The Bel Marra Anchorage, described by Captain Thomason below, consists of a lake like body of water, just a short hop off the AICW, north of Fort Lauderdale. There is some shelter from foul weather, but, as Jean notes below. wakes from vessels passing on the Waterway can be a bit of annoyance.
This is one or our favorite anchorages along this stretch. We are usually the only boat anchored here. Once there was another boat which turned out to be people we knew! At close to high tide the center of the basin is over 13 feet. The only drawback is that boats passing on the ICW send in wakes. This isn’t a problem at night and not much on a weekday. A weekend might be another story. While the shore of the lake is all privately owned, there should be places out on the waterway to land a dinghy and dog. Jean Thomason DOVEKIE
To reach this anchorage, you must leave the AICW northwest of the North Palm Beach/Parker Bridge, and then track your way upstream on a local canal, until you reach a squared-off cove. Be SURE to follow the link below to the “Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory” lisiting for this overnight haven, and check out the chartlet. You might also click on the chartlet to bring up a “Chart View” page centered on this haven. Some have reported poor holiding ground here, but Captain Jean does not seem to have had this problem during her two visits (see below).
This is the second time we’ve anchored here and haven’t had a problem with holding but the wind isn’t very strong either, It’s a nice anchorage – over 13 feet at low tide in the center of the first basin and plenty of swing room. Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE)
I have always loved the Peck Lake Anchorage, not the least reason for which is that it’s wonderful to dinghy ashore and explore the more and less deserted beach which lies between this anchorage and the briny blue. Sometimes, we have found depths between the AICW and the anchorage to be on the thin side, but looks like Captian Jean did not have this difficulty (see below).
We anchored at Peck Lake last night with 15-20 k wind from the NW. It was a little noisy with waves hitting the hull but not enough to keep us awake. This is the third or fourth time we have stayed here and only once was the weather such that we felt like walking the beach which is a beautiful undeveloped stretch. There is room for a number of boats (there were six last night). We had 7.4 ft at low tide at N27 06 85. W080 08 58. There was over thirteen feet a little farther to the north. There are wakes from the ICW during the day. Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE)
Below are a couple of in-depth reports and some great pics centered on Fernandina Harbor Marina, some by way of our fearless Waterway reporter, Captain Jane Tigar. To be somewhat succinct, Fernandina Harbor Marina is a great place to stay, and now that they have new showers and a Laundromat, it’s even better. The adjacent downtown business district is packed with great places to eat and shop. Give this facility your most serious consideration!
It was an exhilarating and rough day on the waterway. A vessel in Jekyll Sound reported 39 knots; it felt like at least that and it was wind against current. We are calling it our literal shake down cruise. Having done Jekyll creek, the gale on Jekyll Sound and Cumberland Dividing, we decided we earned a treat. What a great treat it was.
Whole fresh flounder at Marina Restaurant in Fernandina. They are running an unbelievable special of two dinners for the price of one if you buy two beverages. $20.95 for two whole flounders cooked to perfection with two sides. Salad was real and fresh. Pepper and salt grinders on the table. Honest good food, truly the best flounder we have ever had. Plus the people are so friendly; couldn’t ask for cheerier hostess and servers. The hosteas and servers seemed to know many of the customers by name and their ‘usual’. The place was packed by 6:30 PM. No mystery there.
I forgot to mention, I think, we found over 20 feet at an hour and a half or so before high tide at inside face dock. 12-13 feet at entrance channel. Also, supreme kudos to marina staff who expertly spun us off our stern to leave in conditions of gusty wind and a strong current. Truly professional.
Here is a view of the larger basin at Fernandina Harbor Marina.
Most of the vessels you see on the inside of the face dock are refugees from today’s galenon Jekyll Sound. It was blowing here, too, and dock hands were throughly professional getting us all in safely.
The low modern looking building, to the left of Atlantic Seafood, houses the boaters lounge and facilities. The building with the peaked roof to its left is the tourist office.
