Skull Creek Marina lies east of the gap between AICW markers #9A and #10 at the northwest corner of Hilton Head Island.
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Skull Creek Marina
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This annual Thanksgiving celebration at Port Royal Landing Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is a perfect example of true Southern hospitality and of a marina family that cares about boaters! Port Royal Landing Marina guards the western banks of Beaufort River just south of marker #244.
The Port Royal Landing Marina will be holding their annual Thanksgiving Dinner. The marina furnishes smoked turkeys, just bring a side to share and your favorite beverage. Dinner starts at 1:00. The marina is offering buy 2 nights and get a third night free or buy 5 nights and get 2 additional nights free. For more information contact Capt Bill Mote at 843-592-3344, or the Marina for reservations. Everyone is welcome, come join the fun.
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Windmill Harbour Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located hard by the southwesterly mouth of the Waterways’ passage south down Skull Creek, on the shores of Hilton Head Island, south of marker #27.
We too are in Windmill Harbour and really do enjoy the marina. We’ve been there over 4 years and are going to use it as our home base when we begin cursing full time 3 years from now. It is the most weather protected marina I’ve ever been in. Good clean fuel, easy in and out, and 5+’ at low tide in the approach.
Phil Savoy
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Bravo DNR! The May River, where this rescue took place, departs the Waterway westward from statute mile 560. Windmill Harbor, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is on Hilton Head Island east of the Waterway at Mile 588.
Family rescued by DNR officers after boat sinks in storm
By Staff reports
newsroom@islandpacket.com August 10, 2014
Two S.C. Department of Natural Resources officers patrolling the May River rescued a family Saturday after their boat sank during a storm, a DNR spokesman said.
Lance Cpl. Adam Henderson and conservation officer Josh Reid came across the family of four about 5 p.m. near Alljoy Boat Landing, 1st Sgt. Robbie Smith said.
The family — which included two young boys — was heading back toward Windmill Harbour when large waves from Saturday afternoon’s storm overtook their 18-foot boat and caused it to sink quickly. The family tried to contact the U.S. Coast Guard before the boat sank, but the mayday message was never transmitted, Smith said.
The family clung to a 15-inch section of the boat that was sticking out of the water for more than an hour until Henderson and Reid found them, Smith said.
The two officers pulled the family onto their boat and took them to the landing, where they were treated for small cuts and abrasions by EMS and released.
Sea Tow removed the submerged boat from the water Sunday afternoon, Smith said.
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As reported by Erin Moody in the Island Packet on August 5, a leak of 5000-plus gallons of sewage forced the prohibition of swimming in Battery Creek. However, as of August 8, Battery Creek, a popular anchorage lying just west of the Beaufort River by Port Royal, is now cleared for swimming.
Swimming advisory for Battery Creek lifted after sewage leak
By LAURA OBERLE
August 8, 2014
A swimming advisory for Battery Creek was lifted Friday after water-quality tests came back clean, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced.
Read more here:
http://www.islandpacket.com/2014/08/08/3248330/swimming-advisory-on-battery-creek.html?sp=/99/100/&ihp=1
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Shelter Cove is located in a man-made cove on the southeastern shores of Broad Creek in Hilton Head Island near markers #22 and #23. The Merchant’s comments below come to us via the AGLCA forum.
Plan on staying at Shelter Cove Marina in Hilton Head.
Great location, pricing, food and entertainment within easy walking distance. Free Shuttle will take you to all locations within Palmetto Dunes. There is a great Kroger on the shuttle route. Marina staff is very friendly. Check your tide table. Always easier to come and go on a mid to high tide.
Bill and Sandra Merchant
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Shelter Cove Marina
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Palmetto Bay Marina – Click for Chartview
After leaving Calibogue Sound, Hilton Head Island’s Broad Creek runs northeast for a bit and then turns sharply east. Soon after flowing through this easterly cut, Palmetto Bay Marina will come abeam to the south.
Claiborne –
We just departed our favorite Hilton Head Island stop – Palmetto Bay marina. This is the best marina to access the central section of Hilton Head. Most stores, supplies and restaurants are within biking distance on the bike trail or just off the trail. Cruisers will find all their regular stores nearby: Publix, Starbucks, Panera, Fresh Market, etc. AND – the great Jazz Corner, one of the few small jazz clubs left in the country, serving excellent music and food every night.
