Sunbury Crab Company Marina – Click for Chartview

Sunbury Crab Company Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, lies off the AICW along the western shores of the Medway River, on the charted Sunbury Channel, north of Dickinson Creek.

Although my visit to Sunbury Crab Company and Marina has been over a year ago, I feel compelled to submit kind words and a hearty recommendation for this excellent marina and restaurant whenever I find the opportunity.
Everyone is always looking for a little local knowledge and treasured stopovers when traveling the ICW. Sunbury is one such place that flies below the radar of most cruisers. Located along an isolated stretch of the GA coastline and several miles up the mostly uncharted Medway River, the marina & restaurant are not well known. One trip there and you will never pass this stretch of the ICW without making Sunbury Crab Company & Marina a regular stopover.
The marina & restaurant are owned and run by Elaine and Bernie Maley and their sons. They literally catch the crab from the river, cook them, bring to your table, mix your drink, and do it all! During weekend visits I think Bernie even plays in the band. I wrote a review for TripAdvisor and called this place a little piece of heaven and the keys all bundled together. For Elaine and her family it is their paradise, and they are willing to share with everyone who stops by.
I suggest calling ahead to make reservations. Calling is much better than email for some reason. After the first couple miles off the ICW the Medway River is not marked. There is a tricky crossover point with 5′ or less water at low tide. After my visit there I marked the channel on a chart and sent to Elaine. It is now posted on their web site.
There are many good articles and reviews about Sunbury Crab Company on the facility’s web site. Believe every word you read! While the crabs are excellent, I think the boiled shrimp are the best I’ve ever eaten ‘“ and believe me I’ve eaten a lot of shrimp!!
James Newsome
Contributing Writer ‘“ SOUTHWINDS Magazine

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Sunbury Crab Company

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Brunswick Landing Marina – Click for Chartview

Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles – Click for Chartview

Recently, SSECN has received reports and opinions on Brunswick Landing Marina and Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles (/?p=135526 and /?p=135528) Now Skipper Newsome provides a fair and comprehensive comparison of the two facilities.

Both BLM and Morningstar at Golden Isles are great marinas. Over the past 14 years I’ve spent 6 years at BLM and 8 total years at GIM. I’m currently located at GIM and overall prefer it, but it is strictly a personal preference as to what you are looking for in a marina.
DIFFERENCES:
Pool‘“ GIM has a pool, BLM does not. this is very important to us.
Captain’s Lounge ‘“ BLM has a newly expanded GREAT Captain’s Lounge with free laundry facilities. GIM does not have Captain’s Lounge but does have an open air Observation Deck with covered roof and grill. There is a laundry room, but it is coin operated.
Restaurant ‘“ BLM has no restaurants on the marina property, but there are a few in the downtown area. The walk from the marina to the downtown is reasonable if you’re on the first few docks, but not so much if you’re on the docks closer to the Captain’s Lounge. GIM has a restaurant, Coastal Kitchen, on the property. It is very good, but a little pricey.
Staff ‘“ This is the real difference in my opinion. BLM has recently hired marina manager who was the Commodore of the local sailing club. He is doing a great job, but otherwise the staff there is limited to one lady. I have pulled up for gas there and never had her put down the cell phone or quit smoking cigarettes to even help me dock, pump gas, or cast off. GIM has a highly professional staff who are on duty 7 days a week from 7am until 6pm or whenever is needed. I’ve seen them leave after 9pm because they were waiting on a transient to arrive.
Current ‘“ No comparison here either. BLM doesn’t have a current, it’s all over at GIM. Depending on your docking skills this is important. While it’s nice not to have a current to deal with, I personally prefer a current. I’m a better skipper because of learning to deal with current at GIM.
Docks ‘“ Top notch concrete docks at BLM, and well maintained wooden docks at GIM. No dockboxes at BLM. Large dock boxes at GIM.
Managers ‘“ Both marinas have excellent managers. I know both personally, and suggest that you contact them for a tour of their facilities.
Golden Isles Sailing Club ‘“ I’m a member and there are members at both marinas. If you’re a sailor then I invite you to join. Great activity all year long with excellent racing opportunities. Some of the member will appear to be a little standoffish, but most are very friendly. It’s one of those things where you just have to walk up, introduce yourself, and then go make your presence known on the race course.
Parking ‘“ More than enough at BLM. Not enough at GIM, but you can always find parking.
Access to St. Simon’s Sound ‘“ As already pointed out you are very close to open water at GIM. It is a haul from BLM, but not unreasonable. Because BLM is located further inland it is more protected from strong ocean wind. BLM is also very hot in the summer. At low tide you are below the level of the land and it can be like a sauna. GIM is closer to the ocean so if there’s a breeze you will feel it.
Social ‘“ Both marina do have active boat owners who are regular visitors to the docks. Social interaction depends a lot on which dock you’re on. I was located on Dock 9 at BLM and for some reason there were very few active boaters there. Seemed like most were just moving up from Florida during hurricane season. I’ve found a much more active social interaction at GIM, but I know it exists also at BLM. In particular the GISC (Golden Isles Sailing Club) members tend to occupy two or three of the finger docks.
There are other differences but these are the ones I consider important. Hope this helps.
James Newsome

To be fair, BLM has TWO full time staff, and is single handed only two low traffic days a week. Our arrivals and departures and pump outs have all been handled by both staff together.
Secondly, BLM has virtually zero current. GIM extends well across a tidal channel that makes all but slack water arrivals a big challenge ‘” not really an issue if one doesn’t come and go.
Chris

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Brunswick Landing Marina

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Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Golden Isles Marina