South Harbor Village Marina guards the Waterway’s northern shoreline, a short hop west of unlighted daybeacon #8, and not far from the mouth of the Cape Fear River.

Have always loved this marina. It’s great if you have dogs who want a good walk as it’s near a terrific park ‘“ Dutchman Creek Park. The deli/market is all deli only selling gift items & luncheon meats & cheeses. Not really a market. The `new’ restaurant `deadend saloon’ was terrible. Just bar food mostly & not very good. My $10 salad (without meat) had a good amount of rotted lettuce. I told the waitress & she said, `oh.’ No offer for a substitute or price reduction. My rail Margarita was $8.50 & hubby’s rail martini was warm & $7! Pricey drinks, mediocre food & fair service make this place a `do not return.’
Captain Linda Hughes

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For South Harbor Village Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of South Harbor Village Marina

Cloud IX continues its Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway journey southward through North Carolina from Oriental to Southport.

Due to the limited number of anchorages, we have spent the last few nights in marinas, at Oriental Marina (recommend) and last night in South Harbour Village Marina (recommend). Today, we decided to take a down day and do a bit of maintenance, laundry, grocery, etc. The only thing that keeps South HVM from rating five stars is the lack of a courtesy car. It cost me $28 in taxi fare to get to Wally World for groceries and to a replacement for the coffee pot that went bellyup this morning. More to come as we continue South.
Captain Donnie Young aboard Cloud IX

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Oriental Marina

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For South Harbour Village Marina

Ocean Isle Marina, formerly Pelican Point Marina, 2000 Sommersett Road SW, in Ocean Isle, NC, is seven statute miles north of the NC/SC state line and can be reached at 910-579-6440.

Ocean Isle Marina (old Pelican Point Marina – same phone #) at MM 336 (Marker 98) has done some dredging and we had 6′ inside the slips. Nice docks and they are still adding and making their facilities better. Nice folks too. BOATUS, but still a little pricey at $1.75. Room for about 6 transients.
John and Sue Winter aboard Just Relax

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ocean Isle Marina

nbv

How nice it is to get that valuable “local information” from a resident of Southport. Free dockage is always welcome news and, from Robert’s description of their 4th of July celebration, the town certainly knows not only how to open its arms to visitors, but how to keep them entertained as well.

As one who has lived in Southport for the past 38 years, and as the Harbor Host for this area, I think that it would be a loss if you did not stop and visit Southport. We have a beautiful little town, with oak tree lined streets, restaurants, shops, a maritime museum, pirate history, civil war history, great boating, golf, tennis, fishing, sailing, great marinas, and, most of all, great people. I will agree that my opinion may be a little biased however.
In my response to you two days ago I failed to mention that there is some free dockage on a first come basis in the Old Yacht Basin just east of the Southport Marina. This free dockage is well explained in Skipper Bob’s. One of the choices is a fixed t-head that the City of Southport supplies in this basin, which is in front of our house. Just room for one boat, with 15 amp. power and water. You could run the generator for AC, but again, on first come basis.
Our town is a little crowded this weekend. Southport is the host for North Carolina’s Fourth of July Celebration annually. On the weekend of the 4th we go from 2500 residents to approx. 40,000 residents and tourists for the 3 day event. The celebration concludes tomorrow, Monday, with a parade, fireworks, crafts, food, etc. You have already missed the sailboat regatta, which was yesterday.
Robert & Kay

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Southport Marina

Captain John gives us a snapshot review (especially re dining) of three marinas in the Southport, NC area. South Harbour Village Marina at statute mile 311, Southport Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! at statute mile 309 and St. James Plantation Marina at statute mile 315.

