I’ve stared at chart 11507 several hundred times since I began writing about the Georgia coastline in the 1980’s. And yet every time, keen observer that I am, I’ve missed the designation “Special Anchroage” on the waters of extreme southern Frederica River, south of Golden Isles Marina. In fact, I don’t remember seeing any (or certainly not many) boats riding on the hook here over the years.
Captain Emerson’t excellent, detailed report below rectifies that error on my part.
Now, I would very much appreciate input from the cruising community as to whether these waters should be included in the Net’s “Georgia Anchorage Directory.” Does this anchorage afford enough shelter and/or good holding ground to justify its inclusion, or not. I would really like to have some input from as many of you as possible. Just click on the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below. Thanks so much in advance!

Lanier Island, on the Frederica River, has a designated anchorage area south of the fixed Frederica River bridge (9′ vertical clearance) and Golden Isles Marina. Currents are typical for this area (1-2 kts) as are the tides (about 8 feet). The holding is reported to be spotty, however our CQR dug in on the first try and has held through three tide changes. Wind protection is minimal, with a marshy spit to the west, open water north and south, and St Simons Island to the east but not close. Again, in unsettled weather, protection from wave action isn’t good. There is some wake from SeaTow boats, the Brunswick pilot boats, and larger power boats heading to the marina. Depths vary with the distance from shore. However, charts show the remains of pilings and we found one float, from a crab trap, that was just below the surface at high tide. Finally, although charts show a designated anchorage area, not setting an anchor light is simply asking for a rude surprise in the middle of the night.
We looked at the anchorage area a mile or two above the bridge. There’s a little more shelter from northerly and southerly wave action, but it can only be reached by following the river south or taking the narrrow cut north of Lanier Island.
Options ashore are limited. We called Golden Isles Marina and were politely told they don’t rent bicycles and the ones they have are for customers only – no surprise, really. The nearest source for a bicycle is 2 miles away, on St. Simons Island, and they don’t deliver bikes. We did find a dock, just above the bridge and on the St Simons Island shore, where it’s possible to tie up a dinghy and go ashore. Be careful of the fishing lines from people fishing from the pier! According to the park signs, overnight tie-ups are not allowed and tie-ups are limited to two hours when permitted. We walked ashore and found there are no obvious paths to follow into a town. The one map we have of the area shows only one road from the bridge or park and that’s busy road with no sidewalk. The only way to see the area, then, is to rent a car.
In short, the anchorage is good as a stopover, in settled weather, before making the final push, inside or outside, to Fernandina, FL. It doesn’t have much to recommend it as a place to stop and see the area. (As an aside, our plotted routes to Fernandina, inside and out, match within less than a mile. The choice comes down to the weather and preference for seeing Jekyll and Cumberland Islands or pressing on to Fernandina.)
Rick Emerson

Lanier Island isn’t a good place to be in bad weather, but it is a very good stopover point and, as such, should be listed. There were 4-5 other boats anchored there when we were there.
Cheers,
Rick

After extensive search with a depth finder, I could not find the charted submerged pilings. This confirms local knowledge that they dated from WW2 and have not been in existance since the ICW was moved from the East side of Lanier Island to the West side some time in the 50’s. Holding is spotty and the depths are less than charted toward shore. Also, about half of the designated area is occupird by a private marina (not Golden Isles which is North of the private marina). All this said, it is a useful anchorage in appropiate weather.
Captian JJ

There had been some earlier reports here on the Net about shallowing depths on the Creighton Narrows (south of Sapelo Sound and Front River) section of the Georgia AICW. Looks like Captain Emerson found good depths.

We ran Creighton Narrows an hour after low tide today (15 Nov 09) and didn’t have problems with our 6′ draft.
Rick Emerson

New Teakettle Creek, which runs off the AICW’s passage through (guess what), Old Teakettle Creek, offers several overnight anchorages. The marsh grass shores do not give the best protection in really heavy weather, but, hey, that’s true of most coastal anchorages in the Peach State.

