I confirmed with Harbourgate Marina via phone that, unfortunately, there is no longer the 5% discount for BoatUS members. The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net’s “South Carolina Fuel Prices” directory has been updated accordingly. Please do note that Harbourgate is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

When we called to confirm fuel price listed on SSECN, we were told there is no BoatUS discount.
Jean Thomason

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

Calabash Creek Anchorage, just south of the North Carolina state line, remains a popular stopping point as verified by Capt. Jean. However, exercise caution at the creek’s entrance from the AICW, and be aware of two markers in the immediate vicinity, both numbered #2.

Anchored here 4-19-10 with nine other boats ‘“ 6 sail and 4 power altogether. It’s pretty tight with that many boats and I doubt the shrimpers will be please with those that are impinging on the channel. Not a lot of anchorage choices in this area however.
Jean Thomason

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Calabash Creek Anchorage

Lightkeepers Marina is one of the three pleasure craft facilities located in Coquina Harbor, which borders the Waterway’s western flank in Little River, SC. Another is Myrtle Beach Yacht Club, which, in spite of its name, is a marina, and they are also a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR as well!!!
Note that the reply originally below appeared on the AGLCA (American Great Loop Cruisers’ Association). and was in answer to a question.

If you can handle SC then Lightkeepers Marina in Coquina Harbor, Little River, SC is a nice safe marina with great rates. Phone and ask for James the Dockmaster, tell him what you want to do. It’s about 60 miles south of Wilmington, NC by road. It is in Horry County which is a county where you can leave your boat for up to 182 days per calendar yr without paying County or SC State Taxes. We have left our boat there several times for extended periods when we have gone home to Australia and have been very happy. We are 47ft with a 5ft draft and 18ft beam.
Regards from Rod and Pauline
Nova Scotia 47 Pilothouse Trawler

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

Here’s a quick, but informative comment about Harbour Gate Marina in Little River, SC. Not only does captain Susie run a great operation, but these good people are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! Note that we provide a link to Harbour Gate’s webcam below!

In Myrtle Beach, Harbourgate at the Swing Bridge is very safe, has a camera so you can see your boat on the internet, live.
Just Relax

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

Click Here To View Harbour Gate Marina’s live web/habor cam

We have actually listed the Socastee Swing Bridge as “Opens on Demand” or some time in our “South Carolina Bridge Directory” (/category/bridges-south-carolina/).
How “nice” of them to open on demand, especially as this low-level, break-down prone span should have been removed years ago, when the adjacent high-rise opened. Why spend the millions of dollars to build the new bridge, and keep the old one in place. Siggghhhhh!

The Socastee Swing Bridge tender said today that “unfortunately” there is no opening schedule for spring season. It’s all on demand. Our experience south- and northbound this season is we waited ten minutes for an opening.
Captain Jane Tigar

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Bridge Directory Listing For The Socastee Swing Bridge

Here’s a new one on me. I’ve never heard of any shoaling at the AICW/Little River intersection, and we have had no postings here on the Net previously about shallow depths here. This juncture is found immediately south of the North Carolina – South Carolina state line. Anyone else had trouble here. Please let us know your experiences, good or bad, by clicking the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below.

Subject: ICW at Little River Inlet Intersection
Cruising News: We were heading S. on the ICW on 3/26/2010. Around 12:15, we arrived at marker 119, the north side of the intersection. Upon heading to ICW marker red 2 w/yellow triangle, we contacted the ground. As we had little way, we simply eased off and tried to find a path through, but, could not. A marine officer happened by and said we should have no problem. We eased in behind him at minimum way and grounded in rock. While this is not the point of the posting, he did not lend any assistance. In fact, after he cleared the shallow area we were following him through, he hit full throttle. Nice. The actual point is why in the world could we not pass? I am not a new captain and our boat drafts 39″. No one reported any issues. It is my understanding shrimpers, etc. go through there without issue. Had I been traveling at speed….Please provide insight as this has me troubled.
Robert McCoy

Please note the Barefoot Landing Transient Dock guards the AICW’s EASTERN banks, opposite the one-time Barefoot Resort Yacht Club and Marina. This latter facility is currently undergoing a change in ownership. Everything is (and has been) stable at the facility featured in this posting, which backs up to the huge Barefoot Landing shopping complex.