Cruisers’ Lounge – Fernandina Harbor Marina.
By the way, free wifi at the marina. Transient rates $2 a foot with electric.
It’s been several years since we have stayed here. Big improvements! Clean and modern showers, heads and laundry and a boaters lounge with free wifi. The lounge is open early morning to sunset. Showers, heads and laundry 24/7. S/V Lady Jane
After spending a few days on the hook, we decided to treat ourselves as well and head into the Fernandia Harbor Marina. The weather didn’t improve much so we took advantage of the new great Captain’s lounge. This room offers hot coffee, huge flat screen tv, comfy seating or for cruiser’s that work aboard a table and wi’fi reception. It’s a marvellous clean room and very airy, we met several cruisers waiting out the weather and it was a treat. We also ventured to the Italian restaurant Pompeo’s and had a marvellous meal!! Excellent stop! Dick and Elle Lssman
Subject: Battery Provider, Ft. Pierce/Stuart Cruising News: A huge attaboy to Brad at Performance Golf Car & Battery for getting us four Trojan T-105’s in otherwise difficult circumstances. Long story short, we realized our four Deka GC15 6V batteries were on their way out the door after five years’ service. A friend spotted Brad delivering batteries where we’re moored, at Sunset Bay in Stuart. This time of year, the demand for 6V batteries goes through the roof as snowbirds return to FL and want batteries for their golf cars and boats. We’d already called local battery dealers who didn’t have the batteries we need (our battery box space is very limited – only certain battery cases fit) and we were beginning to think we were in deep trouble until Brad showed up. We bought his last two T-105’s. Even with lots of hunting around, Brad couldn’t turn up the other two we needed. Two days later, he had them on hand and we had them installed in the boat. This battery hunt involved a lot of phone time on Brad\’s part, driving to deliver two separate sets of batteries to the marina as we don’t have a car. We paid $90 a battery plus a $1.50 recycling charge, a very good price for Trojan T-105\’s. There was no charge for delivery to the marina. It’s my understanding they service at least the area from Ft. Pierce to Stuart. For details, call Performance Golf Car & Battery at 772-873-8222 (office), 772-359-9175 (cell) or golfcarperformance@yahoo.com DISCLAIMER: I have no connection with Performance Golf Car save as a satisfied customer. Rick Emerson
I could not agree more with the crew of Kismet. A cruise of the St. Johns River is simply not to be missed. In addition to the two attractons outline below, there are dozens of off-the-beaten-path anchorage which just beg to have a night spent on their tranquil waters.
Hi from Kismet: Most . . . will pass Jacksonville, Florida on the way north in the spring and we would encourage those [cruisers] to take in the St Johns River. Yes it’s 140 miles from the ICW all the way south to Sanford but the trip is well worth it, take the time especially if you’ll only be by this area one time. Two highlights during our trip up river were: (1) Silver Glen Springs on the west side of Lake George at about mile 110 off the St Johns. This spring goes up 3/4 mile off of the Lake, the water is crystal clear, 72 degrees year-round and therefore great for swimming and inspecting or cleaning the bottom of your boat, we stayed 3 days. Before heading in we called the local Tow-BoatUS to check on water depths and local knowledge. Based on this we came to the spring’s channel from the south. We were advised to find the SLOW SPEED sign supported by a single post with 2 blue reflectors attached to it with two white stripes on the wood pole. We kept the sign to our starboard and headed diagonally towards the channel in 6 feet of water. Once at the mouth of the channel we found the deepest water to the north side of the channel. When you’re about two-thirds of the way in two sets of buoys split the channel, stay to the south here as there is a sand bar in the middle. Just past this split bow into sand bar (water 2 to 3 feet at bow) set anchor and put out a stern anchor. Well protected, scenic and best to visit during the week as the weekends can be very busy especially in the summer. We were there off-season and there was hardly anyone there. (2) Blue Springs State Park at mile 141.8 on the St Johns. Proceed past the Park to G75 and pull into Snake Creek to your starboard. Where you find 7 feet of water drop and set your hook and secure a stern anchor. Dinghy back to the State Park and beach your dinghy. Then you can walk the park’s boardwalk back about 1 mile to the spring. Along the walk there are platforms to view the crystal clear Blue Springs where 101 million gallons of fresh water flows from the spring daily. Because the water her is a continual 72 degrees, year-round, it’s a manatee migration destination. We saw eight to ten while we were there along with fish and large turtles. In the spring, summer and early fall you can also swim in the spring area. Go to our blog: http://www.favorsgreatloopblog.com to see a visual presentation of our trip on the St. Johns River (2009). Jim & Lisa Favors – Kismet Fathom 40 Fast Trawler
When I saw the entry below on the T&T (Trawlers and Trawlering) Mail List, I wondered if there was a new marina about to open in West Palm Beach, which I was unaware of.