1. South Harbour Village Marina has one of the best Italian bistro’s [in town] I have ever visited. But it is not walking distance to town which is really no big loss.
2. Southport Marina is closer to town within walking distance and is also a great place. There are a few good eateries in town.
3. If you like golf and total protection from the busy ICW try St. James Plantation Marina just south of Southport proper. All are really nice, you can’t really go wrong.
Safe travels,
John M. Beaver aboard
Forget About It 3

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Southport Marina

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For South Harbor Marina

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For St. James Plantation Marina

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Lightkeepers Marina

We have to assume that an earlier mention of “rock” near the AICW/Calabash Creek intersection was that good old hard packed sand free of soft mud. However, that does not mean that Waterway shoaling along this stretch is still not a concern. Keep in mind that with a 4-5 tidal range, 9 feet at high tide can become 4 feet at low tide. Let Slow and Easy be your mantra as you pass through these problem areas.

Don’t know where the mystery rock is (not too many in SC’¦) but I came thru today, 5/26/10 with a 6 1/4 draft, just after high tide and found plenty of water on the ICW line. Lowest reading was 9′ MLW’¦the key is to stay on the ICW centerline and not stray off. Like everywhere else!
Captain Pascal

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the “Alert” Section of the AICW/Little River Inlet/Calabash Creek Intersection

Well, you can’t go by me in any discussion of Southport, as I spent many a boyhood summer here, whiling away the hours along the old harbor waterfront, crabbing under the docks, and fishing the Frying Pan Shoals offshore. I love this place. And, let’s not forget, Southport Marina is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

We were there on 3/19/2010. Nice people and facilities. Spent a good bit of time walking around town and have never seen any town where every house was is supurb condition. They take a lot of pride in their town!
Also, check out their maritime museum.
Don’t think there is a real great restaurant around. We did eat at Loco Jo’s which is where it seems everyone gathers after work for a drink. Their fresh fish was well prepared, but the place is nothing fancy
Sykes
SV Aquarius

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Southport Marina

Sounds like things are really looking up at this facility, located directly off the AICW, south of Southport. The last I heard, there was no restaurant here, and no provisioning either. Has anyone else had good luck at St. James Plantation?

I can’t believe I’ve never stopped here before. We heard about St. James from several friends and had to try it ourselves. All I can say is that this place is not to be missed by cruisers. At $1.05 per foot and a great restaurant, grocery store/deli, easy access fuel dock and very helpful staff ‘¦’¦ it’s a steal !!!!! We will stay here for sure on our trip back north and hope to be able to enjoy the Tiki bar in warmer weather.
s/v twomorrows
Larry Morrow

St. James Plantation “IS” a very nice stop. Great walking all over the roads next to the marina and viewing the beautiful homes. Four 18 hole Golf Courses right on the property.
We stayed there in late Nov for a week then left for home for the month of Dec. Arrived back after New Years 2010 and headed for FL. Very secure place to leave a boat, and great monthly rates.
Bob Wilkins
Ocean Rose
KK 44

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For St. James Plantation Marina

Of course I’m a little prejudiced as I spent a good part of my boyhood living aboard my parent’s boat in old Southport Harbor, but I still think this community is one of the most delightful ports of call from Maine to Key West. And, let’s not forget, Southport Marina is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

Subject: South Port, NC
Cruising News: This is definitely a town to not by-pass. We’ve been in a slip in the marina for a few days. The last time we were here was at least 7 years ago and it was definitely nothing to write home about. The transformations are amazing. A great amount of creativity and detail went into the planning of the entire layout! We continue to exclaim to each other about how beautiful and inviting it is.
Now for the restaurants! We live to eat, unfortunately—not eat to live! This morning we had breakfast at PJ’s, just across the street. The food and service were great. It’s a very popular place and there was a continual stream of patrons coming in for brunch. Last night we’d planned to go to the Provision Company but the wind died down and the mosquitos, the size of hummingbirds, were attacking in droves so we opted for inside seating at Fishy Fishy! Bill had Fish and Chips, I had the BEST Shrimp and Grits I’ve ever had, and we both had wine for under $30!!!
We’ve ridden our bikes all over this town (which doesn’t take long) and there are so many cute shops, antique stores, cafes and bars–and a Super WalMart is a mere 2 miles up the main drag.
Plan a stop in Southport. “You’ll be glad you did!!!”
Laura Lane Bender

