Docks lie along the northern banks of the Darien River, hard by the charted 31’ fixed bridge, in the heart of downtown Darien. Darien is found 7 nautical miles off the ICW via the fully marked Darien River Channel, featuring 14’ depths..
$1.00 per foot per night This includes electricity and water.
Type of dockage:
floating concrete decked face docks
Live Aboards Allowed:
no
Total number of slips/berths:
387 feet
Dockside Power Connections:
No Power Available
Dock. Fresh Water Connections:
Available.
Restaurant:
several within walking distance
Restaurant Recommendations:
Skippers Fish Camp 912-437-3474, Nautica Joe's 912 437-5637, B & J's 912 437-2122, Zio Carlo Cafe 912 437-3739
Provisioning Possibilities:
Turnip Greens market, Waterfront Wine & Gourmet Shop, First Georgia Hardware & Marine, Bi-Lo grocery store, Post Office, Fort King George Historic Site, Bed and Breakfast, Convenient store, Laundry mat & Library one mile or less away
LPG (Propane) Availability:
Available. Tank exchange available at nearby convenience store
37' motor vessel, 4' draft, 12.5 beam. Stayed at Darien City Marina and waterfront park January 29-31/2019. An all around very pleasant experience even though the weather was cool and rain. The city staff, especially Teresa couldn't have been more helpful and pleasant. The price is very good here and we did get a free night by purchasing a night. The town has all we needed mostly within a walk. Supplies and good restaurants are within a walk. We may have tried them all!! There is ample space for dogs and good walking and biking streets. Docking is a challenge if the current is running fast as it is most times. Deep water and floating docks. There are limited spaces here so be sure to call ahead. Also only one 50 amp so we used the generator at night. As others have said the trip off the ICW is about 8 miles and the Darien river can get shallow in places that are all well documented. Coming in or going out on the mid to high tide is a must. We loved it and look forward to returning. PS this is not a commercial marina so there are no facilities or WiFi. But it's still a great place to be
This is a corrected review from one submitted earlier today.
Darien is a very pleasant side trip off the AICW, located 7 miles west of the AICW between Dolby and Altamaha Sounds at about MP 651. Turn into the Darien River at AICW Red 184, keeping it to port when turning into the river. Once past this point, markers are red-right-returning. The river is generally wide and deep. Pay particular attention to Red 12 and nearly adjacent Red 14, as their position in the river looks like they should be green, but they are RED. Keep between them and the nearby south bank. The rest of the trip is straight forward. Keep to the outside on turns and watch for floating vegetation. The outside of the last dock is usually open for transients, and can handle large boats, depending on room at the time. Call ahead at 912-437-6659 to check availability. Approach to the facing dock into the current is easy and if you call ahead, Dockmaster Wyn will catch your lines. If you like the lowlands, this is a beautiful and wild stretch. The town is delightful and within a few blocks of the floating docks. Plenty for cruisers to do do for a couple days. Because it can take some time to get there, depending on current direction, Darien is best as a visit destination and not a quick stopover along the AICW, at least for us slow boats. Darien rates are a dollar a foot including water and 30 amp electric, and I was told they will soon have free bicycles for use of overnight guests. Fuel is available at a nearby service station.
You will not find friendlier or more accommodating folks anywhere on the ICW than Darien. For clarification there are two independently operated sets of docks in Darien. Below or east of the bridge the docks are operated by the McIntosh County Industrial Development Authority. Above or west of the bridge the dock is owned by the City of Darien.
