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Please Note That Postings Below From Fellow Cruisers Are Listed in Chronological Order, Based on Publication Date
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During Mardi Gras or anytime be sure to stay at St Marys Intracoastal Gateway Marina, a CRUISERS NET SPONSOR!
KINGSLAND: FEBRUARY 6 & 7, 2026
ST. MARYS: FEBRUARY 15 & 17, 2026
Let the Good Times Roll in St. Marys and Kingsland with a free concert with a nationally recognized artist (Collin Raye played in 2025), pirates, a family day, and a nighttime illuminated parade and concert.
When you think of Mardi Gras, your mind might drift to the spirited streets of New Orleans, but there’s another area where the spirit of Mardi Gras comes alive in a uniquely Southern way—Camden County, Georgia. Less than an hour north of Jacksonville, Florida, situated along the scenic southeastern coast, Camden County is home to two charming cities, Kingsland and St. Marys, that are both pulling out all the stops to deliver a memorable Mardi Gras experience. Here, you’ll find lively parades and toe-tapping concerts alongside family-friendly festivities and dazzling evening events, so consider this your invitation to join in on the celebration.
Kingsland Kicks Off the Festivities February 6 & 7, 2026
The Mardi Gras magic commences in Kingsland, just fifteen minutes from downtown St. Marys, with the K-BAY Mardi Gras Festival. On Friday, the festival kicks off with live music from 6-10 PM setting the tone for a weekend filled with rhythm and revelry. Saturday then ramps up the excitement with a full day of activities beginning at 9 AM, including the Mardi Gras Parade at 10 AM, where the streets are filled with camaraderie and cheer. Post-parade, the festival grounds come alive with creative vendors, unique crafts, fantastic festival food, and free concerts. The evening culminates with a performance by a chart-topping music legend at 6 PM promising a night of unforgettable entertainment. For Kingsland parade applications, vendor inquiries, or more information, visit the K-BAY Festival website here or call 912-729-6000.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2026
St. Marys Takes Center Stage for Family-Friendly Fun with the St. Marys Mardi Gras Jubilee at the St. Marys Waterfront Park on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
The St. Marys Mardi Gras Jubilee, held from 1-4 PM at the St. Marys Waterfront Park (201 St. Marys Street, St. Marys, Georgia 31558; 912-882-4000), is designed to delight visitors of all ages. Kids will be in heaven with a Kids Court featuring a Lucky Ducks game, football toss, Mardi Gras mask making station, Connect Four, Wheel of Fortune, Plinko, and face painting. The St. Marys Pirates Buccaneer Fun Zone will host Chuck-a-Duck, “Reel” fishing, and Ring Around the Sword games and kids can learn how to talk like a pirate and get to walk the plank. Other activities include miniature golf putting greens and bounce houses and an interactive golf experience.
It will be a carnival-like atmosphere where laughter and joy are guaranteed. Meanwhile, parents can relax and enjoy a lively DJ who will keep the energy elevated throughout the afternoon. What is a Mardi Gras Jubilee without king cake? Indulge in this traditional treat alongside a variety of delicious meal and dessert food trucks. The waterfront setting creates a gorgeous backdrop to the festivities, making it the perfect spot to unwind and soak in the Mardi Gras spirit.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026
Fat Tuesday Fest in downtown St. Marys.
Fast forward to Fat Tuesday where, as the sun sets, the celebration continues with Fat Tuesday Fest – an Illuminated Parade & Party in the Park on Tuesday, February 17th. The evening kicks off at 6:30 PM with an illuminated parade that will light up the streets of St. Marys. The parade will start at Church Street and end at the waterfront park. Following the parade, the party moves to the park for a 7:30 – 9PM concert. This is your night to glow, sparkle, and be flashy! For St. Marys parade applications, to vote for your favorite decorations, or more information, go to www.visitstmarys.com or call 912-882-4000.
A Citywide Celebration of Mardi Gras Magic
The Mardi Gras spirit isn’t confined to the events. In fact, it’s alive all-around town! St. Marys is hosting a citywide Mardi Gras window and porch decorating contest, encouraging residents and businesses to showcase their creativity and festive flair. Take a stroll through the charming streets and admire colorful displays that add to the celebratory atmosphere. Use the QR displayed in the window to vote for your favorite. More to come on this later!