Palmetto Bay is less “upscale” than the other marinas on HH, and that’s what we like. Dockhands are friendly, great Sunrise Café for breakfast (6 am!) and lunch. Bathrooms and shower are shared with other marina and restaurant clientele, so shower timing is important.
The very friendly Yacht Club of Hilton Head is on this property (no docks), and we have joined in their Friday dinner activities on previous stops here. These YC members are very proud that their club staffed the Olympics sailing races several years ago when the Savannah YC turned down the opportunity.
Capt. Wendy Young
“Blue Crab” 32′ Island Gypsy
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Palmetto Bay Marina
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Palmetto Bay Marina – Click for Chartview
After leaving Calibogue Sound, Hilton Head Island’s Broad Creek runs northeast for a bit and then turns sharply east. Soon after flowing through this easterly cut, Palmetto Bay Marina will come abeam to the south.
Everything about this marina has changed. All new inexperienced staff. Captain Woody’s has relocated, but the Black Marlin is as good as ever. Docks are being populated by `Derelict boats’ being brought in by the management and rented to a non-boating clientele as housing. Used this marina for years, unfortunately it’s become necessary to bypass it for Shelter Cove Marina a mile beyond.
Pinched Nerve
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Palmetto Bay Marina
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Highway 802 Bridge – Click for Chartview
We turned back today, unable to negotiate the bridge at high tide with our 64 foot mast. Call Port Royal Landing Marina for for a reading as you approach the bridge. 1 843-524-4422.
Jim George
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Highway 802 Bridge
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Port Royal Landing
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Daufuskie Island - Click for Chartview
The Waterway runs along the north and west side of Daufuskie Island, out of Calibogue Sound at Statute Mile 565, west of Hilton Head Island, as the Waterway scampers south towards the Savannah River.
I thought I would mention a couple of other things. First, if going to Hilton Head, Daufuskie Island will make a great day stop or even over night. You can tie up at the Melrose ferry dock and rent a golf cart. Bicycles work well there as well as on Hilton Head.
Don on “Moonstruck”
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Shelter Cove Marina - Click for Chartview
Here are good words for Shelter Cove Marina on Hilton Head Island as originally posted on Trawler Forum, http://www.trawlerforum.com/. Shelter Cove is located in a man-made cove on the southeastern shores of Broad Creek (Hilton Head Island) near markers #22 and #23.
I like Shelter Cove on Hilton Head. It is about a 25 minute run up Broad Creek, but worth it. 7 or 8 restaurants surrounding the harbor plus more within walking distance. A supermarket is also within walking distance. Palmetto Bay Marina is on the way to and from. Captain Woody’s restaurant there is good.
Moonstruck
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Shelter Cove Marina
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Kindred Spirit III enjoyed a delightful evening at Port Royal Marina. We’ve been to Beaufort, SC, many time but never to PRM. It isn’t convenient to downtown Beaufort but there is a loaner vehicle, of which we and another couple, took advantage. The town is cycling distance and the marina has loaner bikes. A Doc in a Box and CVS are [within] walking distance. The staff was absolutely wonderful, kind, and genuinely caring. If you’re a paying customer, 2 nights gets you one free. The restaurant adjacent to the marina has GREAT burgers. The marina has wifi, book exchange, captain’s lounge and ship’s store.
Bill and Laura Bender
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Port Royal Landing Marina - Click for Chartview
Captain Graham is responding to an earlier posting about an adult beverage store on Lady’s Island, see /?p=128639. Port Royal Landing Marina guards the western banks of the AICW/Beaufort River, a short hop south of downtown Beaufort, SC. Port Royal Landing Marina is a much valued SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Bill’s is indeed a great liquor, wine, beer store. Here’s another local tip if you are a microbrew connoisseur. If you spend the night or two at Port Royal Landing Marina, just south of the Beaufort swing bridge, there is an amazing selection of about 20 microbrews on draught at, of all places, the PIGGLY WIGGLY, about a half mile around the corner from the marina. Growlers are available in a couple sizes. There is also a larger selection available in bottles. PLUS, the small shopping center where `THE PIG’ as it is known, is located also has a Sears Hardware, a West Marine, and a hard liquor store as well. Marina staff can give you complete directions. They can also have a loaner car you can use if you really want to load up on groceries and growlers.