The first docks approached as arriving in Darien will be the McInstosh County Industrial Development Authority Docks. Although these docks were free with complementary water and electricity for a number of years, they now cost $1.00 per foot per night and that includes water and electricity. There is now a dockmaster available for most times of the day. Just contact Teresa at the Authority office M-F at 912-437-6659 or Capt Wynn Gale at 912-223-6821 after hours or weekends. Capt Gale is a local shrimper and can answer any question about local services as well as navigational advice. 31°22’03.9″N 81°26’08.2″W https://goo.gl/maps/e14AqDUWkx42 https://mcintoshga.com
The Highway 17 fixed bridge (31′ vertical clearance) adjacent to and west of the McIntosh County Industrial Authority Docks. On the other side of the bridge is the City of Darien Dock that is still a free dock with a 6 hour limit of use. This dock is unattended and does not offer water or electricity. Contact The City of Darien at (912) 437-6686 for additional information. 31°22’04.8″N 81°26’14.5″W https://goo.gl/maps/zjkLL6nUvXq http://www.cityofdarienga.com
A park, restaurants, marine hardware store, bank, post office, fuel and convenience store are located within an easy walk of both docks. A grocery store is located 1.26 miles from the docks. Since Darien is the shrimping capitol of Georgia Capt Wynn can advise you where to purchase fresh shrimp if they are in season.
Found plenty of water on the Darien river. Chose to dock here to wait for tide to transit Little Mud creek. It is 7 miles up the river, but was more than worth it. Free dock with electric – only 30amp – David the volunteer dockmaster was very friendly and helpful. dinner at Skippers was great and the best Key Lime pie ever!
June 26, 2014 The Darien docks have been repaired and are open effective June 24. The damage was caused by an unidentified vessel. Six new pilings had to be installed as well as numerous minor items. THE 48 HOUR FREE DOCKAGE PROGRAM IN BACK IN ACTION INCLUDING FREE POWER AND WATER. SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE. THANKS FOR THE HUNDREDS OF CRUISERS WHO HAVE VISITED. QUESTIONS? Called “dockmaster Dave” at 912-223-8855 or dbutler415@yahoo.com Bon voyage to all David Butler
Received a message today [6/21] from a member of the McIntosh County Industrial Development Authority that the “docks are ready for visitors from the ICW however, the power will not be available until sometime on Monday at the earliest.” James Newsome
The city marina in Darien, Georgia has been damaged due to a boat crashing into the outside dock. We arrived there late afternoon on June 13th in route from Savannah to Saint Simons Island and were told by an unidentified person on the dock that would could not dock there as it was closed. There was a pontoon boat at the end of the dock and two sailboats on the inside. All appeared unoccupied. I docked the boat and spoke with this person who got someone on the phone that was supposed to be in charge. After some discussion he agreed we could stay on the dock away from the damaged area. It was late in the day and we did not wish to look for a suitable anchorage as there were none close by. The shore power did not work but we did have access to water. There are no showers or restrooms at this marina. We had not called the marina in advance as it is not used by many transient boaters and did not believe there would be in problem. In the future I will call. I do not have any information on when the marina will be repaired and re-opened. Submitted by: David London S.V. Delphine Catalina 350
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
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 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
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
Last Thursday, I decided to check out Darien GA – it’s about 8 miles off the ICW, so it’s out of the way. My friend James, from St. Simon’s Island, had written a piece about it for Southwinds – it’s not published yet, but I’ll post the link when I have it – and it sounded interesting. Also, there was a nasty storm on its way, so a dock sounded good. I arrived in the dark, and was helped to tie up by another sailor docked there. He told me that this was the weekend for the Blessing of the Fleet, the 45th annual shrimp boat festival and blessing. Well, that sounded interesting, and since Darien was providing 48 hours free dockage to encourage visitors – why not? To be honest, Darien is a different sort of place….very down to earth people would be the best way of putting it, and you know, when the first tune from the band is an old Merle Haggart standard, you’re going to be hearing a lot of country and very little rap. Not a bad thing, come to think of it, and I’m not a big country fan… Darien partied on all weekend, I made some great new friends, and Gypsy Wind had a front row center seat for the festivities – as loud as they were. And on Sunday, the big event – the blessing of the fleet. This video gives you an idea of what it was like….