Does anyone know the status of the West Palm Beach Marina? It was closed for remodel.Is it open? Thanks Larry
So, I queried the T&T list for more information, and discovered this facility is the really Palm Harbor Marina:
Claiborne It is called the Palm Harbor Marina. I hope this clears it up It was in bad shape before the renovation. Now it seems to be a first class installation when completed I presume this is the marina the questioner referred to. It is right downtown W Palm Beach. they have a street fair on Friday at intervals, believe which we hit a few years ago by chance. Greg and Susan Han Key Biscayne, FL Allegria — Krogen Whaleback #16
Palm Harbor Marina has actually been around for a long time, but it has indeed been closed for some time to accomodate a full scale renovation. And, as of 1/14/10, the new incarnation of Palm Harbor Marina is reported below to be open, ready for busines, and a first class operation to boot!
The Marina is in fact opened! It is a top notch facility and great amenities! Jake
Subject: Palm Harbor Marina Cruising News: The marina has reopened with new concrete floating docks, power, water, phone & cable, and pump out at each slip. We visited Palm Harbor with several other boats. Charges were $2.25/ft plus $25 for a 50 amp cord. Very attractive facility, friendly and competent staff. Easy walk to restaurants and shops. Malcolm
Faber Cove Anchorage is accessed off a marked channel, making off from the eastern flanks of the AICW, just a short hop south of the Fort Pierce high-rise bridge. It’s a bit of a trek to get to the cove, but once there, the shelter is quite good.
We anchored at Faber Cove a few years ago and it was so crowded that we’ve never tried it again – anchored south of Causeway Island instead. However, tonight there is a strong east wind so we decided to give the cove a try again. We were pleasantly surprised to find only two boats anchored when we arrived and only two have comes since. Great, well protected spot good depth: 9 ft plus on the east side of the cove. Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE)
Captain Emerson’s message below is actually in response to an earlier posting here on the Cruisers’ Net, but I wanted to give this info “front and center” status. Everyone can be SURE that I will be giving Cafe Chocolat my most serious attention whenever we next visit Titusville!
Too bad the above reporter missed `Cafe Chocolat’ and two other restaurants (closed, when we were there, for the Thanksgiving weekend). We ate lunch at Cafe Chocolat and recommend it highly for quality, service, and value for money. There’s also a good used bookstore just down the street from Cafe Chocolat (and across the street from one of the two closed night spots). Granted the Save-a-Lot is not the greatest grocery around, although we found some things we wanted and which fit our needs. There is bus service to additional shopping. Ask at the marina office about where the bus stops, etc. Rick Emerson
Oops, forgot to mention Sunrise Whole Grain Bakery and Coffee Shop – good bread and free WiFi! – http://www.sunrisebread.com/ They’re on the S. Hopkins Ave. side of the same block as Cafe Chocolat, which fronts on S. Washington Ave. (This makes more sense when you Google on these places, trust me’¦) Rick Emerson
Below are a copy of a question and answer which appear on the Net’s “Ask Your Neighbor” page (/category/ask-your-neighbor/). Not only did Captain Emerson answer his own question, but he has provided some valuable information about Dragon Point anchorage. By the way, this anchor down spot lies at the extreme southern foot of the Banana River, and is easily accessible from the Indian River/AICW.
