Located on the Ortega River just above the Roosevelt Blvd. Bridge and just below the intersection of the Ortega and St. Johns Rivers, Ortega Yacht Club Marina is especially convenient to the Riverside section of Jacksonville.

We have always had a good experience here. This is a private yacht club and they have recently offered transient slips.
Rules do include how clubhouse and pool area can be used depending on the package you chose when you check in.
Facilities are first class, docks are great and a very nice shower area is available. Stores, restaurant are close by.
I understand members wanting the clubhouse and pool area for friends and family on holiday weekends. These members pay big bucks to have this privilege! Really sorry to hear anyone had a bad experience here because we have recommended it often to fellow boaters on the ICW.
Rex & Jimmie aboard M/V `My Harley’

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Ortega Yacht Club Marina

More and more cruisers are finding Welaka city docks, museum and surrounding restaurants and attractions to be well worth the stop!

We went there by dinghy, loved the museum, and went two nights to the Shrimp R Us Tiki bar, what a deal! all walkable from the free docks.
Captain Sterling

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Welaka Public Dock

Hontoon Island State Park is a marvelous stop on the St. Johns River, south of Lake George and north of Lake Monroe (Sanford).

Good inexpensive dockage, but can have a little current. Bigger boats should use the T-docks because of dock size and depths.
Captain Sterling

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Hontoon Island State Park

Located south of Mandarin and Orange Park, FL, east off the St. Johns River on the north side of Julington Creek and just west of the Route 13 fixed bridge, Mandarin Holiday Marina has long been a very popular stop with cruisers on the St. Johns.

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
Rex and Jimmie aboard MV MyHarleyY

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Mandarin Holiday Marina

Boathouse Marina is located on the St. Johns River just south of the Palatka City Dock and in the heart of the Palatka Historic District.

No Fuel, quite, secure, a great place to stay. Owners are great and make you feel at home! Older marina but kept very clean and neat.
Rex and Jimmie aboard MV My HarleyY

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Boathouse Marina

Located on the Ortega River just above the Roosevelt Blvd. Bridge and just below the intersection of the Ortega and St. Johns Rivers, Ortega Yacht Club Marina is especially convenient to the Riverside section of Jacksonville.

The marina is nice and the location is convenient. But had bad experiences with marina management. Rules seemed to be enforced or created at the whim of the dock master. Was not `Customer Friendly’.
Water Boater

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Ortega Yacht Club Marina

Thanks to John Adams, the mystery of the “lost Burger King dock” is solved. Not only is the dock still there as Corky Bell’s, but Burger King is just across the street. Thanks John!

Submitted on 2010/06/14 at 6:15pm
The Burger King dock you are referring to is still there only it is now Corky Bell’s dock (they took the Burger King sign down). The Burger King is directly accross the street from Corky Bell’s and if you don’t want to eat at Corky Bell’s you can just cross the street. I tied up there in March on my way back from the Bahamas and stayed the night. In the morning I walked over to the Burger King for breakfast and when I came back I looked up at the very high pilings and found a small obscure sign at the top that said `No over nite docking’. I don’t know why the sign is not on all the pilings if they don’t want you to stay over nite. I tied up at the end of the dock so smaller boats could tie up if needed and didn’t see any sign saying no over-niter’s and I was looking for such a sign. Of course there is no water or electric but it’s free. I did have dinner at Corky Bell’s and it was great as it always is.
Captain John Adams

Click Here To View a Previous Posting on the Burger King Dock

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Devil’s Elbow Section of the St. Johns River, Where the Corky Bells Dock is Located

Located on the southern tip of Beresford Peninsular in the St. Johns River, Hontoon Landing Resort and Marina is across the river from, and should not be confused with, Hontoon Island State Park which is accessible only by boat. For more information on the State Park see http://www.floridastateparks.org/hontoonisland/

Submitted on 2010/06/14 at 12:43pm
On our cruise the past three weeks on the St. Johns River we stayed at Hontoon Island State Park docks on four nights between both passages. After a cruise along the creek that forms the north side of the island we thought we’d fill our gas tank, so dinghed over to Hontoon Landing Resort and Marina (directly across from the park). When we climbed the dock and checked the fuel price, we decided our gasoline supply could wait until we got to Sanford. The price was $4.30 or more (don’t remember exactly). There was also a sign indicating they would be happy to pump out your holding tank for $25.00 ‘“ guess that’s their contribution to Florida’s Green Marina initiative! They rent a lot of houseboats, so they’re undoubtedly making a lot of $$ between their high gasoline price for a mandatory fill and required pump out (whether needed or not) after renting their craft!
Bob McLeran and Judy Young

