I’m glad Captain Chris had such a good experience at River Forest Marina. Perhaps things are looking up for this facility

We stayed here for one night and I’m very impressed with their customer service. On the phone, they were great. Then they had an incredibly well marked channel into their marina. The dockmaster was one of the nicest people I’ve met along the way, and at dinner the owner stopped by our table to thank us for staying here. The docks themselves are nothing to write home about, but if they aren’t floating there’s not much of a difference in pilings to me. The bathrooms aren’t bad. There are two, each one private, each one with a shower and head, and lots of room. The restaurant was good enough, with a decent selection, and it’s nice to have one onsite. They also have free golf carts you can borrow to head to town, including a six person cart. The pool is small but clean. We didn’t use the laundry facilities. We never saw anything less than 8.5ft of water.
Chris
S/V Pelican

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For River Forest Manor Marina

Yes indeed, Belhaven is, in my humble opinion, a fine stop on the AICW, and with Brenda and Les, waiting to greet cruisers at Belhaven Waterway Marina, (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR), you be be assured of a warm and knowledgable welcome. If you’re not as luck as to run into a special community dinner, check out the adjacent firms, “Wine and Words” and “Back Bay Cafe.”

The USCG annouced warnings for tropical storm Cristobal, so we decided to stop over at Bellhaven. This turn out to be a great decision because they were having there annual “Pirates on the Pungo” Festivities. We went into town and enjoyed a wonderful seafood buffet in support of the local hospital. We were then entertained by the Craig Woolard band. Beach music at its best. We ended up walking back to the marina late that night. It was great walking through that old town. We reminised about our almost 30 day trip, 650 miles logged.
Clif & Peta Lewis
s/v Immanuel

We agree. Very warm and hospitable folks. We arrived on Wednesday so Gerogies was closed. Darn!
Dave on GB 46 At Last

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Belhaven Waterway Marina

The entrance to Little Alligator River, lies along its larger sister’s western banks, north of Alligator River Marina and Bridge. I really like this little anchor down spot, but the entrance channel is entirely unmarked. The use of a GPS chartplotter while entering this haven would be a very good idea indeed.

Spent the night on the hook in Little Alligator River, behind Sandy Point (St M 81). Anchorage; easy to get in, plenty of water and all to ourselves, but wind switched hard out of NE in early AM and got messy in there. Our fault for not heeding forecasted front.
John Thayer
M/V Anna Suzanne

Click Here For More Information Concerning the Little Alligator River Anchorage

On 7/23/07, as part of a “North Carolina Wish List,” I posed the following question:

23. Moving farther to the south, on the AICW, the Waterway enters the northern portion of the Pungo River, west of the high-rise Wilkerson Bridge. We have always found superb anchorage on the northernmost section of the Pungo, bypassed by the AICW. Anyone else dropped the hook here lately? Did you have a good experience?

Responses follow:

Pungo River we have stopped every year since 2006 including 7/23/2009. We just clear the channel if calm or go up farther is windy.
Wright and Gladys Anderson
First & Ten

Click Here For More Information Concerning Upper Pungo River Anchorages

On 7/23/09, as part of a “North Carolina Wish List,” I posed the following question:

25. The delightful community of Belhaven will be spotted to the northwest of the Waterway, hard by marker #10 (near Statute Mile 135.5). Here you will find two marinas, River Forest Manor, and Belhaven Waterway Marina (a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR). Can anyone describe a recent experience when staying at River Forest? Those who have coiled their lines at Belhaven Waterway Marina have had, I’ll bet, a great experience. Those who have stayed here with Brenda and Les recently, please tell us about your stay!

Responses follow:

We stayed at River Forest Manor. The staff were friendly and helpful. The marina is in serious need of a facelift. The shower facilities were relatively clean. On a scale from 1-10 with 10 being able to eat off the floor I would give it a 6.5 or 7.
It needs updating.
The laundry room was more like a 3 but while the machines that worked were old, they are the big commercial type and I was able to throw all of my cockpit pillows/cushions in them………huge capacity.
The restaurant was pretty good. The pool is small but clean. The marina is dog friendly. Pumpout was broken.
We will probably stay at Dowry Creek on the way back.

Belhaven [Waterway] Marina is a great spot and a MUCH better place to stay the night than River Forest. As charming as the `big house’ and restaurant appear to be at River Forest, the docks are old and in need of repair, the fuel is questionable coming from old and rusting above ground tanks, the head facilities are not the greatest and the food at the `inn’ is sub-par to say the least. Stay at Belhaven Marina ‘“ easy docking, good folks, nice facilities, great little Tiki bar and you can walk into town or ride a bike and enjoy a nice dinner there.
Pete

[Belhaven Waterway Marina is] One of our favorite stops – spring and fall. Les & Brenda will help with whatever the problem is. Les is a very good mechanic, and they have a railway in the yard to handle larger boats for repairs/maintenance.
We do enjoy Belhaven and have to have a Farm Boy sandwich! Don’t miss the museum – you won’t find another like it.
Hardware store is well-stocked and has a good gift area too.
Linda & Ed Thorn

Click Here For More Information About River Forest Manor Marina

Click Here For More Information About Belhaven Waterway Marina

On 7/23/09, as part of a “North Carolina Wish List,” I posed the following question:

26. Just south of Belhaven and Pantego Creek, Pungo Creek offers superb anchorage. Anyone dropped the hook here recently?

