flanks the northwestern shores of the Ortega River, immediately southwest of the combo Ortega River Highway 17, railroad bridge. Oretega River intersects the St. Johns River, upstream (southwest) of downtown Jacksonville
Available. Transient Dockage available, but somewhat limited; usually only 2 to 3 slips set aside for transients
Transient Dockage Rate:
$1.00 per foot,per night
Type of dockage:
fixed wooden slips
Live Aboards Allowed:
no
Total number of slips/berths:
65
Dockside Power Connections:
30 amp power hookups available
Dock. Fresh Water Connections:
Available.
Showers:
Available.
Restaurant:
MANY within walking distance at Roosevelt Square Mall
Restaurant Recommendations:
Tom & Betty's (904-387-3311), Metro Diner (904-999-4600), Longhorn Steakhouse ( (904-388-5520)
Provisioning Possibilities:
Publix Supermarket and West Marine (904-388-7510) in nearby shopping center
LPG (Propane) Availability:
Available. West Marine (904-388-7510) has propane tank exchange in nearby shopping center (walking distance)
Waste pump-out:
Available.
Wi-Fi Internet Access:
Not Available
Fuel Availability:
No Fuel Available
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Reviews from Cruisers (1)
Geoff Cooke- October 16, 2012 - 8:50 am
I live locally [Jacksonville, FL] – and Huckins has a great reputation. The only issue is the 45′ clearance bridge to get under. That may pose a problem for larger boats. There is another boatyard just before the bridge with no clearance issues called Sadler Point. It is also highly respected, and offers similar services and decent prices. You can walk to WM, Publix, bookstores etc. Geoff Cooke
We had an excellent experience at Lambs Yacht Center (Ortega River/Jacksonville) few months ago! We replaced our Northern Lights generator (they are a dealer) and did props/shaft, shaft seals, cutlass bearings, steering and auto pilot adjustments, rub rail install (excellent craftsmanship), and more. Didn’t feel we got gouged in pricing overall and Richard (service manager, richard@lambsyachtcenter.com 904-384-5577) was efficient in keeping us informed and overseeing the work. They were able to haul us out with a 17′ beam (multiple lifts there, big boats too). Shopping, restaurants, Enterprise car rental nearby. We plan to go back for bottom job and future needs! Capt. Lynn C. & Admiral Frances Scorpio III
Wanted to pass along a positive experience we had with an AGLCA sponsor in Jacksonville, Lambs’s Yacht Center. We had the boat hauled out so she could receive new bottom paint. We also had them do some regular maintenance on our Yanmar diesel and fix a clogged AC drain. If anyone is looking for a boatyard in the Jacksonville area, I highly recommend you give Shane a call. Mike Schipper m/v Blue Sky
We kept our boat at Lamb’s Yacht Center on the Ortega river off the St. Johns just south of downtown Jacksonville. This is a well protected area and offers concrete covered storage and a very attentive dockmaster who lives on his boat there. We arrived in 2005 after the hurricanes of ’04 and after talking with other boaters decided that it was about the best protected in-water location we could find. Paul Brannon
We are at Lambs Yacht Center in Jacksonville and in my opinion it is about as safe as it gets. Cement fixed piers, cement roof, excellent staff and great mechanics. Hear the airport and approved by our insurance company who said we had to be north of the Florida Georgia boarder during the hurricane season. Because they are 25-30 miles inland on the Ortega river and because they have a published hurricane plan, our insurance company approved us being in the Lambs Yacht Center without any up charge. William is the dock master and he is outstanding, his personal cell number is (904) 705-8199. David & Marla Russo
We kept our boat at Lambs Marina on the Ortega river (just off the St. Johns river, south of Jacksonville). It is definitely a hurricane hole with covered concrete docks. It is a little pricey, but our insurance rate stayed the same. Call William, he took very good care of us, 904-705-8199. Dave & Joyce Johnson – Joysea
We used Lambs marina for our seasonal break. They have a concrete roof so very secure (reportedly was going to be a floor for a condo complex) Jim and Vaughn on TWINS
SEASEA is located at Lamb’s Yacht Center on the Ortega River just south of downtown Jacksonville, Fl. Lamb’s is offering new transient and longer term rates that anyone interested in coming in to the St. John’s river should be aware of. Call William Nicely (dockmaster) at Lamb’s and tell them SEASEA sent you. Paul & Stacy Brannon
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
Lambs Marina is pretty good and they have buff & wax services. You can also stay at the free docks right downtown in Jax. We did and enjoy it, except when a fire boat went through the no wake zone there and waked everybody. It’s right downtown and an easy walk to lots of interesting things. It’s also lots of fun to go up the river from Jax. A fun side trip is to go to The Outback Crab Shack 2 days upriver, free doclk, etc., and very interesting to go through Murphy’s Creek behind Murphy Island on the river. It’s like a Disney Jungle Cruise. Doug
I have been in Lambs on the Ortega River (just off St Johns). They are located near downtown and offer dockage as well as a boatyard. Their work and pricing have been very fair. Workman ship has been above average. They are about 20 minutes from airport and we use this marina/boatyard as a pick up location when cruising the ST John. Downing Nighingale is contact person. Joe Hart “Jubilee”
Lambs is a first class facility. They have some of the best mechanics and repair facilities available in this area. Very protected location on the the Ortega River. This place gets my highest recommendation.
