Bay Point Marina is located in Grand Lagoon, just off the Panama City Inlet. This is a FINE facility!
This Marina located in Panama City,Fl. is worth the stop. Great service, excellent layalong docks with a great swiming pool and Deli. Steve the Manager runs an excellent operation, you couldn/t ask for more. Highly recommend.
Ray & Patsy
on the Patsyray
We are in beautiful Port St. Joe. What a great Marina, everyone so friendly and a first class run Marina here! I can see why everyone likes the Port St. Joe Marina. . . After enjoying Port St. Joe I am not sure if we can leave this place. It is very charming
and all the needs for a looper are within walking distance. Lovely place with lovely people.
A Fellow Cruiser
Port St. Joe Marina let us use two nice cruiser bikes this morning and we had a great bike tour of Pt. St. Joe. The homes are charming and the community shows a sense of pride and commitment in keeping things up. A neat memorial and musem to the home of the Floriday Constitution; baseball fields, lovely kept parks with trails and lakes.
There are quite a few neat new business ventures in town, and we tried and enjoyed Mama Joe's for a wonderful salad with fresh greens, artichokes,kalamata olives and garden fresh onions. The pizza was wood fired and a fine renedition with three types of mushroom and cheese and fresh basil. It was a great Sunday brunch meal and a nice young man that has started the place is doing a great job. Neat interior and nice wine and beer bar. Indirect lighting, well decorated with great black and white photographs of the coast artistically hung. Uncluttered and tasty atmosphere and food. Highly recommend.
Looks like Tuesday is our departure headed west, and know Pt.St. Joe will be in our return plans.
Thom and Ouarda
The Black Pearl
It seems as if there is a whole collection of new marinas sprouting up along the ICW, between Pensacola and Mobile Bay. GOOD NEWS for cruisers!
Subject: Barber Marina
Cruising News: A beautiful new marina has just opened at ICW MM 161 which is just east of the entrance into the Alabama Canal. http://barbermarina.com/ Together with The Wharf and Lulu's HomePort marinas this stretch of the ICW offers transient more first rate docking opportunities than any other stretch of the Northern Gulf. Bob Riggs
Bob Riggs
The entrance to Destin Harbor from East Pass inlet has ALWAYS been subject to shoaling. I remember once some years ago when depths got so bad, even local boats could only enter and exit at high tide. From Captain Gordon's note below, looks like we are just about in that state again. If the past is any guide, the harbor entrance will probably be dredged, but, until that happens, enter Destin with the greatest caution!
Subject: Destin Harbor
Cruising News: Cruisers beware of entry to Destin Harbor. The depth around Noriega Point is extremely shallow. Stay close to bridge and don\'t cut the entry short from the South. City is trying to correct, but it won't be soon.
Gordon Fornell
Shields Marina sits in the tiny, but interesting community of St. Marks. By land, it is almost due South of Talahassee, but by water, you must run a long, but extremely well marked channel from the Gulf of Mexico, to the waterfront. This is an excellent facility that more cruisers should use!
Hi:
We are back home for a week or so. Stopped at Shield Marine in St. Marks Fla today. Chuck and his son Brent Shields own the Marina. They have built a new Marine store..Opening in a couple weeks. Bob & I have never seen a such a Magnificate Facility for selling boats and a Marine store combined. The detail especially ..I have no words for this..I gave Chuck Shields you web site and name. You do have them on your site. Cruisers that are doing the Loop..This is the place to stop. We remember Chuck Shields in a small store that has been flooded many times. We kept our 30′ Allures Classic in St. Marks.Claiborne their store blew us away. Chuck took us on a tour..I could not take pictures. As we were leaving the county inspectors came up the elevator for COO. We will get back there for pictures before we leave
Claiborne You know how to Publish the news. I said to Mr. Shield that you Penned all of the cruising Guides
Becky
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For
Deborah Ann has moored at Port St. Joe Marina for the past Month. We wanted to escape the Wisconsin winter and enjoy the warmer weather of the South.
Most of the Loopers have passed this point by now, but for those still heading this way, give Port St. Joe a try. The sign at the harbor entrance says “Port St. Joe Marina, the friendliest marina on the Gulf Coast”. I think it should say “on the Great Loop”. Port St. Joe Marina is owned and operated by the same companies that own and operate Bay Point in Panama City, which also receives high marks.