There is also free (24hr) overnight dockage on the city dock….fyi w/15 amp
Bill & Ana Feller
Knot Tide Down

The marina was fine, but we also went to Fishy Fishy after reading the comment above, and if that was the only shrimp and grits I ever had in my life, I would never have them again. Shrimp was almost raw, sauce was so much not to my liking that I left half my dinner. It will be hard to convince either of us to eat out again for awhile.
Beverly Feiges

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

I have such fond, fond memories of Southport, living aboard my parents boat here during summers for several years in the 1960’s. Those were good, broad days!
Southport Marina now pretty much has a corner on the market for transient dockage within easy walking distance of the downtown business district. Looks like Captain LuAnne also had a good experience with the staff. And, that’s only to be expected as Southport Marina is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!!!

8-14-09 stayed at Southport Marina on the fuel dock. Scott was the attending dockmaster. Very informative, courteous and capable with the lines. The boat rolled a bit from the busy ICW. Only stayed one night, but had a fabulous seared yellow fin tuna sandwich at the Provision Company.
LuAnne Woods

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

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

63. It is also possible to break off to the north near marker #8, and anchor on the `cooling canal’ which is used by the nearby nuclear power plant. Over the years, I’ve had varying reports about depths entering this anchorage. Who has dropped their hook on the cooling canal? Did you note any shallower depths on the way upstream?

Responses follow:

I stayed in the “Canal” – got caught in a 60 mph TS which beached 4 boats and lightning punched 4 holes in a nearby catamaran hull which took a bit of fixing to get them to a boatyard for urgent repair. It was a wikd evening! The bottom is slippy and very hard to get a reliable mooring. On the other hand it is a nice spot adjacent to a park with toilets and a good dinghy landing. The Ace Harware not far away is special in that it carries many marine parts – I managed to get a water pump impeller for my Yanmar diesel there
Best wishes
Arnold Parkinson
The British Club Worldwide
www.britishclubworldwide.com

St. James Plantation Marina is located directly off the AICW, south of Southport, NC. I’m glad that Captains John and Gail had a good experience here, but there is a much earlier posting here on the Net’s “North Carolina” section which relates a different experience.

We are just leaving St. James and want to pass on a good review, very nice stop, great biking, diesel $2.20 (including all taxes) dockage $1.05/ft with Boat US discount.
John & Gail Thomassen
Our Time

As you mention it is a really nice stop, very reasonable for the area but not much of a provisioning stop unless you get a rental car.
Theresa Valentine
m/v Lauren Grace
currently on Lake Barkley

Click Here For More Information On St. James Plantation Marina

Here’s some good news about Southport Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR). The “ferry” referred to below in Captain Chris’ message, is the vessel that takes visitors to Baldhead Island. Interestingly enough, the ferry used to depart from Cape Fear River, and then some years ago its berth was move to Indigo Plantation, just west of Southport. Now, it looks as if the ferry is returning to its original port.
Personally, I’ve never had problems with wake from the ferry while staying at Southport Marina, but the absence of these man-made waves certainly can’t hurt. As Captain Chris notes, an already fine facility, will be made even better.

Subject: Southport Marina
Cruising News: Good News. The Ferries passing this marina and turning the face dock into a (not so) thrill ride all night long are moving to a new terminal. Within the next 30 days they will no longer operate from Indigo Plantation. The new terminal is up the Cape Fear River. This will make Southport Marina an even better place to stay.
Chris Waln

Click Here For More Information On Southport Marina

Just goes to show how much I know. I had no idea that Southport had a "city dock." Well, wherever it might be, Captain Bob reports below that depths here are now quite shallow.