Below are some good details about Beaufort’s “other” facility, Ladys Island Marina. This marina lies on the shores of Factory Creek, which cuts south, just east of the Lady’s Island swing bridge.

A little more on Lady’s Island Marina. The canvas repair closed. Besides Groupers, a new barbeque joint: The Smokey Chef opened adjacent to the marina. The complimentary 2 hr. dockage is in effect for boaters going to Groupers.
We’ve taken our 5’9’³ draft sailboat in and out of Factory Creek multiple times this spring, and haven’t had a problem at mid- to high tide. We wouldn’t try it at low tide. Stay well away from Factory Creek’s green #1 as that’s where it’s shoaled.
Mike Cannady

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

Ladys Island Marina lies on the shores of Factory Creek, just across Ladys Island Bridge from downtown Beaufort, SC. The entrance to Factory Creek cuts south from the Waterway, just east of the Ladys Island span. While we are certainly very glad to hear there’s a new restaurant here, we still strongly suggest that you berth at Downtown Beaufort Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR). You can always take a quick taxi ride across the bridge to check out the new dining attraction, and there are also quite a collection of good places to quiet a healthy appetite in downtown Beaufort.

Subject: New Restaurant at Lady’s Island Marina
Cruising News: Claiborne, Cruisers heading to or through Beaufort, SC might be interested to learn that a new restaurant, named “Groupers”, has just opened up in the building formerly occupied by “Ollie’s” at Lady’s Island Marina. The new owners have thoroughly redecorated the place in pleasing Caribbean colors, and they\’re offering a truly varied menu –it’s not just seafood. We had lunch there last week, when they’d only been open for 3 days, and the place was already packed. Service was a bit slow (they seem to have been taken by surprise by the strong response they’ve gotten so far), but the food was good and no doubt the kinks will get worked out as the kitchen and wait staff adjust to the demand. We later heard that there was a line out the door waiting for dinner that same night, so they’ve clearly been discovered! They’re a welcome addition to the Beaufort restaurant scene. And, as a bonus, it’s our understanding that short-term transient dockage at Lady’s Island Marina for an hour or two is free if you come in for a meal at the restaurant, provided that a slip is available for your size boat.
Bob and Janet Schwerzel

We ate dinner at Groupers 4/10/2010 at 5:30 before the rush. We got salads, bread and drinks promptly but the entree was long in coming and the food was not hot. They were glad to reheat it. We had to request our side vegetables a couple of times. The Jambalaya was good; the fried oysters were too heavily breaded (compared with Ollie’s) The vegetables were nicely cooked and crisp. The prices seem a bit high ($17-20). The waitress was clearly inexperienced; she overturned a glass of ice tea at the next table and bumped into ours. Hopefully they will work out the problems soon!
Jean Thomason
(DOVEKIE)

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

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

Rick and Mandy Griffin, owners and operators of Downtown Marina of Beaufort are among our oldest and best SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS! These good people are truly friends to the cruising community, and we cannot recommend a stop here too highly.

Here on 3/27-30/2010. Agree with all the comments made by Larry Morrow. Lots of beautiful old homes and you can get alot more out or what you see if you take a walking tour or horse drawn cart with guide. Plum’s and Saltus are two outstanding resturants. Both are owned by the same person, but have a little different selections.
SV Aquarius

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Downtown Marina of Beaufort

The owners of Downtown Marina of Beaufort, Mandy and Rick Griffin, are some of the oldest and staunchest supporters of the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net. Please patronize their facility whenever possible. And, oh yes, all the many wonderful historic, shopping and dining attractions of downtown Beaufort are within easy walking distance.

Spent the last two nights here because of cold temps and high winds. We were placed on the outside close to the fuel pumps. Aside from a very strong current and water slapping the boat a bit at night, we had no problems. Dock hands and office staff are top notch. We used the courtesy car to get groceries and a few sundries. The laundry room was clean and the machines in great shape. Restaurants and shopping is right next door to the marina, within 100 yards of the docks.
Larry Morrow

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Downtown Marina of Beaufort