Arrived here about 1500 and were greeted by Mark the Dockmaster. He expertly helped us tie up our dock lines and adjust fenders. Price is $1.50 per foot and that includes electric and WiFi which makes it a great deal. The welcome pack includes info on the shopping area and a great discount coupon to T-Bones. The docks are in great shape and very easy to approach from the waterway.
Larry Morrow

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Barefoot Landing Transient Dock

I have taken a good, long look at chart 11534, and the marker #2 Captain Jane refers to below lies on the intersection of the AICW and Calabash Creek, just south of the NC – SC state line. Take a gander at 11534, and also notice there is a SECOND marker #2, which marks the southernmost section of the Calabash Creek channel. I’ve always thought two #2’s in such close proximity was a prescription for confusion.
Anyway, the southern mouth of Calabash Creek has been shoaling for some time, so perhaps these shallows are now beginning to impinge on the Waterway. HAS ANYONE ELSE NOTED LESS THAT STELLAR DEPTHS AT THIS INTERSECTION? If so, or not, please share your observations by click on the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below. Many thanks in advance

Subject: MM 342, Little River Inlet area
Cruising News: MM 342
At Little River Inlet, December 9, 2009, we found 5 feet near Red 2. It seemed to be a “lump”; we found deeper water a little bit to port. I think we were about 1/3 above low tide. We were on the red side of the channel.
S/V Lady Jane

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Calabash Creek Anchorage

Lightkeepers Village is one of the three facilities located on protected Coquina Harbor, near AICW marker #13. The other two are “Coquina Harbor Yacht Club” and Myrtle Beach Yacht Club (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!).

We have kept our boat at Lightkeepers Marina, Little River, SC many times. Coquina Harbor, it’s basically the North Myrtle Beach area. http://www.lightkeepersmarina.com/
Floating docks, quiet and secure with great rates, phone James the Dockmaster for their best rates. Phone 843 249 8660. Tell them the Aussies told you to call. We’re here at the moment on our boat and plan on staying until mid January, maybe longer.
Rod and Pauline
“Two by Two” Nova Scotia 47 Pilothouse Trawler

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Myrtle Beach Yacht Club

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

Captain Koerner’s remarks below are only the latest laudatory message here on the Cruisers’ Net concerning what a fine facility cruisers will find upon arriving at Grand Dunes Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR). Do yourself a BIG favor and include this facility in your cruise plan!

Very good experience. Dockhands really excellent and the staff is quite friendly. Even got a free bottle of wine when I registered! Courtesy van gave me a ride so I could do some grocery shopping.
HB Koerner

As a home owner here it is a great place to live. New docks are going in as I write this to accomodate catamarans, tri hulls and every other type of wide vessels. No need to tie up on the dock ends because of extra wide boats. Probably the best hurricane hole in North Carolina.
Cliff Kisby

Subject: The Marina at Grande Dunes
Cruising News: I am currently at this marina and left my boat here for a month while I had to return to work. This is a great place to be! The staff are excellent – friendly, helpful and attentive to taking care of the vessels in the marina. Docks are in excellent condition, security is great, facilities (laundry, showers, etc.) are well-done and clean. On site services such as restaurants and fitness facility are a bonus. And their rates are reasonable, given what I have paid elsewhere in my travels for less amenities. There\’s a grocery store, pharmacy, entertainment and even a hospital within walking distance. If you are stopping in the Myrtle Beach area, I highly recommend this location.
Lois

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Marina at Grand Dunes

Wow, talk about an impressive marina review. Crickett Cove is the first cruising craft friendly marina you will discover when cruising south of the NC – SC state line. It occupies the mainland shore.