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida/St. Johns River Marina Directory Listing For Hontoon Landing Resort and Marina

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Hontoon Island State Park Docks

It’s really sad to me that the “Burger King Dock” is no more. This pier used to be spied just upstream from downtown Palatka, on the northern shores of the “Devil’s Elbow” section of the St. Johns. The good news is that there is apparently another dock that boater’s can use along this same stretch at “Corky Bells” (see below). If anyone can provide additional details about the “Corky Bells” pier, please click the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, and share your information.

Subject: Burger King docks, Palatka
Cruising News: Sadly, they have removed Burger King and the free dock there, however, right next door is Corky Bells with free day and dinner dockage very walkable to CVS drugs, Napa, and a grocery store.
On the way down river, we stopped at the Palatka City Docks for the night, They had free water and 15 amp service. However, on the return down river, their electric was not working.
Captain Sterling

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Devil’s Elbow Section of the St. Johns River, Where the Corky Bells Dock is Located

Boathouse Marina lies west-southwest of flashing daybeacon #1, a short hop south of the Palatka City Dock.

We stayed here for two nights. 53 ft. boat with 5′ draft. About 8′ of water on the outside docks. Outside dock can hold 2 large boats with all hookups. Shoreside facilities are not much ‘“ but people are very friendly and helpful. Great access to downtown. Would stay there again.
Captain Bernie Heinemann

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Boathouse Marina

Holly Bluff Marina overlooks the St. John’s easterly banks between flashing daybeacons #47 and #49, south of the DeLand Bridge, and north of Lake Monroe.

50 ft. boat ‘“ 5ft. draft. We stayed here one night. They tried to put us in a houseboat slip but it was not wide enough. We ended up on the gas dock. No problem. If you take a slip watch for the cross current. I don’t know how they get those big houseboats in. I guess they don’t have much below the water. It’s a long walk to the free ferry that goes to the state park (you can take bikes on the ferry) as you have to get across a canal and then loop back. Worth the stop. People were very nice.
Captain Bernie Heinemann

Click Here To View Another Posting For Holly Bluff Marina

Monroe Harbour Marina guards the southern banks of Lake Monroe, in the heart of the charted Sanford waterfront.

50 ft. boat 5 ft. draft. We stayed for two days. They had plenty of room in June. Good facility & ship’s store. They can get diesel by truck, but it needs to be over 500 gal. Sanford is a good town to visit. Lot’s of history and nearby stores. It’s a long trip if they don’t have room, so call ahead. Also be sure to call for instructions as to how to get in ‘“ it’s a little confusing for first timers.
Captain Bernie Heinemann

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Monroe Harbour Marina

Be sure to see Claiborne’s comments and photos on the post linked below!

Submitted on 2010/06/07 at 9:44am
50 ft. boat ‘“ 5 ft draft. The city dock is in good shape. We tied to the dolphins on the outside in about 10 ft. of water. A large tie along (floating) dock on the upstream side looked as if we could have used that spot as well, but we didn’t try. No power or water, but no charge either. The museum was worth the stop. They have a convenience store downtown and a beauty shop on the way to the museum. There is also a fish hatchery, but it started to rain and we headed back to the boat.
Captain Bernie Heinemann

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Welaka Public Dock

As you already know or have heard, the St Johns River is a beautiful stretch of water departing the AICW near Mayport and extending to Sanford, FL. I learned to water ski on the St. Johns and will never forget the smooth-as-glass dark waters. However, I have never visited Doctors Lake and I look forward to anchoring there and to hearing more of your comments and observations.
Doctors Inlet, leading to Doctors Lake, departs the St. Johns some ten miles upstream (south) of Jacksonville. Be advised that the “inlet” is spanned by a fixed bridge with 37 feet of vertical clearance. If your vessel can’t clear this height, you must forgo the many superb anchorage opportunities on Doctors Lake

We anchored a 50ft. boat just outside the [Swimming Pin] creek entrance and went in to Whitey’s Fish Camp for lunch. A storm came through and the anchor dragged (a lot). Got back to the boat just before it hit a boat dock. Bottom is soft muck which doesn’t hold well.
The dockmaster at Whiteys said the water up to the bridge is 6-8 feet deep and he has had 60 ft. boats at his dock. Call him and he’ll make space for you if you want to use the restaurant. It sounds as if you can spend the night there ‘“ no hookups.
Captain Bernie Heinemann