Subject: Dragon Point Anchorage Cruising News: Has anyone anchored off Dragon Point or used the anchorage at the mouth of the Banana River recently? It appears the local community has a ban on anchoring and the marinas won’t allow a dinghy to tie up. If so, why bother stopping there? Or are we missing something? Rick Emerson
As expected, the anchoring ban has been overruled by the change in the new anchoring law. However, the area marinas are still adamant about not allowing dinghies from anchored boats to tie up. Friends stayed in the area because they had to go ashore for business reasons. Their only choice was to take a slip at, in their case, Telemar Bay Marina. Rick Emerson
We love docking at New Smyrna Beach City Marina. There has always been a laid back, but very helpful attitude here, which is part of parcel of real cruising. The downtown shopping district lies within easy walking distance, and there are plenty of good place to dine ashore. And, oh yes, let’s not forget these good people are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
We ducked in here on the tail end of a storm, and I’m very glad we did. Great staff with very good facilities. Everyone went out of their way to make us feel at home. Location is terrific with many good resturants within close walking distance. We WILL return to this facility. Bob M/V `Threadbare’
I have always thought that the Titusville Municipal Marina was one of the best smaller, city operated facilities in Florida. Looks like Captain agress below. Now, if we could ONLY convince them to become a Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net sponsor!!!
We have only stayed at Titusville Marina once (in 2004). The facility had been improved greatly since then. We have, however tied up at the marina for a short stay during the day to go the the grocery (Save-a-Lot – not much variety and bring your own bags) and this time to fill our propane tank. The marina staff are helpful and we ave never been charged for these short stays. We usually then go on through the bridge before 3:15 PM and anchor at Addison Point. Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE)
Below you will find a bevy of really useful cruising information and recommendations from Captain Jean Thomason, concerning the St. Augustine, Florida area. Notice her news about the new Bridge of Lions. Everyone in the cruising community will rejoice when this construction is finally completed. It seems to have already gone on forever!
We always enjoy our stay at St. Augustine City Marina. Hopefully the bridge work will be done soon- word is that traffic will start to use the redone Bridge of Lions next month. Of course, they will then be removing the temporary bridge. We had a leaking raw water pump and turned to First Mate Yacht Service to install a replacement pump. They came promptly Monday morning, dealt with the problem and we were on our way before noon. Give them a try if you need help. Sometimes I trek across the bridge and go to the little grocery store on the right a few blocks up. They don’t have everything but do have the essentials, especially meat and vegetables and fruits. Didn’t get to shop this time however. Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE)
Hmmmmm, sounds like the new mooring field at Coconut Gove (Miami) has some real administrative problems.