I have stopped and stayed at many marinas in my over fifty years of boating on the East Coast, and I can categorically state that I have not found a better-run, cleaner, or more pleasant place to keep `The Lady T’, a Trojan Tri-Cabin trawler, than Cricket Cove Marina. I’m sure there must be comparable marinas somewhere, but I haven’t haven’t found one yet that combines secure docking, attention to detail, and the pleasant and accommodating staff, that I found at this place. it is a gem !
Captain Bob Viola
The Lady T

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Crickett Cove Marina

It’s getting almost redundant to post laudatory reviews of the Marina a Grand Dunes here on the Cruisers’ Net, but, believe me, we wil NOT stop doing so. This is one of the finest marinas in the Carolinas, and not just because they are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS NET SPONSOR!

We continued to mile 357 at Grand Dunes Marina. Right on ICW, protected from waves, price includes electric, wi-fi, cable TV. Also presented with bottle of wine with our boat picture taken when we arrived. Grocery store and CVS across the street.
Jane

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For The Marina At Grand Dunes

After receiving the note below, I made a few phone calls and determined that the marina portion of Barefoot Resort is indeed up for sale. We will further research the marina’s operational status as soon as possible. In the meantime, I suggest that cruisers wishing to berth along this portion of the Waterway heed Captain Sue’s advice and coil their lines at Barefoot Landing Transient Dock. This facility lies along the southern banks of the AICW/Pine Island Cut, just west of the Barefoot Landing swing bridge.

Hello Claiborne:
We were passing through Myrtly Beach yesterday, and tried to hail Barefoot Resort Yacht Club Marina on the VHF. We never got any response, and heard several others trying them as well, also with no response. We ended up spening the night on the opposite side of the Waterway at Barefoot Landing Transient Dock.
That turned out to be a great choice for us. The docks and all connections were in excellent order, and we had a marvellous meal ashore at T-Bones Gills and Grill.
Don’t know exactly what’s happened at Barefoot Resort, though we heard rumors on the dock that this facility was for sale, but boaters can’t go wrong by stopping at Barefoot Landing. Tell them Captain Sue sent you!
Captain Sue

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Barefoot Landing Transient Dock

I suspect the sailcraft Captain Pascal refers to below, got too near the edge of the “Pine Island Cut” portion of the AICW, known to Waterway veterans as “the rockpile.”

Hi Claiborne,
Heard a sailboat reporting that they bumped the bottom passing too close to R22A south of the rock pile. When i got there, I found 10′ MLW mid channel which isn’t bad although it’s significantly shallower than the rest of that stretch. dont’ know how close the sailboat was but it’s probably worth noting. I’d hate to hear about someone bending a wheel there if they passed too close…
I’m at Osprey tonight, still as friendly as usual, and very competitive fuel prices.
Pascal

Myrtle Beach Yacht Club is a great facility, with great fuel prices. In addition to the Officers Club Restaurant, mentioned below by Captain Woodward, Umbertos Restaurant is also on-site, and features what may be the best chops on the Waterway.

Very pleased with MBYC. Loved the rate. We are Sea Tow but they still gave us the Tow Boat rate. Excellant Pecan Pie at the Officer’s Club Restaurant. The rental car was from an outside contractor and it was a bit over the hill (that is kind), but the club facilities were excellant. It is also a very protected marina, all inside a basin.
Joanne S. Woodward

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For the Myrtle Beach Yacht Club

We have always enjoyed anchoring in Calabash Creek, but, at low tide the creek’s entrance is a bit on the shallow side. Depths deepen in the anchorage itself, but, as is true almost everywhere in South Carolina, watch out for those tidal currents.

Nice spot and not difficult to enter at mid-tide. However, you will have charter tour and fishing boats going by you in the early AM and late afternoon. The current and not the wind (unless strong) determines which way you face.
Pete & Mary Ann
s/v MicMac
10/22/09

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Calabash Creek