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