Responses follow:

Excellent anchorage, even when wind is from the east. You can find a place to snuggle up to the windward shoreline for protection from any direction.
Rick

Click Here For More Information on the Pungo Creek Anchorage

On 7/23/09, as part of a “North Carolina Wish List, I posed the following question:

24. Dowry Creek Marina guards the northern shores of the AICW/Pungo River hard by marker #15. This facility has an unfailing reputation for friendliness. If you have stopped here within the last year, please describe your experience.

Responses follow:

We were at this marina in 2008. Very nice people. Loaner car available. Great, great, great boaters lounge and pool. The photos they have in the lounge of the hurricane that hit NC a few years back really ripped up their docks, so the message was clear……..don’t get caught there in strong SE winds. We planned to stay one night and ended up enjoying the place so much we stayed for 3 nights just because it was so relaxing.
Rick

I stopped at Dowry Creek Marina once on the way south last November and again on the way north in late April and early May. I stayed two days in November and a week on the way back in April and May. This is a truly great marina and a great place to relax for a couple of days. Mary, the owner, will let you use the marina’s SUV to go to town and stock up on supplies and visit the local restaurants. All she asks in exchange is that you put gas in the vehicle. Dowry Creek Marina has wonderful bathrooms. Each bathroom is complete with its own commode, sink and shower. No gang showers and slippery floors. They are also kept spotlessly clean. Friday night the marina hosts a get together with light snacks and drinks.
The marina is extremely well protected. The approach to the marina is clearly marked and had 8′ at MLW plus the marina has around 8′ at MLW. I’m 47′ LOA with a 6′ DRAFT and the marina is very easy to get in to, out of and visit the fuel dock. Dowry Creek has diesel, gasoline and a pump-out station at their fuel dock. They do enough volume to maintain fresh fuel. There are plenty of liveaboards, seasonal renters and dockhands to help you get into your slip anytime of the day or night. Due to severe head winds and thunderstorms I was late getting to Dowry Creek in April. I called the marina and told them that I could not make it there by 6:00pm and it would be closer to 7:30pm. They told me that would be fine and had four people at the slip when I got there around 8:00pm in the dark. They helped handle my lines in a 20 knot crosswind. That was much appreciated. The marina is also very pet friendly.
As a bonus I caught the largest Speckled Trout of my life fishing from the bow of my boat while in the slip.
I recommend this marina without hesitation.
Regards,
Ric Seymour

We’d heard so many positive things about Dowry Creek Marina that we stopped there mid-July 2009 for 1 night. Mary has fresh veggies in a basket on the porch ‘“ours for the taking. We enjoyed the use of the pool, lounge, laundry facility, and courtesy car. It’s a long trip into Belhaven for groceries but a nice, restful stop.
Bill and Laura Bender

Stopped there three times. Last Fall stayed for two days due to weather. A wonderful place to be, so kind and caring. I shared a minute at the site she has for her [late] husband, a Vietnam Vet, and a Marine> I share this moment to reflect, alone with him, and what we shared. He will always be a `Brother In Arms’. May God Bless You Always. You will always be remembered. That is one reason why I return each year.
See you soon’”’”’”’”-
Greg Timko

Click Here For More Information on Dowry Creek Marina

On 7/23/09, as part of a “North Carolina Wish List,” I posed the following question:

22. After cruising south for a some 17 miles the AICW/Alligator River channel turns sharply west near marker #39. Between #39 and the northeastern entrance to the long, Alligator ‘“ Pungo canal, there are multiple place to anchor off Deep Point, Bear Point and Tuckahoe Point. Who has dropped the hook on any of these havens? Please describe what you found.

Responses follow:

We anchored north of G43 in August 2008 and June 2009. Lots of mosquitoes and flies both times, so we used our hatch screens and stayed inside. Not the most protected place we’ve been but better than it looks on the chart.
Rick

The unmarked entry into East and South Lakes, comes up along the AICW’s eastern banks, just as southbound craft enter the northern mouth of Alligator. I really like anchoring here. These waters have a feeling of being long forgotten, ands those who enjoy the feeling that every puff of air, or turn of the screw, carries them a bit farther from the maddening crowd, will love these waters. I do suggest employing a well functioning GPS chartplotter to navigate the entrance channel. As mentioned above, it is unmarked, and surrounded by shallows.