An anchorage I had always meant to try, but had never fit into my travel day. Planned it out, anchored up past Mary Creek about 0.5 mi, a little bit to port of the charted deep water, and had good anchorage, with 10-15 kts out of the NE.
Capt Bill,
s/v Kittiwake

We anchored in New Teakettle last night, Nov 15, and got in just at sunset and near high tide. There were about 6 boats already there, and lots of room left over. We anchored in about 20′ at high water, and found the holding to be excellent. Not only that, but that chain and anchor came up clean! Lots of room to swing, and the chorus from the marsh creatures (frogs? birds?) was like nothing we’ve ever heard before, and this is our 6th or 7th trip on the ICW
James Forsyth
S/V Solution

Anchored there in opur 41′ boat; also anchored in Duplin River (mm649.3) and anchored 11/04, 5/05 and 11/09 in Back River (mm651.3) in our 53′. There is lots of current, but plenty of room to swing; enter on North side and anchor on south side as the north side is cused by fishing boats. Also anchored: 5/06 (mm525.5) Cattle Pen Creek, 5/05 (630.0) Wahoo River.
We have also anchored many times in Frederica River (mm665.7 to 673.4). We look forward to Georgia anchorages when the bugs are not too plentiful!
Margo

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Anchorage Directory Listing For New Teakettle Creek

Golden Isles is certainly an excellent operation, but also give a look at Jekyll Harbor Marina, just to the south on the eastern shores of the AICW/Jekyll Creek. This latter facility is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

Just spent three days here waiting out the remains of IDA. Great staff (Melissa, Rose, Chick et al). Coastal Kitchen at the top of the dock had excellent cuisine. Rented a car at the airport (closeby) to visit St. Simons and Jekyll Island. Gonna miss the muffins and newspaper in the morning when we’re in a marina next.
Pete & Mary Ann s/v MicMac

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina

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

It’s a long trek up the inadequately marked Ogeechee River from the AICW to Fort McAllister Marina. As Captains Bob and Judy suggest below, be SURE to call the marina ahead of time for navigational directions. Otherwise, this is clearly one of the most improved marinas along the Georgia coastline. A complete rebuild a few years ago seems to have really done the job!

We stayed in this marina for two nights in mid-October 2009 in order to be close to make a quick driving trip to our home in Florida. The marina is a jewel of a place to stay if you need access to the southern area of Savannah. It’s about 7 miles off the ICW, so may not be suitable for those just passing through the area. The rates are extremely reasonable.Friendly, helpful marina staff. You’ll need to consult them to find your way into the marina through the shoal water about a mile downstream of the marina, but it’s easy enough once you are told how to proceed. Former private ATONS washed away in the tidal current (up to 2.5 knots), but the Coast Guard is in the process of adding light-listed markers. Hopefully they’ll also conduct a bottom survey to update the chart of the area.The Maptech chartbook of the area does not cover the Ogeechee River beyond the ICW, but electronics charts on a laptop and chartplotter did; however, they were not accurate by any stretch of the imagination within 2 miles of the marina – that’s where you need to call for local knowledge.In the lower river, the charted 8 foot shoal extending from the north bank extends much further than shown. Stay close to the south bank (port side when going upstream) until past the 8 foot tongue and then move to the north (starboard) side the rest of the way up the river until coming around the last broad bend to port when you’ll need to switch to the port side of the river (and call for local knowledge). Close to the outer banks on both sides the depths run 12-16 feet at low tide.The on-site casual restaurant specializes in seafood and has a commanding view of the river and docks. Try the shrimp and grits – they’re great!Bob McLeran and Judy YoungNow that we’re back home after five months cruising the ICW and Chesapeake Bay, I’d like to provide some navigation information for getting to the Ft. McAllister Marina on the Ogeechee River. It’s a relatively easy trip from ATON #96 until you get about 2 miles from the marina – then you need some local info or the waypoints I’ve provided here.As far as the river is concerned, intially hug the left bank (follow the green) and avoid the center just beyond the departure from the ICW, then in the charted 10 foot tongue cut across to the right side and hug the shore with the greens to port all the way to the first waypoint. Then cut back to the left side to the second waypoint. Then hug the shore again all the way to the marina. Water depths along the shore will run anywhere from 12-18 feet at MLW. Crossing between the waypoints at MLW you might see 7 feet. Tide runs about 8 feet, so if you’re concerned about the depth wait until mid-tide or higher. Don’t be afraid of getting too close to either shore – 50 to 100 yards is about right!Here are the two waypoints you’ll need: first (on the right bank) 31-54.1759N/081-11.2374W (31°54.1759N / 081°11.2374W, 31.902932 / -81.187290) then cut to this one on the left bank 31-53.7890N/081-11.3404 (31°53.7890N / 081°11.3404W, 31.896483 / -81.189007) (NOTE THE DEGREES ARE IN DEGREES AND MINUTES). You shouldn’t have any trouble if you use these waypoints to get back on the marina side of the Ogeechee.Avoid the stakes in the water near the marina – they mark a shallow area. There may be a red and green ball in the water where you cut across, but you can’t count on them being there or in the correct location. If you have any concerns call the marina by phone and they’ll find someone to guide you in when they can see you.It’s worth the trip!Bob McLeran & Judy Young

