mid: 30d 50.92′N, 081d 28.66′W
North: 30d 51.01′N, 081d 28.73′W
Stay uncomfortably close to the E shore AND track directly over the marsh shown (incorrectly) in the middle of the intersection. DO NOT hug the reds!
Carl Gaines

I just went thru this area and this is what I did. I went close abeam to G57, G57A and G59. Minimum depth for this was 8.2 feet between G57A and G59 minus 2′ for tide. So minimum would be about 6.2 feet.
Then I proceeded closer and closer to the shore ending up less that 20 yards off by the time I went by G59A.
I went over the “island” and had over 20 feet. Immediately after the island depth dropped off to 15 feet and I slowly proceeded to turn right towardsG63.
Minimum depths along the shore was 20 to 26 feet minum two for tide. Stay away from R60 and R60A and R62A.
This was accomplished 2 hours prior to dead low.
Capt Dave

I agree 100% with this report. I have my boat berthed at Golden Isle Marina, St. Simons Island, GA. I would recommend going off shore from St. Simons Island to St. Mary’s. If this section does not get you, Jekyll Creek will. Also it is much faster going off shore even at 7kts.
M/V Arctic Jasmine

There is a wide swath of opinion when it comes to Kilkenny Marina. Some, like Captain below, find this facility charming. Others swear they can hear the “Deliverance” music playing in the background as the dock is approached. Let us know about your experiences here. Click on the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, and share your Kilkenny experiences.

Jan 30, 2010 If you want to get some insight as to what it may have been like cruising the ICW 40 years ago, plan to stop here. Very straight forward going up Kilkenny Creek. Side tie on port or starbgoard depending on tidal flow. Restaurant is now open. Call ahead to be sure. Restrooms open only during office hours (7am to 7pm). Really nice folks and real country. There is one long floating dock. Very dangerous on a frosty morn’. We left Harbour Town on Hilton Head – stopped at Kilkenny – and proceeded to Brunwick Landing. A perfect stopping point. Capt Dave
David Jenkins

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Kilkenny Marina

The shoal reported below is a real concern for any cruiser contemplating dropping the hook on otherwise delightful Frederica River. There have also been reports here on the Net about shoaling on this stream’s southerly mouth.
Frederical River cuts into the western shores of St. Simons Island, and both its northern and southern mouths connect directly with the AICW channel.
Has anyone else tried to anchor on Frederica River lately. If so, please click the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, and share your experiences.

Don’t even think of mooring [cruising] through the north end of the Frederica River. There is now a shoal at the entry G229 almost right the way across at around 3ft 6ins lowish tide – maybe 6 ft high tide. I was lucky to get off it since the falling current quickly put me on it sideways at a 20 degree angle. Not shown on charts.
Captain Arnold

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Anchroage Directory Listing For Frederica River Anchorages

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Section of the AICW and Northern Frederica River

Redbird Creek intersects the Georgia stretch of the AICW just south of Hells Gate and the Ogeechee River. We have always found this streams makes for a secure overight stop, UNLESS the wind really gets its dander up. With this sort of especially foul weather in the offing, the marsh grass shores may not afford sufficient protection.

January 14 2010, We are anchored upstream on Redbird Creek in light winds. This is a great spot. We entered at low tide and the depths are a bit less than shown on the chart but we never saw less than 10 feet. If you want piece and quiet, this is the place. The middle of nowhere but we still have cell phone service. The only problem is finding adquate swing room between the crab traps.
Dave Boxmeyer

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Anchroage Listing For Redbird Creek

We just love to break off from the AICW, immediately north of the Georgia – Florida state line, and track our way up St. Marys River to the like named village. This little community is a delight, unless the winds happen to be blowing from one of the nearby paper mills (and that doesn’t happen too often).
St. Marys has always had an embarrassment of riches when it comes to good places to satisfy a healthy appetite, but over the last several years, breakfast has been sort of left out. No More! Read Captain Wilson’s message below, and you’ll know where to chase away the night-time hunger goonies!

