Ladys Island Marina lies on the shores of Factory Creek, just across Ladys Island Bridge from downtown Beaufort, SC. The entrance to Factory Creek cuts south from the Waterway, just east of the Ladys Island span. Note that the marina here has been in flux for some time and you should call ahead to confirm their facilities. However, as of today, they are accepting transients at $1.50ft.

Cruising News:
After several unsuccessful changes in ownership over the past couple of years, the former “Ollie’s” restaurant [aka "Groupers"] at Lady’s Island Marina in Beaufort, SC has been renovated and re-opened a month or so ago as “Dockside” restaurant by the folks who also own and operate the very successful “11th Street Dockside” restaurant in Port Royal. We haven’t eaten there yet, but if the crowd in the parking lot is any indication, they’re off to a great start!
Bob Schwerzel

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The Downtown Marina of Beaufort – A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! – lies north of unlighted daybeacon #239, a short distance west of the Lady’s Island swing bridge, in the heart of beautiful downtown Beaufort, SC.

This stop is a must-stop for us. We love the town and the people. We took advantage of the marina’s courtesy car which has a keychain with a Bi-Lo grocery store discount card on it. There is also a K-Mart near the Bi-Lo.
Like many other boaters, we had issues backing out of our slip against the current. If I had understood the arrangement of my assigned slip and the current prediction for the following morning, I would have gone stern-in. Luckily, the slip on the pier next to my boat was empty so we managed to spring our boat against the current and around into the neighboring slip so we could power out into the current.
If your boat has limited power or maneuverability, ask for an alongside tie-up on the main pier.
Max Miller

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The best way for cruisers to take advantage of the weekly Port Royal farmer’s market, briefly outlined below, is to moor at SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR Port Royal Landing Marina. It’s a easy walk to the market or any number of other Port Royal restaurants and attractions.

Port Royal, SC every Saturday morning. Short walk from Port Royal Landing Marina on Beaufort River.
John W. Pierron

also…PRLM has a courtesy car. It is not THAT long of a walk unless its summer in SC!
Sami and Barry Shreve

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What a wonderful, wonderful service by an excellent marina, and these good folks are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!!

PRLM will have its annual Thanksgiving Dinner for Cru38-port-royal-landing-marinaisers. Dinner will be at 1:00 Thanksgiving day.The marina will furnish smoked turkeys,bring your favorite side to share and eating utensils. PRLM is offering a fall special; stay 2 nights get the 3rd one free. For more information contact Capt Bill Mote; 843 592 3344.
Capt Bill Mote
S/V Eclipsse

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St. Augustine City Marina lies on the western side of the Waterway just below the Bridge of Lions in downtown St. Augustine.

We were at the fuel dock at St. Augustine Municipal Marina by 1400.
I’ve decided I really don’t like this marina, which is a shame because most of the people are very nice, and the facilities are excellent. The floating docks are aligned parallel to the shore, which normally would be appropriate. However the current does not flow parallel to the shoreline but the axis of both flood and ebb flow is 10 degrees or so off parallel, and therein lies the problem. It is difficult to line up with a slip, and as we found out a year ago, impossible to back out of a slip against the current when it pushes your boat sideways before it can clear the slip. There is, then, no way to escape. The engineers who laid out the docks (if, indeed they were engineers) should have angled everything to line up with the current flow. Added to the problem on the north side is the close proximity of the Bridge of Lions. Getting sideways to the current here could sweep your boat under the bridge leaving your rig behind. Docking at marinas which are aligned with strong currents (I’m thinking Ashley Marina and the City Marina in Charleston) is a piece of cake as one can use the current to advantage both when it’s favorable or contrary. Not so in St. Augustine.
Captain Ted Jones

Similar docking woes in Beaufort, SC. Nevertheless, Downtown Marina of Beaufort is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! and is on the AICW at Statute Mile 536.5.

I encountered almost the same situation at the Beaufort, South Carolina municipal marina, and on trying to back out against the current with ample on shore help was in fact caught and turned sideways against the main dock. It was quite a feat getting the bow turned back into the current and finally out. For power boaters this is not much of a problem, but for sailboats with single screw auxiliary diesels it is a big challenge.
James Williams

Never attempt nor accept a down current slip assignment at St. Augustine’s City Marina. The slack current time at high and low tide is VERY short. “WARNING” Always dock into the current at a slip at this marina. Stay on the fuel dock until the current is in your favor before moving to an assigned slip with a single screw vessel.
“The VOICE of experience”
David Burnham

Having read a negative comment about the St. Augustine City Marina, I would like to post a favorable comment as I would hate to see anyone miss this great place that is so friendly and convenient to the historical district, not to mention they have the best fuel prices I could find in a 60 mile radius. The docking here was a breeze and my better half easily maneuvered our 48 foot powerboat “Tropical Breeze” into her assigned slip. During our 3 days here we observed many arrivals and departures of all kinds of boats, none came close to being swept under the bridge.
Doug Cordello

Read and heed Larry’s earlier posts. This is tricky if you are not familiar with this marina and the tide. I learned to only approach this marina during a slack tide with my boat. I have a Hunter 36. Crew safety has to be your number ONE concern.
Perry McDonald

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We join with Captain Morgan in recommending the Downtown Marina of Beaufort, and that’s not just because they are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! Indeed, this facility sits hard by the downtown Beaufort business and historic district. There is so much to see, do and eat in downtown Beaufort, we simply can’t get enough of this place!

Downtown Marina of Beaufort – Beaufort, SC, ICW mm 536. We stop here each year and are always glad that we did. The location is super, great proximity to a very quaint downtown area and plenty of restaurants and shopping. There are excellent boating services, capable mechanics and technicians, so it is a very good place to stop whether you need services or not.
Sabra Morgan

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As we have posted recently, Ladys Island Bridge is on a temporary on-the-hour-only opening schedule Monday through Friday. However, as Larry Shick states below, if you ask nicely or if it’s a weekend, you might get an opening on demand! Isn’t it grand when we get those little surprises?

Submitted on 2010/06/06 at 5:22pm
For what it’s worth, we went through this bridge today (6/6/10). The bridge opened “on request.” Perhaps this was because it was a weekend, but at any rate, the “only on the hour” rule did not apply this time.
Captain Larry Shick

Submitted on 2010/08/16 at 5:50pm
This bridge is very old, has problems, and the city has out grown it! There is far too much boat traffic holding up far too much road traffic, and causing traffic jams when people need to get places! Slow down SOME on highway construction and build a bigger, TALLER bridge that does not have to be opened!
Gilbert R. Murrell

Surprise, surprise!, This past Sunday morning, I tried to get through the Lady’s Island Woods Bridge (Swing Bridge from Beaufort, SC AICW mile 536). I hoped to transit on demand since road traffic was almost non-existent. No luck. It is obvious that the bridge tender has no flexibility.
Again, I called Gene Stratton, Bridge Management Specialist, Seventh Coast Guard District, Miami, Florida (305.415.6740) for clarification on when to expect the temporary change to be rescinded. To date there have been two confusing notices of the temporary change: one states the bridge opens on demand on weekends and the other states that there is no exception to the rule on weekends. Stratton said the temporary change would be lifted one year after the rule has been published in the Federal Register or whenever the new bridge is completed, which ever comes first. The temporary rule has yet to be published in the Federal Register so who knows.
This change to the bridge opening schedule was made without public comment. Stratton said he welcomes written comment on this situation and suggested that comments be sent to him at the following e-mail address: allen.e.stratton@uscg.mil.
Captain Ray Gallagher

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Battery Creek cuts off the AICW’s passage along the Beaufort River, south of Beaufort, NC. You will drop the hook abeam of the Port Royal waterfront, which is currently being redeveloped from a commercial port to a tourist destination. One really good seafood restaurant is within dinghy range. Use your binoculars, look along the upstream portion of the waterfront, and you should spot the place. Happy dining!
Oh yes, and a word to the wise. Northbound AICW skippers sometimes mistakenly enter Battery Creek, thinking they are still on the Waterway. That’s easy to understand as the entrance into Battery Creek is far better marked that the AICW at this point. Study your chart and/or your GPS chartplotter carefully to avoid this error.

We arrived on 11/29/09 at near the top of the tide and anchored just past the shrimp boat docks and near three sailboats on moorings. We anchored in 18’ of water with about 10 kts of breeze. The anchorage is exposed to south and west winds. Tidal range overnight was eight feet. Just after dark we had 20’ of water beneath the boat and when I got up at around 0200, we only had 12’. Holding was good and despite the aggressive tidal switches, the anchor held firm. Not much local traffic while we were there.
The evening passed quietly but it gave way to a “Beirut Breakfast” at daybreak. All heck broke loose as we were eating. Seems the marines at Paris Island were on the small arms firing range and it reminded me of the middle east fighting you hear on the TV.
Otherwise a nice spot.
Dick Litchfield

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High praise from Captain Arnold for one SC’s most popular stops. Don’t overlook a stop at the Downtown Beaufort Marina. Not only is this an excellent facility, but they are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR

Everybody loves Beaufort. There’s a free city dock all day but you must leave by midnight and maybe come back next morning if you wish. Good mooring in Factory Creek and a free dinghy dock within walking distance of two grocery stores, a boat parts store and a great hardware store. Blackstones Cafe in Beaufort offers the best breakfast, Southern Sweets the best ice cream and there are two great secondhand book stores to peruse.
Captain Arnold

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Below are some good details about Beaufort’s “other” facility, Ladys Island Marina. This marina lies on the shores of Factory Creek, which cuts south, just east of the Lady’s Island swing bridge.

A little more on Lady’s Island Marina. The canvas repair closed. Besides Groupers, a new barbeque joint: The Smokey Chef opened adjacent to the marina. The complimentary 2 hr. dockage is in effect for boaters going to Groupers.
We’ve taken our 5′9″ draft sailboat in and out of Factory Creek multiple times this spring, and haven’t had a problem at mid- to high tide. We wouldn’t try it at low tide. Stay well away from Factory Creek’s green #1 as that’s where it’s shoaled.
Mike Cannady

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Ladys Island Marina lies on the shores of Factory Creek, just across Ladys Island Bridge from downtown Beaufort, SC. The entrance to Factory Creek cuts south from the Waterway, just east of the Ladys Island span. While we are certainly very glad to hear there’s a new restaurant here, we still strongly suggest that you berth at Downtown Beaufort Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR). You can always take a quick taxi ride across the bridge to check out the new dining attraction, and there are also quite a collection of good places to quiet a healthy appetite in downtown Beaufort.

Subject: New Restaurant at Lady’s Island Marina
Cruising News: Claiborne, Cruisers heading to or through Beaufort, SC might be interested to learn that a new restaurant, named “Groupers”, has just opened up in the building formerly occupied by “Ollie’s” at Lady’s Island Marina. The new owners have thoroughly redecorated the place in pleasing Caribbean colors, and they\’re offering a truly varied menu –it’s not just seafood. We had lunch there last week, when they’d only been open for 3 days, and the place was already packed. Service was a bit slow (they seem to have been taken by surprise by the strong response they’ve gotten so far), but the food was good and no doubt the kinks will get worked out as the kitchen and wait staff adjust to the demand. We later heard that there was a line out the door waiting for dinner that same night, so they’ve clearly been discovered! They’re a welcome addition to the Beaufort restaurant scene. And, as a bonus, it’s our understanding that short-term transient dockage at Lady’s Island Marina for an hour or two is free if you come in for a meal at the restaurant, provided that a slip is available for your size boat.
Bob and Janet Schwerzel

We ate dinner at Groupers 4/10/2010 at 5:30 before the rush. We got salads, bread and drinks promptly but the entree was long in coming and the food was not hot. They were glad to reheat it. We had to request our side vegetables a couple of times. The Jambalaya was good; the fried oysters were too heavily breaded (compared with Ollie’s) The vegetables were nicely cooked and crisp. The prices seem a bit high ($17-20). The waitress was clearly inexperienced; she overturned a glass of ice tea at the next table and bumped into ours. Hopefully they will work out the problems soon!
Jean Thomason
(DOVEKIE)

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Rick and Mandy Griffin, owners and operators of Downtown Marina of Beaufort are among our oldest and best SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS! These good people are truly friends to the cruising community, and we cannot recommend a stop here too highly.

Here on 3/27-30/2010. Agree with all the comments made by Larry Morrow. Lots of beautiful old homes and you can get alot more out or what you see if you take a walking tour or horse drawn cart with guide. Plum’s and Saltus are two outstanding resturants. Both are owned by the same person, but have a little different selections.
SV Aquarius

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Downtown Marina of Beaufort

The owners of Downtown Marina of Beaufort, Mandy and Rick Griffin, are some of the oldest and staunchest supporters of the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net. Please patronize their facility whenever possible. And, oh yes, all the many wonderful historic, shopping and dining attractions of downtown Beaufort are within easy walking distance.

Spent the last two nights here because of cold temps and high winds. We were placed on the outside close to the fuel pumps. Aside from a very strong current and water slapping the boat a bit at night, we had no problems. Dock hands and office staff are top notch. We used the courtesy car to get groceries and a few sundries. The laundry room was clean and the machines in great shape. Restaurants and shopping is right next door to the marina, within 100 yards of the docks.
Larry Morrow

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I just read the notice below on the AGLCA (American Great Loop Cruisers’ Assocation) mailing list, and called Mandy Griffin (co-owner) of the Downtown Marina of Beaufort, without delay. Mandy was very surprised to hear about the upcoming change in the Lady’s Island Bridge’s opening schedule, and allowed as to how they had heard nothing about this upcoming alterating until my phone call.
Captain Mandy further informed me that the “construction” referred to below on the McTeer – High Bridge (St. M. 539) involves converting this span to four lanes of highway traffic. Sounds like this project may take some time to complete.
The USCG notice copied below does look very official, so I think it reasonably safe to say that beginning 1/10/10, and for some time to come, the Ladys Island swing bridge will be on hourly openings. By the way, the sort-of official name for this bridge is “Woods Hole” but EVERYONE calls it the “Ladys Island Swing Bridge.”

At the request of the Lady’s Island Business Association, the Woods Memorial Swing Bridge in Beaufort, SC will go onto a once per hour opening schedule beginning 1/10/10 per the attached Coast Guard Notice. This temporary schedule will likely be in effect until construction on the McTeer High Bridge is complete.
Chuck Gorgen
ODYSSEE

The temporary change in regulation you requested is approved and will appear in the Local Notice to Mariners effective January 11th 2010. The temporary regulation will read:
Due to ongoing construction of the new McTeer Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, mile 539.0, Port Royal, South Carolina; Beaufort County has requested that the federal regulation on the Woods Memorial (Lady’s Island) bridge be changed to: The draw need only open at the top of the hour from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with the exception of between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. when the bridge need not open. This will be in effect Monday through Friday except for federal holidays. Tugs with tows, vessels in distress and public vessels of the United States shall be passed at any time.
We will also issue a Temporary Federal Regulation that will say the same that will be in effect, one year from the time it’s published. Please feel free to call this office if you have any additional questions.
Respectfully,
Gene Stratton
Bridge Management Specialist
Seventh Coast Guard District
Miami, FL
305-415-6740

The new schedule for the opening schedule for the Woods Memorial Bridge from Beaufort to Lady’s Island, SC was confirmed in the local Beaufort Gazette this morning. The announcement stated: “The Woods Bridge will open at the top of the hour between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, except between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The bridge will open at any time for tugs with tows, vessels in distress and pubkic vessels of the United States.
On weekends and federal holidays, the bridge will swing open upon request”
This schedule starts on Monday, January 11, 2010 and will likely last for a year or more while the McTeer Bridge is under construction. Vertical clearance under this bridge is 30′ at high tide and we have an average tide swing of over 7′, so this schedule should have little affect on most of our members doing the Loop.
Chuck Gorgen
ODYSSEE

The entrance to Factory Creek comes up on the AICW’s southern shores, immediately east of the Lady’s Island Swing Bridge. Keeping to the good depths can be a little tricky for first timers at the creek’s northern mouth, but once on the interior reaches, you’ll find plenty of water, and enough swing room for most cruising sized craft.

We anchored between R14 & G15 along with 2 other boats on Monday 12/14/09, just across from the Snook Restaurant. Lots of water and had entertainment for the evening. Just follow the markers into Capri Pass…lots of water here. Will definitely come back.
Capt. RL & Karen
s/v Last Call
45′ Island Trader, ketch

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Mandy and Rick Griffin, owners and managers of the Downtown Marina of Beaufort, are some of the very best in the business. We can not recommend their facility too highly, and not only because they are SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS!
The adjacent downtown Beaufort historic/business district is thick with good restaurants, interesting shops and dreamlike historic homes. Take an extra day if possible to appreciate this wonderful coastal communit, who are also, by the way, a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

Spent 2 days there in September and found the marina to be very convenient to all of the downtown attractions. The restaurants were great but you will need to use the courtesy car if you need provisions or a drug store. The dockmaster was very friendly but was working alone and slammed late afternoon when the transients rolled in. No problems with the shorepower. We did have a pretty good blow on the 2nd day and it got a little bouncy even on the inside of the face dock until a 60′ Hatt tied up on the outside of us. I would definitely advise against the outside of the face dock for small cruisers.
M/V Line Item

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Rick and Mandy Griffin do a great job at the Downtown Marina of Beaufort. As with virtually every marina in SC and Georgia, you have to be on guard against tidal current as you approach the dock, but otherwise, everyone will have a good time at this facility. And, it doesn’t hurt that the dreamlike Beaufort historic district (plus a host of wonderful restaurants) are only a short step away. Downtown Marina of Beaufort is also a long-time SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

I arrived a day ahead of the remnants of Hurricane Ida, along with 20 other boats. Sat through five days of rain. Marina staff were terrific. Ships store excellent. Showers. heads were kept clean in spite of the crowd. Just steps away from great restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores. You have to plan ahead when you leave, though, and most boats on the inside slips needed to be “warped around” by had during slack tide so that they would be stern to the dock, bow out. Backing with or against the current is not an option. Marina staff are excellent at this job.
HB Koerner

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The entrance to Factory Creek lies immediately north of the Ladys Island Swing Bridge in Beaufort, SC. This stream is also home to Ladys Island Marina. The anchorage is located upstream of this facility.
Be careful as you cruise from the AICW/Beaufort River into Factory Creek. Captain Emerson’s comments below and earlier reports here on the Cruisers’ Net indicate the channel is narrowing.

We got in on half tide without a problem but didn’t do quite so well leaving close to low tide. We draw 6′ and dragged a bit coming out, although it’s likely we were closer to G “1″ than we should have been. Once past this area, however, there’s plenty of depth. The anchorage area is strung out along a moderately narrow channel that curves around over 90 deg. along its length. The current in the creek is significant but manageable. The real challenge the creek’s width. On one side are docks (private or marina) and on the other side is marsh. With roughly 15′ depths, a short scope isn’t likely, but over-doing can be a problem, too. We saw some boats riding to a Bahamian mooring (to limit swinging in current) and some (ourselves included) riding to one anchor. The bottom held well enough to allow riding on chain and a CQR in breezy conditions; the hook was hard to break out when it came time to leave. The trip from Factory Creek to the “day dock” ramp area is long enough to make part of the trip on plane (but NOT in the No Wake areas!).
As mentioned, there are some derelict boats in the creek. We saw one, a motor boat, clearly on its way down. We called Ladys Island Marina to see if they knew about it. “Oh, that happens about twice a month. We worry if we don’t get called twice a month!”
Rick Emerson

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Factory Creek