South River/Lukens Anchorage
South River/Lukens Anchorage
Statute Mile: 178.5
Lat/Lon: 34 57.700 North/076 34.321 West
Location: on the waters along South River’s northeastern banks, southeast of Hardy Creek, near charted position of “Lukens”; South River indents the southern banks of the Neuse River, 4.5 nautical miles south of the ICW’s marker #6
Depth: 9-feet
Navigation Detail: Click Here For Navigational Detail of this Anchorage
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 48 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Excellent
Dinghy Dock Access: dinghies can be landed on a small, sandy but rocky strip, abutting the northwestern entrance point of charted Hardy Creek. You will see a paved street, bounded by three reverse-side traffic signs
Pet Friendly: pets can be taken ashore at dinghy access specified above
Rating: 
Claiborne’s Review: Click Here For Claiborne’s Review of this Anchorage
Click on Chartlet Below to Open a Chart View Window,
Centered on the Location of This Anchorage:
Comments from Cruisers (6)
During our transit south this past October 2012 we pulled into South River around dusk, heading for Lukens anchorage. We noticed something swimming off our bow, a big animal. We got the glasses out and saw it was a bear. We have seen bears swimming across the ICW before-the Alligator-Pungo Canal one spot-but this bear must have swum at least a half mile from the western to eastern shore. We followed its progress to the bank, where he got on land and went his way. We anchored, had dinner, then wondered about the bear’s return-if he might want to rest on our swim platform during his crossing.
Michael J. Horowitz
ALTAIR
M/V Ruby Slipper anchored on South West Creek (maybe 6 miles up the South River. We had a BIG blow 25-30 k constant, gusts to 40 all from the SE & S. Had 150′ of chain on our 44 lb Delta out in 8′ & rode very well! Very buggy (April ) when the wind wasn’t blowing. Landed the dogs on the north shore of the creek. It had a sign that said, No Trespassing. A derelict dock & abandoned structure were there. Tied dink to “dock.” Boards missing. Be careful. Dirt roads appeared used & grass mowed nearby. We walked briefly on the roads. Saw no one, but wild turkeys. Cleaned up any dog waste & moved on. Felt bad about trespassing. But ZERO options. Brushed dogs for ticks! Check yourselves too.
For those of us who sail out of Oriental, South River is by far the most favorite anchorage. Once you get inside the mouth, the depth is good pretty much from shore to shore and you can pick either side depending on whether or not you want bugs and no waves or no bugs and a little chop! My favorite spot is Southwest Creek which further up stream or you can just keep going up the main channel and anchor in the middle where it gets narrow.
Capt. Sykes DeHart
Anchored just North of the Lukens Cemetary in about 5ft. The other writer is correct about the sticky, dense mud. I was bringing about 5 ft of chain at a time and wiping and washing it. Blech! I wish I could bring a bunch home and use for topsoil in my garden. It’s pretty rich stuff.
Keep your deck hose handy, you’ll need it!
I have anchored a bit too far to the south of Eastman Creek, in 6 feet of water, when the wind changed and blew hard out of the southwest. The depth of the water here is determined by the wind direction and strength, not by tides. When the wind blows hard from the south, the water level drops in the Neuse and I found myself bumping the bottom trying to find/create a channel out the next day. Once I was back in the middle of the river I had plenty of water.
This is a beautiful cruising ground with many choices, including some more secluded spots further up stream from those shown. We anchored off the entrance to Eastman Creek; holding was excellent in sticky dense mud. Further up, the entrance to Southwest Creek is another good option. As the Guide says, you can pretty much pick anywhere that looks good. This has become one of our favorite places just to hang out and get away from it all.
George and Ann
“Incentive” Hatteras 56MY