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Fort McAllister Marina

On 9/22/09, as part of a “Georgia Wish List,” I posed the following question:

20. We have had a few reports of shoaling on the “Creighton Narrows” section of the Georgia AICW (near Statue Mile 642). Has anyone noted less than normal soundings while cruising through?

Responses follow:

We came through the Front River/ Creighton Narrows an hour before low tide and got low soundings in two places:
mile 641 just after the bend to the southwest was 6.3 feet with 1.6 feet of tide according to my chartplotter tide graph. That would be in the 4.7 ft range at dead low.
Between marker 155 and 155A we also got soundings of 6.2 feet which would be 4.6 feet at low tide. I stayed right on the magenta line. I’m glad we had the extra 1 1/2 foot though we draw only 3.5 Ft.
Jean Thomason

I must admit that I’ve never had the good fortune to go ashore at Sapeli Island, but after reading Captain Thomason’s account below, it certainly sounds worth the effort.

I don’t have the benefit of having your new SC/GA Guide but if you haven’t included it already, you might share some information about visiting Sapelo Island. In order to visit, one must have a legitimate reason such as going on a tour, knowing someone on the island, being a guest of the Marine Institute etc. There are regularly scheduled tours through the Sapelo Island Visitors Center (tel: 912-437-3224) but they are only once or twice a week and one must take the ferry to get to the island ($10 for the ferry- don’t know if there’s a charge for the tour). However, the Visitor’s Center will provide names and numbers for some local guides who for fees ranging from $15 to $50 per person, will meet boaters at Marsh Landing and take them on a tour. Big boats can’t be brought to the dock, but it is OK to tie up a dinghy there and anchor the big boat in the Duplin River. We have arranged for a tour tomorrow for $25 per person (a reasonable fee for a three hour or so tour and it gives work to local residents) and will let you know how it goes. The ferry schedule can be found on line at http://www.sapeloislandgeorgia.org/ferry.html . It leaves from Meridian near the visitor’s center.
There is lots of other information on line about what to see; just google Sapelo Island, GA.
We have anchored on the Duplin River before, usually next to the higher ground of Little Sapelo Island but this time we are just north of the ferry dock. There is little breeze and lots of no-see-ums!
That’s it for today. Coming up is the Little Mud River so I’ll give you an update on that later (we won’t do that at low tide- been there, done that!
Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE)

To continue our report on visiting Sapelo Island. We had a good tour with Fran Drayton who lives on the island in Hog Hammock. She picked us and five others (who came on the ferry) up in her van. There was no problem with leaving our dinghy at the small floating dock at Marsh Landing. The tours run by the DNR are Wednesdays and Saturdays and definitely require advanced reservation through the Visitor’s Center and one must take the ferry from Meridian. I asked the DNR guide if there was any place to anchor a boat near the ferry dock in Meridian – he thought not, but mentioned a marina near there where one could dock. The Visitor’s Center would probably know. In the afternoon we took the dinghy up Barn Creek to Post Office Creek where the community dock is. If one had a local contact on the island, this might be another place to leave a dinghy.
All for now-
Jean Thomason, DOVEKIE

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Anchorage Directory Listing For Duplin River

Brunswick Landing Marina is located within walking distance of downtown Brunswick, where you will find several good dining choices like the one described below.

Just had a GREAT meal at Cargo Portside in Brunswick GA. Don’t miss this one when in the area. A reasonable walk from the [Brunswick Landing] marina.
Ed Potter
“Alfie”

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Brunswick Landing Marina