Plan Your Mardi Gras Getaway to Camden County
Camden County, Georgia, is the ideal destination for a Mardi Gras celebration that combines tradition, family fun, and Southern hospitality. Whether you’re dancing to live music in Kingsland, reveling in waterfront festivities in St. Marys, or simply soaking in the jubilant decorations around town, you’ll find that this corner of Georgia knows how to throw a party.
Start planning your Mardi Gras getaway today and be sure to stay current on local events, accommodations, attractions by checking out www.visitstmarys.com Bring some beads so you’ll be ready to experience an authentic Camden County Mardi Gras. As the French say, Laissez les bons temps rouler—let the good times roll!
Mardi Gras Celebrations in St. Marys!
During Mardi Gras or anytime be sure to stay at St Marys Intracoastal Gateway Marina, a CRUISERS NET SPONSOR!
Longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR and named “Best of Savannah” in 2022, TGP Isle of Hope Marina lies along the northwestern shores of the Waterway in the body of a hairpin turn northwest of ICW marker 46A.
Click Here To View the Cruisers Net Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Isle of Hope Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Isle of Hope Marina
Photo taken for promotion, the 1st two boats as customers, Rhombus and Unstoppable! Neat!
North Atlantic right whales are in peril. Ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear have spurred a population decline that may lead to extinction in ~20 years.
JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. – According to the whale mapping website whalemap.org, the first right whale sighting of the year was Friday, November 30 off Jekyll Island.
The sighting was of a female right whale, no calf was seen. Another sighting was made south of Jekyll Island Tuesday, December 6.
News4Jax
Click here for First right whale sighting of the year off Jekyll Island
Whalemap.org
There are five cuts in the Satilla River basin, including the often used Umbrella Cut, an alternate route for ICW cruisers. This estuary restoration does not include Umbrella Cut or the Floyd Creek Cut. See Umbrella Cut.
Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program helps fund coastal estuary restoration
GADNR – Coastal Resources Division
The choppy water problem while running the AICW’s passage across Georgia’s St. Andrew Sound results from the Waterway’s passage practically out into the briny blue, in order to clear Horseshoe Shoal, which occupies the Sound’s mid-width. Recognizing the potential for very dusty crossing here, the US Army Corps of Engineers has provided an alternate route, known as Umbrella Cut, BUT low water depths on this alternate passage can run as thin as 4 1/2 feet.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Northern End of Umbrella Cut
Image Courtesy of Jim and Peg Healy
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division is hosting a Climate Conference on August 12-13, 2021 at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. The theme for this conference is Minimizing Georgia’s Risk, Maximizing Georgia’s Future.
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St. Marys, Georgia originally began as a town established by the British in 1787. After St. Augustine, Florida, St. Marys is the second-oldest continually inhabited city in the U.S.
Exploring St. Marys, Georgia’s Historic Seaside Community
Forbes
Spaceport Camden is a proposal to build a rocket launch facility in Camden County, Georgia. If you oppose the proposed SpacePort, you can sign an online petition below, via the Sierra Club. Our thanks to Ted Arisaka of Save Georgia’s Anchorages for sharing this site. See Proposed Spaceport.
Click here for petition STOP The Camden County Spaceport Project!
Sierra Club
Rocket launches will require monthly closures of St. Andrews Sound, Christmas Creek, offshore waters, and the Intracoastal Waterway. We won’t be able to fish, crab, shrimp or boat around Cumberland Island. If a launch is scrubbed, the closures will extend for days.
Contact the DNR to oppose Camden spaceport. It’s not consistent with Georgia’s Coastal Zone Management. Send your comments by March 8, 2021, to Diana Taylor, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or CRD.Comments@dnr.ga.gov.
Camden’s spaceport will close our waterways
Brunswick News
Our thanks to Fred Braman for this excellent report and chart from Cumberland Island. Cumberland Island National Seashore is a National Park on the east shore of the Waterway’s passage through Cumberland Sound south of Jekyll Island. There are only dinghy docks on the island, which extends over 16 NM from St. Andrew Sound to the Georgia State Line. The Park’s website is https://www.nps.gov/cuis/index.htm. Anchorages may be restricted by Georgia legislation.