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For Doctors Lake, Swimming Pin Creek Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For Doctors Lake Mill Cove Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For Doctors Lake, Sugarhouse Cove Anchorage

Hontoon Island State Park is a GREAT place to visit on the upper St. Johns. I have always thought the docks here were more appropriate for smaller craft, so I’m glad Captains Bob and Judy were able to successfully berth thier 41 foot trawler.
Once the lines are coiled, don’t dare miss a dinghy trip up the nearby Hontoon Dead River. It looks pretty much the same as what must have greeted the eyes of Native Americans as they paddled their canoes up this stream several hundred years ago!

Subject: Hontoon Island State Park, St. Johns River
Cruising News: Just tied up at the Hontoon Island State Park on the upper St. Johns River in Florida. About 15 miles north of Sanford; located on the St. Johns River itself (not the smaller creek on the north side of the island). Multiple slips and two face docks with depth around 4 feet and mud bottom large enough to accommodate our DeFever 41 against a mid-ship piling and still have room for a smaller boat behind.
Bob McLeran/Judy Young

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Hontoon Island State Park

Ortega Landing Marina is the first facility that will come abeam on the northwestern shores as you enter Ortega River from the St. Johns River, a short hop upstream from downtown Jacksonville. This facility has been consistently praised on the Cruisers’ Net as being one of the finest in this region!

I recently moved Melissa Lee from Jacksonville, FL to Charleston, SC. We had been at the Marina at Ortega Landing since January and I will certainly return. The facility is first class with spotless heads and showers, a pool with a view over Ortega River. The slips are in floating piers. The staff is friendly and helpful. There is a discount for Loopers, 20% off daily rate of $1.75 and 10% off monthly rate of $559 for a 55 foot slip.
They are located just inside the Ortega River Bridge off the St. John River. The address is 4234 Lakeside Drive. Their phones are 800-800-0895 and 904-387-5538.
There is a great shopping center within walking distance. The Marina has been denoted a hurricane hole. Check with Chris at the Marina about the significance of this.
The best feature of the Marina are Josie and Ralph Crapps of Marine Solutions and Assoc. Their number is 904-885-2522. I thought I would take care of a number of projects while the boat was at the Marina but, as usual, I ran out of time. Ralph turned what I thought would be big projects into little projects. His work is exceptional and very reasonably priced. Nothing was done without a consultation but everything was done while I was away. It was very comforting to know the projects were being taken care of in a professional fashion but without the fear of sticker shock when I got the bill.
I recommend the Marina and Josey and Ralph very highly and I intend to return next winter. russ@russdeane.com
Russ

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Ortega Landing Marina

River City Marina resides on the St. Johns River in the heart of downtown Jacksonville, almost opposite the huge Jacksonville Landing shopping/dining complex. Currents at the docks here can be viscous, so go to school on what Captains Rex and Jimmy have to say below about asking for help from the dockmaster.

Saturday lunch is a favorite here for us when we have out-of-town company.
Also dinners are good and reasonable, in a beautiful setting on the St. Johns. (lunch/dinner docking is free)
For a real treat during regular hours, call marina and ask Lee (dockmaster) to help you with docking. He does a great job if you are not familiar with the currents. If you listen to what he says, he will put you right where you need to be! He is good!
Rex & Jimmie
MV `My HarleyY’

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For River City Marina

This facility used to be Whitneys Marine, and I have not had the chance to visit here since the name and owners were changed. That makes me doubly glad to have Captain Austine’s detailed report below here on the Net.

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

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Fleming Island Marina

This facility sits in a rather isolated location south of Palatka, but, hey, on the St. Johns River, that’s probably what most cruisers are looking for.

Great small town marina. Inexpensive dockage, excellent happy hour under the oak a 5 pm(listen for the bell). It’s also a you can work on it boat yard. Owner may lend you his car to get supplies. Make sure and visit the wooden boat museum in town.
Captain Sterling

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Acosta Creek Marina

Captain Sterling isn’t kidding when he notes that this marina is swept by strong currents. Be ready for these swiftly moving waters as you approach the docks. Even with this drawback, we like to tie up here and take the water taxi cross the St. Johns to the huge Jacksonville Landing shopping/dining complex. Everyone should do this at least once!

Lots of current here! ask for help if you need it! Take the water taxi or dink across river to the Landings for restaurants.
Captain Sterling

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For River City Marina