Jeff Graham
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Jarvis Creek - Click for Chartview
Jarvis Creek and its anchorage opens on the eastern shores of northern Calibogue Sound, south of Jenkins Islands and east of flashing daybeacon #1.
In the SSECN “South Carolina Anchorage Directory, we have always given Jarvis Creek our lowest recommendation (only one anchor), and the shoals surrounding this stream’s mouth are certainly one reason for this less than glowing review. Now, based on the experiences of the two shrimpers (see below), we are wondering whether we should remove Jarvis Creek entirely from our suggested anchorages????
If ANYONE has had a good or bad experience exploring and/or anchoring in Jarvis Creek, PLEASE share your observations. Either make use of the “Comment” function below, or send e-mail to EditorialDirector@CruisersNet.net. Many thanks in advance!
UPDATE: Make SURE to read the note from Captain Moore below the photo at the bottom of this posting. His local knowledge clears up most of the mystery surrounding this grounding!
Cruising News:
island packet . 2 trawlers aground in jarvis crk. trying to re float today [8/15/2013]. s of broad crk marina on icw?
Wooduck
And this reprint from The Island Packet:
By SARAH BOWMAN
sbowman@islandpacket.com
Posted: August 17, 2013
Two shrimp boats ran aground Wednesday in a marsh on the north end of Hilton Head Island. James Murray is captain of the overturned Lady Essie, a 1969, 65-foot shrimp trawler based in Port Royal. He said he came into Jarvis Creek at 7 a.m. to tow another shrimp trawler, the Dianie, from the dock behind the Crazy Crab restaurant, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Sgt. Robin McIntosh said.
Murray, who is 69 and from Savannah, said he was unfamiliar with the creek and the shallow areas, and he ran aground as he was trying to leave the creek.
Island Packet - Staff Photo by Drew Martin
We live near the Jarvis Creek grounded shrimpers, and they are not at the mouth of the creek. I would estimate that they are a little over 1/2 mile into the creek. (I cannot check this, as we just pulled our Whaler for some maintenance.) I do not disagree with your conclusions regarding Jarvis Creek, but I would doubt if the typical anchoring boat would be where these boats are grounded.
K. C. Moore, Jr.
Hilton Head
I live on Hilton Head Island and dock at Windmill Harbour, just visible on the upper left corner of your map insert, the entrance where the 10 ft. depth is shown, so I pass this mess all the time. My guess is that it is skipper error, rather than silting, and it is farther up the creek than I would go. the boats are a long way up the creek
Shrimp boats always used Jarvis Creek to tie up next to the Crazy Crab restaurant on Highway 278 one mile on the island. The article says there was towing involved, so I believe that was the issue, as it is exceptionally tight in the upper are of the creek. the crazy crab is some 1/4 mile further up the creek than where the boats grounded.
From what I can see, the boats are considerably higher up the creek than where your red anchor is placed, and I would place them between the 9ft and 5ft marks on the upper right hand side of the map insert, where it turns to the starboard (as you enter) – nearly off your insert. They appear well North East of the red anchor at any rate.
There was a Coast Guard or Auxiliary boat looking at them when I passed them the other day, and they took fuel off them, so it looks like they may be there for a while. They are on the Northwest bank of the creek, parallel to the shore, and both well aground. The fishing rig and booms have now been removed from the second boat (see left boat in picture still has booms on – they are now gone), so it is a lot safer.
I would not go that far up the creek to anchor anyway, because it would be really tight to turn around.
Hope This helps –
Bill Lawrenson,
SV Serenity,
Hilton Head Island
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Windmill Harbour Marina - Click for Chartview
Windmill Harbour Marina – A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! – sits hard by the southwesterly mouth of AICW’s passage south down Skull Creek, on the shores of Hilton Head Island, south of marker #27 (on the easterly banks)
We are docked in Windmill Harbour Marina.
This is a great hurricane spot with a lock so no tides or currents, and homes all around the marina for wind protection, but the marina association discourages full time liveaboards for more than 14 days a month.