The staff has been helpful beyond expectations, the locals have been great. When you arrive you will possibly be greeted by Ray Whitney, commodore of Port St. Joe Yacht Club, a wonderful ambassador of the Port St. Joe area. There is a grocery store nearby, sporting goods store, laundry, restaurants, and a nice downtown, all within walking distance.
Winter slip rate is $1.00 per foot per day. Long term transient rates are very attractive. We plan on staying for another month before heading part of the way back north, and hope to see some Loopers that are continuing South.
Jeff DeVries
Deborah Ann
Nordic Tug 37
Subject: Diesel Price
Cruising News: Port St Joe Marina just lowered their price of Diesel to $1.88 gallon. with 10 cent off for boat U.S. and Sea Tow membership.
Ray Whitney
This is a great place to stop and fuel up and provision very friendly staff that arevery helpful. Diesel fuel is $1.88 per gallon with a 10% discount for boat us. Resturant on site as well as well within walking distance like 2 blocks. Grocery store at the gate.
Ed
I copied the question and answer below from the AGLCA list. Captain Jame’s advice sounds spot on to me!
Hello,
The MV lady lee 34′ trawler will be in Apalachicola about Dec 09 & 10, looks like bad weather window for big bend route. What are the best Marina’s to stay at in Apalachicola & Carrabell3.We will need crossing information. We travel at about 7 MPH.
Thanks
Joe & Jamie Schwartzott
34′ trawler Lady Lee
Jamie,
In Carrabelle you have two marina’s I would suggest…either ‘The Moorings’ (850-697-2800) or ‘C-Quarters’ (850-697-8400).? The latter is less expensive, but The Moorings offers more amenities (pool, boaters lounge, etc.), so depends on what you are looking for.
Re: crossing information, “Buddy” at The Moorings can give you good information, and you can call the National Marine Weather service out of Tallahassee (850-942-8833). They welcome calls from mariners making “the crossing” anytime of the day or night, and will give you updated marine WX info based on current & forecasted conditions in addition to what they are broadcasting on the local WX VHF channel.
Tom Jones
Jamie,
We left Carrabelle on Thursday afternoon and arrived in Clearwater on Friday morning. We stayed at the Moorings and one added advantage is they are close to a company called Marine Systems who can help you with any mechanical/electrical problem you have. It is run by Eric Pfeufer and he is on top of most jobs that they take on. Tom Conrad’s weather forcasts are very helpful. Have a safe crossing.
Neil Shaw
Adagio Due GB52
m/v Marbles
Apalachicola: the best marina is Scipio Creek Marina.
Carrabelle: I say the best is The Moorings, (new name Moorings Marina Sea Change).
Many loopers stay at C Quarters then walk to The Moorings for Buddy’s advice on crossing the Gulf.
Alan Lloyd
In Appalachicola, we stayed at the Water Street Hotel Marina. It was
just fine for a one-night stay. Appalachicola Bay is very exposed.
If you plan/need to be there multiple days, perhaps a conventional
marina would be better depending on what you want.
In Carrabelle, we stayed at C-Quarters. It was fine. Cheap. The guys were very welcoming and helpful. Never did met “Buddy,” but met several fishermen who seemed to know those waters pretty well. We left our transit plan with C-Quarters, and they were glad for us to do so. We called when we got to Tarpon Springs to let them know were had arrived safely. Great service for $25 and change.
Peg and Jim Healy, aboard Sanctuary
currently at Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, FL
We were at Scipio Creek marina in Sept. as we had made a short trip over from Panama City. Although the people are nice, I don’t suggest this marina as they are over run with ants. We had to leave our boat for a week and when we came back we were totally infested with them. Were told by the lady who owns the marina that they fight them constantly. No fun. C-quarters in Carrabelle is a better bet.
Many blessings,
Shelley
Hello All, Does anyone have the proper procedure to stay at the Ft. Walton City dock.
Thanks,
Joe & Jamie Schwartzott
MV Lady Lee
You have to check in with the city manager's office before 5:00 pm at 850-833-9500.
Search "Ft. Walton dock" on the forums and you will find several posts about the dock. Perhaps the most helpful is one from Chuck Gorgen on ODYSSEE posted November 27, 2007. In case you have trouble with the search, here is the gist of his post:
"We stopped at the Fort Walton Beach town dock at MM 222.6 on the GICW, 0.4 miles before you get to the bridge, north of R8. There are three usable 45' slips, one 35' slip, and 100' of face dock to tie to, and free water and pump out, in about 6 1/2' of water. There is a city park with a gazebo and an emergency launch ramp. Library is across the street, Publix is less than 2 blocks to the east, and there is a town trolley that operates up and down the main drag. You are required to check in with the city manager before 5:00 PM to get permission and notify the police that you are here. Call
850-833-9500. GREAT STOP!"