dining room on-site (open to members and accredited guests only)
Restaurant Recommendations:
on-site dining room open for lunch 11:30 am to 2:30 PM daily, open for dinner Tuesday through Thursday, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, open for dinner Friday and Saturday, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, closed Mondays
fixed wooden & floating concrete decked face docks
Live Aboards Allowed:
no
Total number of slips/berths:
50
Dockside Power Connections:
30 amp power hookups available
Dock. Fresh Water Connections:
Available.
Showers:
Available. Climate Controlled
Swimming Pool:
Available.
Provisioning Possibilities:
Take taxi to Winn Dixie supermarket 2 miles away
Waste pump-out:
Available.
Wi-Fi Internet Access:
Free WiFi Available
Fuel Availability:
No Fuel Available
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Reviews from Cruisers (6)
CAPT Perry- September 9, 2013 - 7:59 pm
I have stayed at this marina since 2009 and offer the following updated review: Marina has a swimming pool, ice machine, pump out, floating and fixed docks, haul out, very reasonable rates. etc. Friendly and knowledgeable staff (Jeff). Outstanding full service marine center (Hal). Approach can have shallow water at times <6'. Family restroom. Restaurants are located several miles away. No fuel just down to earth folks.
I’ve been in this marina several times and found pleasant helpful people that deliver honest caring service. The facilities are well maintained, new in appearance, a nice swimming pool and bath house with a common covered public area. The marina maintenance provider has year of experience as does the dockmaster and can be trusted.
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
Subject: Whitney ‘s Marine Message: Candace Whitney sold her business. The new owners are Fleming Island Marina. Contact information for Fleming Island Marina is Ms. Barbara Staab (one Great Lady and I mean Great). Her number is 904.269.0027. I currently have my Hunter 36′ at their docks. The draft approachiing the marina is shallow less than 5’ in places and makes coming in a little tricky. They have no fuel but do have a service department (Great Yanmar mechanic). The docks are mixed by that I mean one dock is concrete floating and the other is fixed wood. Tide drop is about 3-4 feet I would guess. Only matters if you are in a fixed wooden slip. They have clean restrooms and shower however the doors do not lock. The have a huge ice machine. You would need to call a taxi to get to any grocery store of eating places. But the good news is grocery stores and eating places are only a few miles down the road to Fleming Island or Organge Park. Hope this helps your readers. Oh yea did I say the river is wide and the sailing is GRRRREAT! Perry McDonald
Available. LPG available at Ace Hardware 2 blocks away
Waste pump-out:
Available.
Wi-Fi Internet Access:
Not Available
Fuel Availability:
Gas & Diesel Available
Fuel Notes:
ethanol free
Fuel Prices (All Taxes Included)
Reporting Date:
April 22, 2024
Fuel Notes:
ethanol free
Gasoline Price:
$4.89 (All Taxes Included)
Diesel Price:
$4.00 (All Taxes Included)
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Reviews from Cruisers (3)
Fred Morgan- October 12, 2021 - 9:41 am
Fuel is dispensed in their slipway that is only 15ft wide. It was tight for our 44 DeFever but doable. Fuel is clean and staff was friendly and helpful.
This marina prides itself for having the least expensive diesel on the St Johns River and is well worth the stop! Be aware that fuel is delivered in the travel lift slip, so fenders should be rigged BOTH sides! It is narrow but doable. Pump out can be done while fueling as well. The facility is older and basic, but the people are helpful and the price is certainly right. I will be back on the way downriver!