Just a note that may be of interest. I visited Cumberland Island last week. The island is as delightful as ever. Only open to private boaters who can get there. Dinghy docks are open at Sea Camp anchorage as are rest rooms and showers in the camping area. No ferries are operating and tour boats are prohibited. The Ranger Station is closed as are attractions like the Ice House Museum and Plum Orchard tours. But the beaches and trails are open, mostly why we go to this delightful place anyway. Happy to answer emailed questions at fredbraman@hotmail.com.
Here is a chart for the Cumberland Sea Camp anchorage. Note that on older chart packs and chart plotters (like mine), Red 34 is Red 40. This series of markers were renumbered years ago. As soon as you turn inside Red 34, look for a shoal marker to port heading in. It marks a sandbar that comes off the tip of the island to the north. Once you spot it, give it plenty of room to port and pick up the first dock complex on shore near a little white building. That’s Dungeness Dock. Head right for it and once near it, follow the shore up to Sea Camp. Don’t wander too far from Cumberland’s shore. There is a sandbar to the west of the main anchorage area. If it starts to get too shallow for comfort, turn towards the island where the deep water is. It sounds more complicated than it is. It’s really straight forward. Plenty of room for dozens of boats. I try to anchor a little to the north of Sea Camp Dock where it gets a little shallower. Depths in most places around 18 ft. Hope this helps.
Fred Braman
Photo by Sonny Reeves
Historic Jekyll Island is home to Jekyll Harbor Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, lying along the easterly banks of the AICW passage through Jekyll Creek, immediately south of the 65-foot fixed bridge. See More Praise.
Jekyll Island, Georgia Is Where You Can Get a Taste of Gilded Age Glory
Yahoo Lifestyle
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jekyll Harbor Marina
A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Jekyll Harbor Marina lies along the easterly banks of the AICW’s passage through Jekyll Creek, immediately south of the 65-foot fixed bridge. Our thanks to Richard Houyoux for these good words for Jekyll Harbor Marina.
Stopped in for a couple of days while transiting north in January, 2020. Can’t say enough fine words for the cooperation and friendliness of the staff while servicing this newbie cruiser. Completely met all our needs and provided excellent advice. Adjoining restaurant offers fine fresh fish and burgers. Be sure to check in with Jamey if you want rides into town. Otherwise, Uber is available.
Richard Houyoux
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jekyll Harbor Marina
Our thanks to Bill Weeks of Jekyll Harbor Marina, A Cruisers Net Sponsor, for this critical Local Knowledge regarding safe passage of this ICW Problem Stretch.
Jekyll Creek was dredged last spring. The catch is, that only half of the 150’ channel width was dredged. The COE did a 75’ swath from the centerline of the channel to the EASTERN edge. In this part of the creek you will have 10 feet at mean low water. Boaters should be advised in transiting this part of the ICW that they should stay to the seaward side of the centerline. otherwise they will be in very shallow water even though their chart plotted sales they are in the “channel”. Anyway you guys could help get this word out? As you say, the sailboaters are still coming in good numbers, and this knowledge is very critical to them.
Many thanks and best regards,
Bill Weeks
Jekyll Harbor Marina
Click Here To View the Cruisers Net AICW Problem Stretches Listing For Jekyll Creek
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Several route options to navigate St Andrew Sound, especially in foul weather, have been posted on Cruisers Net. Type St Andrew Sound in our Homepage Search window for those reports. Experienced cruisers and frequent Cruisers Net contributors Jim and Peg Healy share their ships log and navigation watches as M/V Sanctuary travels south on the FL/GA Waterway. Thank you Jim and Peg!
Transited St Andrews Sound yesterday March 16. NE wind 20 to 25 knots. I followed the ICW route, it became terribly rough. Steep four to six foot waves with a period of 2 to 3 seconds. In a 31 foot sailboat it was nerve wracking. So of course today I see the alternate route. Lesson learned, check Cruisers Net and Bob 423.
I believe the correct link for Bob423 tracks and routes is at: http://bobicw.blogspot.com/
You meant fleetwing.blogpot.com
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