It is worth every penny (free)!
Bill
We agree the Ft. Walton dock is super. The only problem we encountered is that if you arrive there on Saturday or Sunday when the town manager's office is closed it isn't quite as simple. We arrived
about a month ago, called the office, and since it was closed we talked to someone else. I'm not sure who, but I thought it was the police. Anyway I was told that only the manager could give
permission. When I asked if we could get permission from someone else since she wasn't there, I was told no. I then asked what would happen if we did and the reply was we would get a ticket. Anyway we stayed, enjoyed the town and left early the next day.
If you'll arrive on the weekend, Try to call on Friday so you don'thave that uncomfortable feeling all night. Enjoy your stay!
Mary
Three of us Loopers (C-Life, Wanderin' L&M, and Bella Luna) stayed at Ft. Walton City Dock on Friday after Thanksgiving. I called the number listed in Skipper Bob, I don't have that number with me, but the police dispatcher answered. I requested permission to stay at the dock and he responded that he would get permission from his Capt. and call me right back. He called back shortly and said permission granted and to have a great evening. Several police cars patrolled the area that evening, and a city worker came down to check the pumpout on Saturday morning, which he said that they do every morning. We had a pleasant stay.
Robert & Kay Creech
I can only add a hearty, “Hear, Hear!”
And don’t forget the sound, the Mississippi Sound. It’s shallow and can be treacherous. Trick is to get on it when it’s settled down after a front al passage and get back off it before another comes through. There are almost no all weather anchorages so it’s either hang out in marinas or get across it quickly.
Regards,
Larry and Teri
Subject: New web site
Cruising News: We would like to announce that Panama City Marina has a new stand alone web site separate from the city. The new site, www.pcmarina.com, has much more information specific to the marina & the local area. We hope this will be helpful to boaters passing through our area. Some areas of it are still under construction but the site is up & running. We welcome any feedback.
Bill Lloyd
Looks like there are at least two excellent choices when it comes time to visit a marina in Gulf Shores, Alabama. For those new to these waters, Gulf Shores lies directly on the path of the Northern Gulf ICW, just east of Mobile Bay.
We have stayed at “Lulu’s Homeport Marina” and “The Wharf ” for the last few nights and found both to be the finest marina facilities we have stayed at thus far. Nice floating docks. Lulu’s has added a bath house and laundry room and Lulu’s restaurant is excellent The Wharf has shopping and a number of good restaurants. Lulu’s was $1.50/ft with BoatsUS discount. The Wharf was $2.00/ft. We had heard that both of these marinas were cost prohibitive. We didn’t find that to be the case and are glad that we did not miss these “jewels”. Both had diesel at $3 a gallon and said it would be dropping into the $2’s soon. PTL
Brad and Patti Salvage
“Salvage Crew”
Staying at The Wharf at Orange Beach AL. Modern floating docks with free wifi, cable and plenty of power. On property modern outside mall with stores, restaurants, bars, and movie theater. Very nice stop.
Always glad to hear of marina expansion plans, particularly on a coastline that is still recovering from hurricane damage!
Subject: Ms Gulf Coast Marinas
Cruising News: Pass Christian Harbor has just recieved 25 million dollars for harbor expansion and there is also a proposed marina being built in Bay St. Louis, Ms. So happy to see the coast coming back!
Russell Traina
If memory serves (which sometimes it does not), there was a much earlier posting here on the Net’s “Northern Gulf” section about the free city dock at Fort Walton Beach. However, the series of messages below are much more detailed than any previously posted here!
Fort Walton Beach City Dock, on the panhandle of Florida, is a free dock. Although there is no electricity, it is a very nice dock, with several fingers. There is room for 8 boats. There is a 24 hour limit and permission is needed from the City Manager to stay, but that is only a phone call (850-833-9500)
There is a Publix very close and a West Marine a little further.
Darrell & Beth Berge
M/V L’Attitude Changer
As i recall only 2 maybe 3 of the docks had 4.5′ to 6 ‘ of water. i believe the outward 2 on the west side were safe.