Wayne and Rhonda McManus- April 5, 2013 - 10:18 am
Those of you still in FL or just reaching GA should give Darien, GA some consideration. It is a quaint little shrimping town N of Brunswick and well worth the stop. About 7 miles off of the ICW, the town offers free dockage for 48 hours. Floating concrete docks are conveniently located right downtown and power is free also. There are 3 pedestals, each with twin 30A power. The free dockage is limited to the outside dock which can hold about 4, maybe 5 typical cruisers. There are 3 of us here now. The town makes this offer to attract cruisers of course and all of the town really makes you feel welcome. Great food within walking distance – we’ve tried Skippers, B&J’s, and The Purple Pickle so far, all outstanding. Fort King George is an interesting historic site and the town has great bicycle trails around the perimeter of the city and within. The historic Butler rice plantation is 1 mile south, Piggly Wiggly is 1.2 miles away, and a well-stocked Hardware/Marine Supply store is a couple of blocks away. With the storms rolling through, they are allowing us to stay an extra day without charge so we just want to put in a plug for a town that wants our business and is really making a great effort to get us here. We think the Blessing Of The Fleet is scheduled for next weekend so you might call and confirm availability for that time. Wayne and Rhonda McManus “Help Me Rhonda” 44 Gulfstar
If you do dock at Darien, make sure you lock your boat and anything else you would like to keep when you go ashore. This is a public area with marginal lighting and absolutely NO security. Several boats have been broken into in the past several years, including mine! The police officer told me people roam around the area at all hours of the night!!
Marker R26 between ICW and Darien GA has been replaced by CG with a lighted red floating marker. Also .. pay attention to R12 which may seem too close to marsh but IS NOT! Go slow and pay attention. 48 hrs free dockage for cruisers. Ya’ll come! 48 HOURS FREE DOCKAGE/WATER/ELEC FOR 48 HOURS…NON-COMMERCIAL ONLY. David Butler, Darien Dockmaster
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.
Reviews from Cruisers (18)
37' motor vessel, 4' draft, 12.5 beam.
Stayed at Darien City Marina and waterfront park January 29-31/2019. An all around very pleasant experience even though the weather was cool and rain. The city staff, especially Teresa couldn't have been more helpful and pleasant. The price is very good here and we did get a free night by purchasing a night. The town has all we needed mostly within a walk. Supplies and good restaurants are within a walk. We may have tried them all!! There is ample space for dogs and good walking and biking streets. Docking is a challenge if the current is running fast as it is most times. Deep water and floating docks.
There are limited spaces here so be sure to call ahead. Also only one 50 amp so we used the generator at night.
As others have said the trip off the ICW is about 8 miles and the Darien river can get shallow in places that are all well documented. Coming in or going out on the mid to high tide is a must.
We loved it and look forward to returning. PS this is not a commercial marina so there are no facilities or WiFi. But it's still a great place to be
This is a corrected review from one submitted earlier today.
Darien is a very pleasant side trip off the AICW, located 7 miles west of the AICW between Dolby and Altamaha Sounds at about MP 651. Turn into the Darien River at AICW Red 184, keeping it to port when turning into the river. Once past this point, markers are red-right-returning. The river is generally wide and deep. Pay particular attention to Red 12 and nearly adjacent Red 14, as their position in the river looks like they should be green, but they are RED. Keep between them and the nearby south bank. The rest of the trip is straight forward. Keep to the outside on turns and watch for floating vegetation. The outside of the last dock is usually open for transients, and can handle large boats, depending on room at the time. Call ahead at 912-437-6659 to check availability. Approach to the facing dock into the current is easy and if you call ahead, Dockmaster Wyn will catch your lines. If you like the lowlands, this is a beautiful and wild stretch. The town is delightful and within a few blocks of the floating docks. Plenty for cruisers to do do for a couple days. Because it can take some time to get there, depending on current direction, Darien is best as a visit destination and not a quick stopover along the AICW, at least for us slow boats. Darien rates are a dollar a foot including water and 30 amp electric, and I was told they will soon have free bicycles for use of overnight guests. Fuel is available at a nearby service station.