Just 2 1/2 blocks from the waterfront in St. Mary’s, GA on Osborne St. Is the Cedar Block Cafe that serves breakfast starting at 7:00 am. It’s the only game in town during this time of year and at this hour. They just opened December 1st of 2009. Very warm welcome and specialty coffees to boot.
John Wilson

Brunswick Landing Marina is located well off the AICW, on the shores of East River, near downtown Brunswick. This is a very popular facility with cruisers, particulary those who plan to stay in Brunswick for long perids of time.
Nearby, Jekyll Harbor Marina (Statute Mile 684.5) is located directly on the Jekyll Creek portion of the AICW, and these good folks are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! This facility also features some of the friendliest folks you will ever encounter on the Waterway.

Clean, well run marina. Rates have gone up, $2.00 transient and $11.00 monthly. Electricity is metered and billed at $0.18 per kwh, 50% higher than I pay at home in Florida.
Fox’s retaurant has very good food and reasonable rates
Dick Hein

Redbird Creek is the first good anchorage available to cruising size craft, directly off the AICW, south of the Ogeechee River. As usual for this region, the shores are marsh grass, which does not give the best protection in really heavy weather. Otherwise, this is a fine overnight stop.

We are fogged in at an anchorage you described in your book, Redbird Creek, north of Florida Passage in Georgia. Great holding and depth just as you described. Nice save as we got fogged in yesterday
afternoon just after Hell Gate.
Captain Jane Tigar

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Redbird Creek

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Duplin River

This is only the latest in a series of postings here on the Cruisers’ Net’s “Georgia” cruising news section about the navigational problems of the AICW section (south of Jekyll Island), known as the “Cumberland Dividings.” Among other problems, NOAA shows the infamous “magenta line” on the wrong side of marker #60A. Take caution when cruising this seciton of the Waterway!

MM 704 approx. A vessel went aground at 60A as we approached. The red markers appear to be a jumble from afar because of the trick of perspective. I’ve no idea why NOAA hasn’t corrected its errant magenta line at 60A. Skipper Bob has a current description and warning. If you take the markers one at a time, it becomes clear where to go. Just don’t look at the magenta line in the chart, follow red
right returning.
We followed the advice on Skipper Bob’s Internet update and kept way off the reds for the whole section and found nothing less than 12 feet.
Captain Jane Tigar

Southbound in the Cumberland Dividings between mile 700 and 705 were the Brickhill River enters the Cumberland Dividings at red marker 60A keep well to the east. Stay east of the red 60A.
Brian
MIDORI

Subject: shoaling near 703.5
Cruising News: We ran aground at r60 between 58a and r60 you have to stay right over next to the shore almost and do not follow the magenta line…..you will need to go over what the chart shows as solid ground. We draw 5’9″ by the way.
Sami and Barry

We had a posting some time ago here on the Cruisers’ Net informing one and all that the dinghy dock at the Fort Frederica National Monument was out of commission. There is good anchorage abeam of this attraction in the Frederica River, but the option of going ashore would make it ever so much nicer. Now, as you will read below, looks like the dock will be restored in 2010.

I just received this response from the Superintendent at Fort Frederica (Georgia) to my question about when, if ever, the dock would be reopened. Perhaps we’ll be able to stop and go ashore next year!
Bob McLeran and Judy Young

Thank you for your interest in the National Park Service at Fort Frederica National Monument!
This message is in response to your question regarding the boat dock along the Frederica River.
We are indeed planning to re-build the boat dock and have been working on it over the last months. Unfortunately, we are working at 1/2 the normal staff levels so we face the challenge of completing multiple projects with just two employees.
Our plan, at this point in time, is to aim for dock completion by March 2010. The park’s long term goal includes building a floating dock near the historic dock site in the town of Frederica. This will take extended planning and project monies to see to fruition but we are actively pursuing this project. It will prove a wonderful way to tie in the park history and provide modern accessibility to the site.
Again, thank you for your interest in Fort Frederica National Monument. Please stop by when you sail once again. Hopefully we will have the
dock completed by that time.
I look forward to meeting you.