Stay safe,
Tom and Patsy
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Hey Claiborne:
I really like your anchoring guides. However, I think you have some flaws in the entry you have for Cowen Creek. (Mile 544.5 on the Beaufort River, between Beaufort SC and Hilton Head). I’d like to suggest some corrections on this one.
1). I think it’s misleading to talk about “negotiating several unmarked shoals”. Yes, if you’re coming from the north, you must go far enough south to clear Cowen spit. If you watch your chartplotter, the entrance to Cowen Creek is wide and deep with NO UNMARKED SHOALS. Take a look at the wider area chart, and this should be self-evident. From the south, it’s a no-brainer. Coming from the north, you’re in good shape if you go far enough south to go around the south side of the old range light charted at 32 degrees 20.12N, 80 degrees 39.34W. Do that, and it’s a wide and deep water entrance with no issues.
2). Your little anchor symbol on the chart photo is way upstream in the creek. Yes, it gets narrower up there, but it’s all protected and nearly always flat water once you’re in the creek. Most cruising boats don’t go that far up to anchor. I’ve seen 3 or 4 cruising boats anchored in the area 32 degrees 21.64N, 80 degrees 38.89W. ( Middle of the creek, abeam of the “o” in “Cowen Cr” label on the chart.)
3). Optionally… there’s another anchorage area for someone who really wants a “Hurricane Hole”. It’s the straight stretch of the creek, t32 degrees 22.99N, 80degrees 38.54W. There is deep water all the way there so it allows even a sailboat to reach these areas, going past private docks on Distant Island and around a double set of bends. It is really protected. .
FYI… ( my credentials for sharing this…) I’m a full time live-aboard cruiser, and spend half of my time living in the Beaufort area and half time cruising on a 38′ sailboat. Cowen Creek is a nice, nearby wilderness anchorage, a few minutes away from the marina. It’s where I take “visitors” when they come to visit my wife and I, and they want to spend a night on the sailboat anchored out. (Smile!).
Rapid Roy
S/V “Gideon”
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Cowen Creek
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Palmetto Bay Marina is the first facility you will encounter when entering Broad Creek from the AICW and Calibogue Sound. It will be spotted on the creek’s southern banks, just downstream of the high-rise, bypass bridge.
If you’re willing to go a few miles off the ICW, you can visit Palmetto Bay marina on Broad Creek. If you have a deep draft vessel, DO NOT try to cut across the sandbar at G29A. Local power boats do this, but it’s strictly “local knowledge”. The safe passage is go around Green 1 marking Calibogue shoal and enter the mouth of Broad Creek. This will lead you upstream to Palmetto Bay marina on the starboard side, just before you reach the bridge.
The attraction for traveling cruisers isn’t the marina ( although yes, it’s nice ) but that it’s co-located with a local shopping center. There are multiple restaurants and shops, making for a pleasant stop over and a night out.
Rapid Roy
S/V “Gideon”
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Palmetto Bay Marina
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As part of a 4/30/13 South Carolina Wish List, we posed the following question:
Statute Mile 565 to 555 ‘“ reviews, impressions or experiences with any of the several marinas on Hilton Head Island would be very helpful to your fellow cruisers. In particular, if you visited Harbortown or Shelter Cove Marina, what depths did you find? Any dining recommendations on Hilton Head would also be very useful.
Responses follow:
Skull Creek marina is ok good restaurant in walking distance some weather problems in a east wind. Good fuel dock.
Jim Delligatti
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Skull Creek Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Skull Creek Marina
Statute Mile 565 to 555 ‘“ reviews, impressions or experiences with any of the several marinas on Hilton Head Island would be very helpful to your fellow cruisers. In particular, if you visited Harbortown or Shelter Cove Marina, what depths did you find? Any dining recommendations on Hilton Head would also be very useful.
Responses follow:
Windmill Harbour is a real find, great protection in any weather, reasonable fuel, great food at the SCYC at marina.
Jim Delligatti
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Bluffton via the May River with a stop for seafood at the Bluffton Oyster Company should not be missed, a link to a fast vanishing past. I woke one morning to find myself in the middle of a fleet of decrepit outboard boats headed out oystering with their crews shouting back and forth to each other in Gullah.
I anchor off the beach just upstream of the BOC. Lots of current so it is a good place for two anchors. Be sure to ask at the BOC for directions to their restaurant.
Roger Long
S/V Strider
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