Regular visitors to the Salty Southeast Cruiser’ Net will remember that dredging occurred along this AICW Problem Stretch, as of September, 2011, alleviating what had become one of the two shallowest sections of the Waterway in Eastern Florida. It sounds like from Captain Miller’s description below of the three new markers, as if shoaling is just beginning to reappear here as of April, 2012. Be SURE to observe these three new aids to navigation, and, as always on perennial AICW Problem Stretches, be READY for new shoaling and even newer markers as you pass through this section.
The anchorage Capt. Miller describes below is not listed as a recommended anchorage in our Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory, as depths are just too inconsistent on these waters. but for further information, follow the first link below.

The ICW channel at the Matanzas River has been bouyed with three green floating markers, 81B, 81C, 81D providing good water for passage. We entered the Matanzas River anchorage by hugging the daymark 81A and keeping to the north upon entering. Lots of wind and current.
Max Miller

Click Here To View the An Earlier Cruisers’ Net Posting about Anchoring Near Fort Matanzas Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the AICW/Mantanzas River Intersection

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch

The much needed dredging of this “AICW Problem Stretch” at the intersection of the Waterway and Matanzas Inlet, south of St. Augustine, has been completed and the markers have been replaced. The project dredged in the approximate area of statute miles 792-798. Capt. Holden gives good advice about trusting markers!

Came through Matanzas Inlet 10/17/11. All navigational buoys replaced. Lots of water. Our draft is 5′ 05″.
Jan & Ron Sabadash on s/v Wind Warrior 1

Actually, the charted Green cans,’81A’ and ’81D’ are present, but none of the others which are probably not necessary as I went through there today at low tide and never saw less than 13 feet.
Capt. Donovan

Our trawler Close Knit has been in Palm Coast for the past few months & we have taken the oportunity to go fishing ( at Matanza Inlet) with a friend of ours who lives there. Although there is plenty of water under the hull, the ICW has become very narrow at this point. Follow the markers NOT your GPS.
Al Holden

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Statute Mile 795

It’s good to hear from Captain Pascal that the recent dredging and remarking of this perennial AICW Problem Stretch has relieved most of the problems here, at least for the moment!
The juncture of the AICW and Mantanzas Inlet lies south of St. Augustine, and north of Daytona Beach.

I just passed matanzas, all deep and wide for now although there are only two green cans. I guess it’s all that’s needed but it looks odd after so many years!
Pascal

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For AICW/Mantanzas Inlet Intersection

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch