We recently updated the Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory to show that this facility does indeed offer transient dockage, with several restaurants and a supermarket within walking distance.

Contrary to popular opinion, this marina is still OPEN for a limited number of transient boats. It is very close to a multitude of services, including: Publix, Food Lion, Greyco Hardware (propane and some boating supplies), post office substation, canvas repair, liquor store, bike shop, restaurants, etc. Dinghy dockage is $10/day if you’re using the facilities. Condo conversion plans are on hold due to the economy. Dockmaster is courteous and knowledgeable.
Mike Cannady

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Ladys Island Marina

On 9/1/09, as part of a “South Carolina Wish List,” I posed the following question:

41. Any restaurant recommendations in Beaufort, South Carolina would be very welcome!

Responses follow:

there are so many good restaurants in Beaufort and surrounding areas….The Thai restaurant is excellent. Nippys is casual and always good. My favorite is the shrimp taco and their wonderful shoe string fries. You can not beat Blackstones for breakfast especially on Sundays when they have Eggs Benedict. Emilies has the best Steak Au pouvre. Paninnis has very good food all around. There is a new Japanese steak house with really good sushi. Not downtown but worth getting there somehow if you are without a car is McPhersons Serious BBQ. Its fantastic.
Sami and Barry Shreve
s/v Ever After

Being a long time resident of Beaufort the best seafood in Dockside. Unfortunately it is in Port Royal, but they do have day dock space. It does get crowded weekends, but worth the wait. Downtown there is a new bistro 2 blocks walk from the ICW. It is called Wren on Carteret Street. Very good, but I suggest reservations.
Judith Richardson

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

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Port Royal Landing Marina

I could not agree more with the sentiments expressed by Captain Bruce below. Beaufort is a GREAT port of call, and these good folks are SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS! And, by the way, so are Downtown Beaufort Marina and Port Royal Landing Marina..

Beaufort, (pronounced Bewfert) S.C. and nearby Port Royal are wonderful old Coastal Carolina small towns rife with history, traditions, antebellum architecture, and southern charms. The City Council has “gone to bat” for the cruising community and passed an ordinance last year that allows boaters to stay for 180 days before tax and registration issues surface. Therefore, Beaufort S.C. is cruiser friendly, presents a beautiful waterfront, and has several good restaurants and shops along the waterfront. Dinghy docking is free, temporary big boat tie-ups are free, and anchoring spots are plentiful. The downtown marina is still wonderful, offers a courtesy car to marina cruisers, and has a small ships store. During oyster season, a café named `Nippy’s’ has an all you can eat shrimp and/or oyster night on Fridays and Saturdays. We hit the ice cream parlor on the way back to the boat’¦’¦’¦.. yum. If you want to live elegantly, southern style, then make your reservation at the `Rhett House Inn’. http://www.rhetthouseinn.com or any of the fine nearby B&B’s. One of the finest restaurants you may encounter along the AICW is “Emily’s Restaurant and Tapas Bar” www.emilysrestaurantandtapasbar.com . Of course, “Blackstone’s Cafe” www.blackstonescafe.com remains a staple for any low country cruiser. Approximately 30 movies have been made in Beaufort, so if you have not toured Beaufort, you must take the tour in a horse drawn carriage. If you’re looking for a quiet vacation, this may be your next destination.
Bruce Franz

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

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Port Royal Landing Marina

On 9/1/09, as part of a “South Carolina Wish List,” I posed the following question:

40. Who’s docked at Downtown Marina of Beaufort? Isn’t this simply a wonderful facility?

Responses follow:

We docked at the Downtown Marina of Beaufort late Nov 2008. The personel were pleasant and helpful. True to its name it is right downtown. The only negative was the shorepower, it wouldn’t run a single 50 amp cord and we had to run our genset all night.
Ron & Audrey
Lucky Girl

Downtown Marina of Beaufort. What can you say about this marina but good things. Just be prepared for the roaring current and follow the very experienced dock hands instructions and you are OK. If you get stuck in an inside corner–as we have twice–best make friends with all your neighbors and let the dock hands get you out!! Tell them your departure plans and they will “spin” your boat around for you so that your bow will be into the current when you leave!!
Ken Stickrath

Yes, we stayed [at] Beaufort City docks o May 24, dock hands were very helpful.
Pat M
MY COMPROMISE ( 2004 Carver 366)

Beaufort City Marina. Great Marina and as the name says, it is right down town. Great to walk around. We have been there a number of times and ate in a lot of places and have generally good meals. Can’t think of any names. Also, a little known feature is that they let you use the dinghy dock for free when you anchor out. I never asked, but I always put my trash in their containers.
Best Regards
George
S/V Chez Nous

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

What cruiser isn’t always up for a good restaurant recommendation in a port of call as superb as Beaufort, SC (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR)

Claiborne’
A favorite restaurant of mine in Beaufort, South Carolina [ Emily’s~For the Health of it, Good Food & Savings ]; one of many along the ICW!
Bruce Franz
“Hemisphere Dancer”

Factory Creek cuts into the southern shores of the AICW/Beaufort River, just east of the Beaufort – Lady’s Island Swing Bridge. I’ve always found good depths here, unless you accidentally edge out of the channel at the creek’s entrance. I don’t know if that happened to Captains Martin & Betsy, or not, but all should now enter this creek/anchorage with a bit more caution.

Subject: Mile 535.9 Factory Creek, Beaufort, SC
Cruising News: As we left our Factory Creek anchorage this morning we were surprised to find depth of 4.5′ MLW at the entrance off G’1′. Fairly shallow depths continued to the ICW. Fortunately the bottom appeared soft. Molly Blossom draws 5′.
Martin & Betsy Basch,
mv Molly Blossom

I e-mailed Captains Betsy & Martin, and asked if they might have accidentally eased out of the channel as they cruised from Factory Creek back to the Waterway. They sent the response below:

Hi Claiborne,
We were about halfway between the G’1′ and the road bed leading to Ladies Island Bridge. I would just advise people to proceed cautiously through the entrance to Factory Creek at MLW. We got through OK, but were just surprised by depths shallower than we remembered in the past. Trick o’ the tide perhaps. Plenty of water inside for anchoring.
Betsy Basch

Having seen the above two postings, Captain Chuck chimes in with his message below. Looks like he has the answer on how to find the best depths when entering Factory Creek.

Cruising News: As a follow up to Molly Blossoms post regarding Factory Creek, If you enter close to Green Marker #1 you will certainly find shallow water since the shoal is moving out from the marsh. However, if you stay close in to the bridge and the highway as you enter and pass the deserted boats anchored at the mouth, then stay close on the side of the Creek where the marina and private docks are you will find plenty of water, at least 6’+ at low, low tide at the entrance. Once past the public ramp the water is fairly deep close to both sides of the shore. We are currently at Lady’s Island Marina, so holler when you come by.
Capt. Chuck

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Factory Creek

I love Beaufort, SC, but I must admit that we always stay at Downtowne Beaufort Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR). It’s interesting to read about the experiences of a fellow cruiser who anchors off the town waterfront.
In any case, there is a passel of good cruising tips in Ben and Barbara’s note below. Happy reading!

We are anchored on the hook in the harbor at Beaufort, S. C. with no charge. Checked in with the Harbor Master and he told us the city had restrooms and showers right at the docks for boats on the hook.? I checked them out and they seemed OK. I still use the shower, etc. on the boat. They also have a place where you can get water, again no charge. The Downtown Marina will let you use their showers/restrooms/laundry for 1.00 per day. Fuel is $4.40 diesel. Don’t know if we will top off or not. We had planned to leave later today, but the weather forecast isn’t good, so Ben decided to stay here for a day or two. We always have “things to do” on the boat. And as someone once told us “cruising is working on your boat in exotic places”! They have a great dingy dock and good restaurants. No charge for the dingy dock and there are several dingy’s tied there. About 12 sailboats anchored in the harbor and most of these people seem to live aboard and use the dingy dock everyday.? Had breakfast at Blackstone’s, nothing fancy, but GREAT stoned ground grits with shrimp! Highly recommend it. Roger, the owner, is an old cruiser and loves to meet people who are “living the dream”. Say hi to him. Took the horse drawn carriage tour…beautiful old homes and huge oak trees covered in Spanish moss. Lots and lots of history.
If you are here longer than 72 hrs. you must register with the Harbor Master. There is still no charge, but they want to know who is in their harbor.
Ben and Barbara Falmlen
Two Cats Too

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Beaufort City Anchorage

I could not agree with Captain Clarence any more if I tried. The breakfast's at Blackstones are absolutely awesome, of the best morning food I've had anytime, anywhere. AND, Blackstones is within easy walking distance of Downtown Beaufort Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR)

Subject: Beaufort Restaurants
Message: Blackstones in Beaufort is one of the best breakfast and lunch restaurants on the ICW.
Clarence King