Subject: Fort Frederica Dinghy Dock
Cruising News: It appears that the dinghy dock at Fort Frederica is being restored. As I passed by this morning, a park ranger was laying down planking on what appears to be a new dinghy dock.
John Viera
S/V Tyche

Your Email Address: lassman@summerwindjourney.com
Subject: Fort Frederica Dock mm678
Cruising News: Good news!!! We are currently anchored just outside Fort Frederica and their dinghy dock is currently under construction. There are a top few planks being added and for safety reasons access to the Fort is still blocked. However for spring time it looks like cruisers will be able to access the Fort!
Dick and Elle
m/v Summer Wind

Update – We anchored off Fort Frederica in late October, 2009 and snapped this picture of the dinghy dock under construction. It would certainly appear that it should be completed in time for the northbound Spring migration. Beautiful anchorage, by the way.
Jim and Nancy Tracey
M/V O’dea

The dock is there but it is a LONG way from the water at low tide! There is no evidence of a dinghy float yet. (4/11/2010)
Allen Ames

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Anchorage Directory Listing For the Frederica River Anchorages

Here is an excellent report on the Savannah City Docks from Captains Dick and Elle. Note the new telephone number, and that there is no longer a docking fee!

Just talked to the City of Savannah about staying over night on their docks. There is a new telephone number 912-651-6470 ext.1 and it is now handled by the Park Service. We were told it is first come first served and presently not charging any fee where in the past it was $1 per foot. You must call in advance for they have a cruise ship that may be in port and take up the whole dock. It is a great stop but be aware you become one of the attractions on the waterfront.
Going there this coming weekend and will report any more onformation if necessary.
Regards,
Dick and Elle Lassman
M/V Summer Wind

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For The Savannah City Docks

As you will read below, Captain Jean did it right. They departed the AICW at the southern extreme of the Dungenss – Grefield Channel, cruised north on this latter passage, and anchored off the Park Serve, “Sea Camp” dock. From this location, it’s an easy dinghy ride to shore.
Don’t miss the chance to visit Cumberland Island ashore. This is truly one of the most magnificent, almost totally undeveloped sea islands, easily accessible to the public, anywhere in the Southeastern USA!!!!

We had a lovely day on Cunberland Island at Plum Orchard (walked to the beach on the Duck House Trail) yeaterday and at Sea Camp today. We anchored overnight then took the boat right in to the dock for the day. The outside of the north dock handles a 30 ft boat easily and could take a 36 ft. As long as you leave by sunset, you are welcome to stay at the dock all day. The depth at the dock was 8 Ft an hour before low tide- there is room on the inside of the north dock for a 28 ft or smaller but I don’t know what the depth is.
There are Ranger led tours of Dungeness area (from the Ice House dock) when the Ferry comes in – about 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM. There is a illustrated ranger talk at sea camp dock at 4 PM. There is public docking space at Ice House Dock on the north side – not as much room as at Sea Camp, but I would guess up to 28 ft could dock there and the depths are good. Certainly dinghies can be brought to either dock.
Jean Thomason
(DOVEKIE)

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For The Dungeness – Greyfield Channel Anchorage

Sounds very skinny at the intersection of the AICW and southern Brickhill River. This latter stream cuts into the western banks of Cumberland River, only a few miles north of the Georgia – Florida state line.

We ran aground trying to get into the Brickhill Rver at the south end last spring at low tide. So going south on the river yesterday, I was determined to find out what the depths were. It was mid-tide (about 3.5 feet up) and I had 9.6 ft on the sounder as we approached the green 63, then I got a blinking depth, then no depth at all which usually happens when there isn’t much depth or the water is muddied up. After passing the green and headed for the next red I suddenly had 22 ft on the sounder. We didn’t touch bottom, so I guess ignorance is bliss but I still don’t have a good idea of where the deeper water is at that intersection (if there is deeper water at low tide).
Jean Thomason
(DOVEKIE)

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For The Brickhill River Northern Anchorage