Rex & Jimmie MV "My HarleyY"- July 22, 2010 - 9:36 am
This is one of our favorite fuel locations when heading south on the river. Fuel is always fresh and prices are fair. It can be busy in the evenings on weekends at the pumps. Good protection from winds and wakes. There are two slips available to fuel at a time. Call on way in – (904)268-1036
Stayed here on May 26 with my wife and grandchildren. Weather forecast was for light winds however they missed the 15-20 gusting 25+ out of the east and white caps that made the initial approach a little uncomfortable. Calmed down later that night and all slept well. Never saw less than 8′ of water but we did have a blood moon during our stay. Can’t beat the price $20 (honor system) for the night includes water and (30/50 amp) electric. They have a great park for children. Swings, open area to run, all types of gymnastic equipment to climb, hang upside down, etc. Restaurants and Wal-Greens within walking distance. Oh did I mention they have a spring boil and waterfall – a beautiful place hidden on the St. Johns. Perry McDonald
The river may not be much, but gorgeous black creek is just north of Green Cove Springs. South of the Shands bridge are Trout Creek and 6 Mile Creek. Not only is there good food at Outback Crab Shack, but if your boat will clear the bridge, you can go a ways up the narrow creek. Dinghy rides up both are recommended from this local resident. Carolyn Frazier
Someone else mentioned Green Cove Springs. My recommendation there is only if you want to store the boat ashore as their in water slips are not nice at all. They have a ton of boats out of the water there and it is more of a working yard than a true marina. The facilities there are terrible and transportation from there will be much more difficult. There is very little within walking distance there. This is more of a storage facility or working on the boat out of the water facility. Plus, it is another 20 or 25 miles downriver and there is not much to see in this part of the river. Dave & Nan Ellen Fuller
Green Cove Springs Marina, Green Cove Springs, FL is on the St. Johns River south of Jacksonville. Many Canadians and others store their boats during the summer, upon returning from a winter in the Bahama’s. They also have a work yard that allows live-aboard while working on your boat. Not the classiest place you’ve seen, but it serves the purpose. Next door is Reynolds Park Yacht Center and also Holland marine. King & Sharon Cole Blue Moon – 38′ Gulfstar
We found our boat in the long term storage lot at Green Cove Springs Marina. We moved it in to the work lot which was reasonbly priced and found the staff to be very accomodating and helpful. The store in the office had everything we needed at better prices than anywhere else we looked. The other folks working on their boats in the work yard were equally as helpful and friendly and most were hard at work. While the bathrooms and showers are certainly on the dingy side and my husband was pretty grossed out by the men’s shower, we found the facility to be just fine for our needs. We weren’t there to live in luxury, we were there to work. We’ve since moved in to the moorings. The staff was incredibly wonderful when we launched. They were fun, patient with us (we’re new to big boats) and so helpful. I wouldn’t swim in the river anywhere near the boatyard and I would never eat anything that came out of there as it was an old Navy yard and the amount of lead and copper and other heavy metals in that water must be very high. We’ll be moving out soon but while we are using Green Cove Springs Marina’s mooring balls and facilities, we are very happy with them. We’ll look forward to seeing the staff and using their work lot any time we have repairs to make on the dry or require long term storage. DeVaich
We looked high and low for a boat yard which would allow do-it-yourself work and also had reasonably priced long term storage. We finally chose Green Cove Springs Marina. It is a good old fashioned boatyard with friendly helpful staff. So far we have been delighted. Rumor has it they will be adding soon to the bathroom and shower facilities which is a modest weak point at present. Also I hear more vehicle parking is coming. And, at a time when other marinas are raising prices to uncomfortable amounts, GSM is not only reasonably priced, but they have room for lots of bo462Yats! Reggie Good
We just checked out Green Cove Springs yesterday and it would be a very good place to store a boat for an extended period. Lots of cruisers use this facility. It’s not fancy, but it’s secure and a more than adequate facility. Lot’s of boats and a do-it-yourself yard. Their latest rate sheet shows: Haul out ($1.75/ft), block 34-42′ ($58 one time), long term storage ($4.00/ft/month). Phone number is 904-284-1811, Mon-Sat 0800-1630. Don R, m/v Andante
Laid back with Southern hospitality. Don the dockmaster could not be more helpful. The crew is very nice Jerry and Billy handled the lines and met us late Sunday. We stayed the week, very quiet. There is a pool we did not try due to the weather. Restrooms showers, etc all here. Old docks but safe. Easy approach with 5-6 ft depths. Very little current or tide. The electrical was good and the wifi worked for us to watch movies. Rental car from enterprise. Gas on site. Diesel by truck. Town is a few miles to shopping center. $5.00 a ft is quoted price for a month. Pets welcome. Lots of liva boards. The 45 slips were full when we got there. They rent pontoon boats and the boat ramp is used by fishermen. We will be back! One restaurant at hotel was closed for renovation, A Grill Cafe is open, Hotel onsite with laundry. The grounds are kept up clean. We will be back!
We had been by this marina a few years back and did not plan on stopping, but wanted some gas.
The place was so nice and we stayed for a night, a great stop over between Lake Monroe and Jacksonville.
The complex is clean, the staff is very helpful, and they have redone the hotel, with conference room, laundry, and large, well furnished and reasonably priced hotel rooms with microwaves and fridges. In some of their rooms they even accept pets. Soon the restaurant will open in addition to the store.
We had an excellent view of the river in room 102!
If you stop by, be sure to meet Kelly, the new owner, a great guy!…Neil and Sue Archer
Crystal Cove Resort on St. John’s River has New Owners. The place is great. Check out Blog Site @ http://crystalcoveresort.blogspot.com Stephen Jeffrey Cull
Reviews from Cruisers (1)
I live locally [Jacksonville, FL] – and Huckins has a great reputation.
The only issue is the 45′ clearance bridge to get under. That may pose a problem for larger boats.
There is another boatyard just before the bridge with no clearance issues called Sadler Point. It is also highly respected, and offers similar services and decent prices. You can walk to WM, Publix, bookstores etc.
Geoff Cooke