We came into the new dinner key mooring field on Dec 1, and they asked us to take a mooring on the outskirts of the field that was a fair dingy ride in and is subject to wakes from boats in the channels before they begin to slow down ‘” we are a 40′ Jeanneau ds40 with a 5’ draft – As we dinghied in we noted several 40’+ boats with deeper draft closer in so we asked if we could move closer in as most of the field is currently empty ‘” we suggested a mooring number and told to go ahead and move which we did. Now we are told that the mooring we moved to is a 30′ mooring and the original mooring we were on was a 40′ mooring – in fact i would estimate that over 2/3 of the mooring field is designed for boats less than 40′ and we were told that they can not accomadate any boat greater than 42′ – when i told them a 47′ boat just left for the islands they agreed and told us that the boat was told they could no longer use the field because they were too big – There is also a very very tiny dingy dock Trying not to be to prejudical, it appears if this is a test field for the florida anchoring problem they designed it for failure – in fact you may just want to anchor on the other side of the mooring field and not have to pay which is right next to the 40-42’ moorings just my thoughts chuck patty and svsoulmates miami fl
Hello, As for the engineering of the field I guess what is done is done for now. Short of building a break water all around the field, I don’t know. It’s an unprotected area, so it will be rolly polly from wind, waves and wakes. I suppose the center of the field and closer to land may be the best spot to be in if you have a choice and a lesser draft. But in regards to the dingy dock I was told that the larger floating dingy dock by the boat ramp will eventually be available to the mooring customers, once the mooring customer showers, baths and offices are installed. However for security purposes my preference would be where they have it now, well inside the marina and close to the harbormasters office, better a small safe dingy dock than one exposed to the street and to the unsavory characters that hang around the boat ramp at night. Hope things improve. Jules S/V Nemesis Dinner Key Marina Miami
I keep my boat (70 feet) in Florida most of the winter and in Nantucket Harbor during the summer. In Nantucket we’re on a mooring, there is a Town-owned and operated pump-out boat running 7 days a week, launch service, two good-sized dingy docks and even delivery service. The Harbormaster’s building, at the foot of the Town Dock where the dingy docks are has nice bathrooms with clean showers. The water in the Harbor is clean, so clean that the Harbor is used for commercial scalloping in the fall and winter, and it is certainly clean enough for swimming. The health of the scallop population is dependent on clean water and healthy beds of sea grass. If boats were anchored instead of on moorings the sea grass beds would be destroyed in a season or two. Contast this with Florida where mooring fields are few and far between, pump-out facilities (let alone pump-out boats) are scarse and out-of service much of the time, and amenities of any kind are limited to say the least. I don’t get it. Florida’s waters are just as precious as New England’s waters. I’ve been reading for years about the damage done to coral by yachts anchoring on top of or too close to the reefs. If there was a mooring field close by (but not too close) and an anchoring ban enforced it strikes me that the problem would be at least partially solved. Just my opinion. Nancy
I call the overnight haven discussed below the, “One And Only Anchorage,” because it’s the only anchor down spot anywhere near the AICW between the Wateway’s crossing of St. Johns River and the Tolomato River. It is found along the AICW’s eastern flanks, north of the high-rise Pablo Creek bridge, BUT you MUST enter from its northern mouth.
Dear Claiborne, We are back on board and moving south from Jacksonville. Tonight anchored off Pablo Creek on what you call “the one and only anchorage”. We couldn’t find those 10-15 foot depths you mention behind the three islands on the northern part of the creek. 20-35 ft was more like it close to low tide. We anchored in the northern mouth of the creek in 19 feet. There are a couple of old resident sailboats and a couple of moorings farther in behind the islands. Maybe we should have gone nearer to shore? Jean Thomason DOVEKIE
The accolades here on the Cruisers’ Net keep piling up for Sunset Bay Marina in Stuart, Florida. If any of you do not recognize this marina’s name, it is the new, much improved incarnation of the South Pointe Anchorage facility. It is found on the eastern banks of the St. Lucie River, South Fork, just upstream of the old Roosevelt twin bridges. We have visited this facility ourselves on two occasions since its remodeling. I can attest to the accuracy of the good things Captain Emerson has to say below.