We anchored between the two 8 foot depths off Boranges Point on July 15, 2009. We had about 7.5 feet of depth. Beautiful, remote anchorage with no cell phone (Verizon) or aircard reception. We cruise with a dog, so a place to get ashore is important. Found one along a grassy shore on Boranges Point, near the 3 foot depth mark. Other areas on shore with cypress trees had knees, making a dinghy landing difficult. We were relatively far from shore, but did not try to get closer. As we moved south into South Lake, water depths seemed to fall off sharply, and we stopped going farther south. Our anchorage was at 35-55.813, 75-54.960. We had good holding.
Norman Mason

Click Here For More Information on East and South Lake Anchorages

7/14/09
Deadheads (nauticalese for logs or stakes temporarily anchored to the bottom) can really ruin your whole day on the water, if they make contact with your underwater hardware! Pay close attention to Captain message below. This is just the sort of navigational warning that the Cruisers’ Net excels at getting the word out!

Subject: StM107-121 Deadheads on Alligator River – Pungo River Canal
Cruising News: We traveled through the Alligator River – Pungo River Canal on July 11th and found it littered with deadheads/snags. There is one marked (PA) on the chart – it is in the channel just south of the centre. We also found numerous other logs between mile 107 and 121. Most were between mile 115 and 121 and were all pretty close to the centre of the channel. By the time you get there they may be gone due barges running over them, but be aware for them.
If they haven’t moved, we saw the deadhead logs in the following positions moving Northbound on the ICW:

Obstn PA on chart
Mile 120
35°43.61N 76°19.07W
35°34.68N 76°18.99W
35°34.69N 76°18.57W
35°34.71N 76°18.47W
35°34.92N 76°17.27W
35°34.97N 76°17.00W
35°35.00N 76°16.82W
35°35.07N 76°16.43W
35°35.10N 76°16.29W
35°35.19N 76°15.70W (floating, may not be there now)
Mile 115
35°38.28N 76°09.15W

Geoff
SV Geru

Several large deadheads in ICW around entrance to canal but warned by cruisers in front of us – thanks to them.
John Thayer

The good comments on Dowry Creek Marina, directly off the AICW/Pungo River, a short hop north of Belhaven, keep coming!

While I generally anchor out most of the time, Dowry Creek is a ‘must-stop’ for me. Aside from being one of the friendliest marinas on the AICW, they are well protected . . . . Mary is doing a great job of maintaining the facilities and ambiance that makes Dowry Creek such a great stop. I have left EOS there twice for a month and, in addition to being very reasonable, found that she was very well looked after. An additional plus is that if you need a good mechanic, Capt. Frank Smith is on of the finest around. ….anyone know of a good place north of the 32 parallel?
Bill & Ana
Knot Tide Down

Dowry Creek Marina (MM131) With all due respect to the recent post, this marina is not well protected from the south and south east (also possibly east) as the photos in their scrap book will attest. Other than this, I couldn’t agree more with anyone who praises the facility and people at DCM. It is super friendly, laid back and oh so comfortable. Just watch the forecast and choose another spot if winds are predicted to be strong from the SE quadrant.
Rick Parish
s/v Sea Breeze

Click Here For More Information Concerning Dowry Creek Marina

Dowry Creek Marina is an excellent facility, which I highly recommend.
Another great choice lies just to the south in Belhaven. Belhaven Waterway Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR) can be relied upon for very cruiser friendly services!

Kismet arrived at Dowry Creek Marina @ MM132 on the NC ICW today just in time to beat the high winds. If you have not been before this is a nice place with a friendly staff. The daily rate is $1.50 plus electric, diesel fuel is $1.99 if you stay at the marina and $2.09 if you do not. Gas is $2.38 and $2.48 and they have a courtesy car available for up to 90 minutes.
Jim & Lisa Favors – Kismet
Fathom 40

I agree. We have been to Dowery Creek several times and enjoyed each time. Very friendly people. Nice Captains Lounge, very clean facilities, barbeque and grill area. Our Power Squadron has been there for rendezvous several times.
Rick Johnson
Rick ‘N Roll II

Click Here For More Information On Dowry Creek Marina

Dowry Creek Marina has the reputation as one of the most cruiser friendly marinas on the AICW. Captain Pat’s message below will do nothing to hurt that enviable reputation.

Dowry Creek Marina is my home tonight. Nice facilitises and staff. Not Cable but wifi works great. Captains lounge with nightly get together. They also have courtesy car for trip to Belhaven for food or booze or….Channel depth coming in was between 8 to 10 feet. Docks are fixed with about 15 foot finger piers so some lines will have to be hung on pilings. Southeast to south, souteast is exposed but other directions are protected. They also have a pool and seem to have tennis courts. Chairs and patios for lounging in the sunny weather. Small ships store. Easy in and easy out from ICW.
Take it easy have a nice evening.
Pat Banyas
s/v Marguerite

Click Here For More Information On Dowry Creek Marina