GEORGE & MIRIAM GRAFER
TIME OUT
George, your memory is correct, water is a little skinney on the east finger docks and those closer to shore. If you find there is still a white water hose coiled at the water faucet, that is mine. After watering up two of us last December, hose was nicely coiled on the dock, and left there, not realising the hose belonged to us.
George and Miriam, we look forward to seeing you in a few days in Beaufort, assume you must be getting close.
Chuck and Claria Gorgen
ODYSSEE, waiting for spring in Rimouski, Quebec
Bay Point Marina lies on the shores of Grand Lagoon, whose entrance channel runs off Panama City inlet. This passage can be just a little tricky.
Bay Point Marina is a fine facility, and I have always been very impressed with its staff and physical plant. Coupled with the equally excellent Panama City Municipal Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR), this community can claim pleasure craft facilities second to none in the Florida Panhandle.
The next stop eastbound that we recommend is Bay Point Marina just west of the ship channel inlet at Panama City. Call Steve Arndt, Harbormaster at 850-628-1740 (he spoke at your Fall Rendezvous), or click on: http://www.baypointmarina.net/index.cfm
Enjoy the Emerald Coast with us!
Dick Hanson
on Souvenir in the FL Panhandle
Baytown Marina at San Destin is found on the southern shores of Choctawhatchee Bay, east of Destin and East Pass., It always interesting to read opinions from other cruisers. In the past, I have only been moderately impressed with this facility, but message is certainly going to cause me to take another look!
The biggest life-changing discovery for us on our Loop in '03 was the FL Panhandle. We're now in our 8th winter at Baytowne Marina, Sandestin, FL (on the south shore of Choctawhatchee Bay, just east of the Mid-Bay Bridge at Destin). Check out the marina (and resort) website:http://www.sandestin.com/golfactivities/marina/tabid/218/Default.aspx. Or call Capn Ron, Dockmaster at 850-428-1016.
Enjoy the Emerald Coast with us!
Dick Hanson
on Souvenir in the FL Panhandle
Mary Walker Marina IS off the beaten path, and has a bit of a backwater feeling. I bet Captain Reggie did raise a few eyebrows in bringing a sailcraft to this marina!
If you want to raise eyebrows, go to Mary Walker Marina in a sailboat! Can be done, crossing the marsh. Makes you pucker if your draft approaches 6 feet.
Really nice people. We were having problems and they were great help. Engine water pump died. Leon knew where to get one. Margaret took me there and back. King's Machine Inc is a full service machine shop and diesel engine shop.
no fuel
no diesel. We needed diesel so Leon "Little Boy " Mendenhall, employed there 43 years, took us for two loads in gerry cans.
all their fuel pumps need to be replaced since hurricanes.
no pumpout.
50 amp electricity at our dock but useless to us since se didn't have a 50to30 adapter and neither did they.
no onsite repair services.
Reggie
The Pearl River acts as the coastal division between the states of Mississippi and Louisiana. It has MANY cruisable miles, and lots of anchorage possibilities. Just watch for barge traffic on the main Pearl River channel coming downstream from the Stennis Space Center.
Tucked in tonight at anchor just east of the CSX Pearl bridge on the Pearl River. Fish are jumpin’, owls are hootin’, beautiful scenery. soft bottom. hooked on third try.8-9 ft of water.
Reggie Good
Wow, even after all this time, the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, as described below by Captain Reggie, is still very much with us.
Services Update [Bioxoi, MS]
Point Cadet. They currently have no landline. You must call cell 228-209-4807. They sign you in out of the back seat of a car. water and fuel available. no electricity or services such as showers, laundry, etc. rehab not started on office building. $1.07/ft and plus tax, of course.
Biloxi Yacht Club docks in ruins. Al emphasis seems to be on completing new gorgeous clubhouse for now. see their website.
Small Craft Harbor not open at this time. supposed to be by nov. its building is also wrecked.
Reggie
Additional info Biloxi
No pump out available point cadet
Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum has docks with transient slip availability. 228-435-6320, ask for Robin
Also found a neat Vietnamese grocery store two blocks north of the Grand Hotel land Casino, and a ships supply company wholesale and retail a block west of the store.
Reggie
I'm sorry Captain Reggie did not realize that his edition of my "Cruising Guide to the Northern Gulf Coast" was written pre-Hurricane Katrina. Since that great storm, we have virtually let this book go out of print, and it will be at least another six months before we have an updated version in hand. It has been necessary to wait all this time to let the sitation on the Mississippi and Louisiana coastlines stabilize enough for any sort of accurate reporting.
