On 4/22/13, as part of a NE Florida – Georgia Wish List, we posed the following question:

29. Statute Mile 651.5 ‘“ anyone cruised up the Darien River to the community of the same name? If so, what depths did you find? Did you tie up to the free city dock? How did you find them? How about some shoreside dining recommendations in Darien?

Responses follow:

Did it about a month ago and this is a must side trip. Town is really neat, great places to eat,free dock is neat (with a couple of sports having electrical, including twin 30 amps for those who need 220 volts). Easy navigation. If you do not take the time to see this place, you are not cruising, you are traveling. If you stay at the south dock (before the bridge) then walk up hill to town office to let them know you are there. If you call on radio at channel 16, a volunteer may hear you and visit you at boat to welcome you. Most likely, you will get welcomed anyway. Provisions are a long walk, but bike gets you there just fine.
John Winter

We draw 5 feet and managed to hit the Darien River at near full low tide. Not having been through there before we were careful to watch markers and depth. There was only one area where a second river diverts off of the Darien that we saw depths that were of most concern;5 – 7 feet. At that junction, you turn sharp to port staying just off the bank for only about 20 yards then back to starboard. There did not seem to be a well defined channel in this area. It is about 8 miles off the ICW to Darien and when you get there, currents are swift. The dock that accomodates the larger boats is just before you get to the bridge. It will only accomodate about three trawlers and if it is full, there are no other options unless you can convince the shrimpers to let you tie up there.
The people in Darien are great, food convenient and good and there is a wonderful little hardware store that stocks a lot of marine hardware to accomodate the substantial shrimping business based there. Certainly worth the trip. I wish there was a way to find out if there was dock space before you make the trip as we had to squeeze in between two boats already there and I emphasize again, the currents there are swift.
Rod Busbee

We spent four night in Darien and had a great time. There are so many good places to eat within walking distance. Skippers just under the bridge (west). I don’t remember the name of the little rest. that is in the end of the 7-11 across the road from the marina great food there. If you like shrimp, about 1/2 mile north on US 17 is “J& B or B&J rest. Great Sea Food there. Altamaha River Cruises will let you rent or have a guided Kayak cruise through the old rice fields. Fort King George is a short bike ride or you can walk there if you like walking. The Darien Rive is well marked. I went up the river at low tide, no problem. If you can reach David Bulter at 912-223-8855 or 912-222-8855. He was a lot of help. He is the unoffical dock master. The town of Darien is a great place to walk around.
Tim

We stayed here in October, 2012 and again in March 2013. We think it is a great place. our comments following our October visit, sent to SSECN follow:
On October 25, 2012, we are currently docked at the free Darien docks. This a wonderful place, well worth the trip of about seven miles up the Darien River. We came here on 10/24 at dead low tide. We saw two places with some shallow depths, one at R10 with 5.5 feet and one at R12 with six feet. At both locations depth went back up to 12+ feet very quickly. At low tide, the shoals are very visible, and the channel markers, and chartplotter were accurate. It took us about 1.25 hours to get here after leaving the ICW at R184. It was a pleasant run. We are a trawler, cruising with a sailboat.The town is lovely, with a Piggly Wiggly about a mile from the docks, and a hardware store about two blocks. The Wine Bar, near the hardware store is beautiful.This a wonderful side trip. Do not miss it. There are about 30 large shrimpboats docked just downstream of us. The only reason for four stars rather than five is the lack of restrooms, but it is free, including 30 amp power and water. What more can you ask for two nights free.
Thanks Claiborne for the suggestion on this one.
Norman Mason
Monk 36, Peggy Sue
Norfolk, VA

Anyone who would like to see a video of Darien, check out my blog: http://bloggingtheicw.blogspot.com/2013/04/blessing-of-fleet.html
Interesting town and SUPER friendly people.
Wally Moran

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Darien City Docks

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Darien City Docks