Repeating comments I posted elsewhere on this site, in reply to a `where to stay’ request: `We’re currently moored at Sunset Bay Marina, on the south fork of the St. Lucie River, in Stuart. Moorings are $10 / day or $240 / month. There are slips but they’re booked for the winter. The location is about 7-8 miles off the ICW. Boats drawing 7′ or more may be challenged at the river entrance and in the river itself (we draw 6′ and found some `skinny bits’ at the entrance, while following the marked channel). That being said, the marina is a great place to be, with excellent facilities, helpful staff, and easy walking access to Stuart’s shops as well as a Publix, etc. about a half mile along US1. We stopped here to ride out some weather, with the plan of moving on to a marina in North Palm Beach for a Christmas break. Instead we’ll leave the boat here for the break, and are glad we found Sunset Bay Marina.’ Rick Emerson
I don’t think I can add to the nice things that have already been posted except to say they were nice enough to let us hang at the fuel dock to walk to Publix and to do laundry (laundry room has 5 washers and 6 dryers!) before we went to our mooring. I certainly would return to Sunset Bay in the future! The mooring field is nicely laid out. A first class operation! Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE)
We are at Sunset Bay Marina in Stuart. It is also very friendly, has a pumpout boat that visits with a phone call, and not rafting up on mooring balls! Get togethers three nites a week if you want and sparkling new, clean facilities. Lots of stuff available within walking distance. Great prices too. As of today it is almost full to capacity which is wonderful considering (from what we have heard) some fought adding docks and updating the buildings because its a bit off the ICW and they thought it would not attract enough cruisers. They were wrong!! This place is full and operating just fine at capacity. The only downside at this point is that this area should be a no wake zone! We got here late and are on one of the outside moorings and get quite a bit of wake from passing boats. Im not sure why it is not a no wake zone since its between two bridges and nears a marina with hundreds of boats. Would suggest picking up a ball closer in if you can. Sami and Barry Shreve
The note below is actually in response to a question on the Net’s “Ask Your Neighbor” page (/category/ask-your-neighbor/). However, I though the contents important enough to post on all the Net’s Floridian pages.
The Florida Wildlife website lists the following under boat speed limits: Any vessel operating in a speed zone posted as `Idle Speed – No Wake’ must operate at the minimum speed that will maintain steerageway. Any vessel operating in a speed zone posted as `Slow Down – Minimum Wake’ must operate fully off plane and completely settled in water. The vessel’s wake must not be excessive nor create a hazard to other vessels. However, the determination is up to the officer and there are many officers with differing opinions. Doug Kendrick
Lambs Yacht Center is the most upstream of the facilities on the Ortega River. This stream makes into the St. Johns River a short hop upstream of downtown Jacksonville. Lambs is a long-time SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, and we can not recommend this yard and marina too highly.
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
Captain message below details an anchorage that I have never before research, and, thus, it is not included in the Net’s Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory (/category/anchorages-eastern-florida/). If anyone could provide additional details for this haven, particularly a Lat/Lon postion and MLW depths recorded, that would be MOST helpful!
Subject: Rockhouse Creek anchorage apprx st mile 842 Cruising News: Lovely spot second time we\’ve spent a night there. Good holding and more than enough swing room for a 55\’ cruiser. There is a charted shoal at the south side of the mouth. Ron
We have been here three nights. Its a lovely anchorage, with plenty of room and small spits of beach on both sides. One in particular is great for dog walking. Tonight we are swinging around quite a bit but have good holding. Dolphins come thru daily feeding and giving a show! We will leave on high tide in the morning.
The accolades keep rolling in for Cocoa Village Marina. Clearly, this is a GOOD place for cruisers to coil their lines!
Very nice marina with the swankiest Captain’s Lounge yet. We hit Cafe Margaux for lunch which was outstanding. It’s a pretty fancy spot and not inexpensive, but you get what you pay for. Guys’¦suggest you send the first mate to the `cutesy shops’ while you spend an hour wandering through Travis Hardware. You gotta see this place. s/v MicMac
On Board Take Five, 11/30/09. Just dropped by to inquire about rates. There are two areas: one is exposed to northerly winds, the other has a concrete bulkhead. The protected slips have recently been sold at auction. The marina staff will not be able to commit to any renting of slips until Dec 7, when the owners will announce their intentions to rent their slips or keep their own boats in them. Costs for rental of protected slips are based on length of slip, not boat, with 50 foot minimum. Costs of rental at exposed slips based on length of vessel. First impression of this marina is that it is excellent. HB Koerner
Be the first to comment!