Note the web site Captain Reggie supplies below for checking on the latest news concerning the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor
Yesterday we called the Biloxi Yacht Club number listed in our copy of your 4th edition Cruising Guide to the Northern Gulf, 228-435-5455
and it has been disconnected. Do they no longer exist?
At 4 pm yesterday, a Sunday, nobody answered the phone at Biloxi Small Craft Sailing Harbor.
We ended up anchoring just east of the shipping channel between the CSX bridge and the ruins of the old bridge, about half way in towards shore. Good protection from the easterlies we've seen for a couple days, approximately 10 ft of water, semi-lit at night by lights from the new Highway 90 bridge.
You are correct about a bumpy anchorage at Dauphine Island if the wind is easterly. We anchored towards the island from bouy 25. We set a 36 lb CQR and 100 feet of chain in about 11 ft. Winds blew all noght, gusting to over 20 knots at times. Short steep chop kept the boat rocking, but good holding, no dragging.
Roberts Bayou off Perdido Bay was a great anchorage. We anchored at the Y where the short arm of the bay which serves the public boat ramp meets the main bay. Late lunch at Pirates cove included cold Yeunglings and hamburgers with country fries. Tasty.
Anchoring in the southeast corner of Big Lagoon out of Pensacola was fine on a light to no air night. Plane are a little noisy until the navy shuts down for the night.
Reggie
CAL Cruising 36 "Submit"
http://www.gulfcoastnews.com/GCNnewsRebuildofBlxSmallCraftHarbor092208htm.htm
internet search gives this phone number for Biloxi Yacht Club
(228) 374-6344
Reggie Good
I copied the discussion below from the Net’s “Ask Your Neighbor” page, which was in turn copies from the AGLCA list page. Note the two diametrically opposed points of view on Eastern Shore Marine!
We are planning on starting the loop this fall and would like to find a marina in Mobile Bay for our 38′ Bayliner. We plan to get there around 1 Nov. and would like to leave our boat there, travelling back and forth over the winter months from Illinois before moving on. Of course, we’d like to use the boat as our “southern condo” during the winter and stay aboard. We’ll probably move on sometime early spring.
I am familiar with Dog River Marina in Mobile and Eastern Shore Marina on Fly Creek (near Fairhope). Are there any others out there that you recommend?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Kathy & Gary
Crazy Q
Eastern Shore is a nice place. We stayed there for three days last Nov. . I would go back again. They do have a working boatyard. The marina is about 2 miles from Fairhope ( a great town). The marina has two courtesy cars. The dock area is a dead zone for cell phones. It is necessary to walk around the steel work building for good reception. Depth is not a problem, the yacht club across the fairway is packed with sailboats.
Jerry Cilibraise
Morning Star
Our experience with Eastern Shore Marina was disappointing. I phoned ahead to tell them we were coming to their marina. We stopped to purchase fuel and obtain repairs.
Engine service was requested. Several employees sat on the decks, visited,and speculated about the possibilities of what might be causing an unusual problem. No more than ten minutes were used to even look at the engine. That time was spent to verify that we were telling them the truth regarding the way the fuel lines were connected.
No equipment to diagnose the problem. We were charged two hours of labor at the rates expected for a skilled mechanic. We never saw anyone that had a clue as to what they we doing. The charges were outrageous.
Eddy Beard
aboard Seldom’s Escape
Kathy & Gary ,
Grand Mariner Marina is a good family run marina. It is also on Dog River across from Dog River Marina and Turners.
Alan Lloyd
Great Circle Navigation Notes
Kathy:
Don’t overlook Grand Mariner Marina directly across Dog River from Dog River Marina. Very nice folks, good rates, courtesy car, etc. We have stayed there a couple of times for a week or so each. They can accommodate your Bayliner quite comfortably.
Of course Dog River Marina (a major AGLCA sponsor) and Eastern Shore Marine are both very good facilities also.
Bill
If you can make it a little further to the Gulf Coast, you’d have a much more enjoyable “floating condo” to visit during the winter than in the Mobile area. Anywhere from Gulf Shores, AL, to Panama City, FL, there are at least a half dozen great marinas. We’re very biased on Baytowne Marina at Sandestin Resort, just east of Destin, FL. This is our 7th winter there.
Dick Hanson on Souvenir
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