You will not find friendlier or more accommodating folks anywhere on the ICW than Darien. For clarification there are two independently operated sets of docks in Darien. Below or east of the bridge the docks are operated by the McIntosh County Industrial Development Authority. Above or west of the bridge the dock is owned by the City of Darien.
The first docks approached as arriving in Darien will be the McInstosh County Industrial Development Authority Docks. Although these docks were free with complementary water and electricity for a number of years, they now cost $1.00 per foot per night and that includes water and electricity. There is now a dockmaster available for most times of the day. Just contact Teresa at the Authority office M-F at 912-437-6659 or Capt Wynn Gale at 912-223-6821 after hours or weekends. Capt Gale is a local shrimper and can answer any question about local services as well as navigational advice.
31°22’03.9″N 81°26’08.2″W
https://goo.gl/maps/e14AqDUWkx42
https://mcintoshga.com
The Highway 17 fixed bridge (31′ vertical clearance) adjacent to and west of the McIntosh County Industrial Authority Docks. On the other side of the bridge is the City of Darien Dock that is still a free dock with a 6 hour limit of use. This dock is unattended and does not offer water or electricity. Contact The City of Darien at (912) 437-6686 for additional information.
31°22’04.8″N 81°26’14.5″W
https://goo.gl/maps/zjkLL6nUvXq
http://www.cityofdarienga.com
A park, restaurants, marine hardware store, bank, post office, fuel and convenience store are located within an easy walk of both docks. A grocery store is located 1.26 miles from the docks. Since Darien is the shrimping capitol of Georgia Capt Wynn can advise you where to purchase fresh shrimp if they are in season.
Found plenty of water on the Darien river. Chose to dock here to wait for tide to transit Little Mud creek. It is 7 miles up the river, but was more than worth it. Free dock with electric – only 30amp – David the volunteer dockmaster was very friendly and helpful. dinner at Skippers was great and the best Key Lime pie ever!
June 26, 2014
The Darien docks have been repaired and are open effective June 24. The damage was caused by an unidentified vessel. Six new pilings had to be installed as well as numerous minor items.
THE 48 HOUR FREE DOCKAGE PROGRAM IN BACK IN ACTION INCLUDING FREE POWER AND WATER. SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE. THANKS FOR THE HUNDREDS OF CRUISERS WHO HAVE VISITED.
QUESTIONS? Called “dockmaster Dave” at 912-223-8855 or dbutler415@yahoo.com
Bon voyage to all
David Butler
Received a message today [6/21] from a member of the McIntosh County Industrial Development Authority that the “docks are ready for visitors from the ICW however, the power will not be available until sometime on Monday at the earliest.”
James Newsome
The city marina in Darien, Georgia has been damaged due to a boat crashing into the outside dock. We arrived there late afternoon on June 13th in route from Savannah to Saint Simons Island and were told by an unidentified person on the dock that would could not dock there as it was closed. There was a pontoon boat at the end of the dock and two sailboats on the inside. All appeared unoccupied.
I docked the boat and spoke with this person who got someone on the phone that was supposed to be in charge. After some discussion he agreed we could stay on the dock away from the damaged area. It was late in the day and we did not wish to look for a suitable anchorage as there were none close by. The shore power did not work but we did have access to water. There are no showers or restrooms at this marina.
We had not called the marina in advance as it is not used by many transient boaters and did not believe there would be in problem. In the future I will call. I do not have any information on when the marina will be repaired and re-opened.
Submitted by:
David London
S.V. Delphine
Catalina 350
Darien River, stay at the free towndock. Really neat town. Eat at Crab Place.
John Winter
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
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
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 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
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
Last Thursday, I decided to check out Darien GA – it’s about 8 miles off the ICW, so it’s out of the way. My friend James, from St. Simon’s Island, had written a piece about it for Southwinds – it’s not published yet, but I’ll post the link when I have it – and it sounded interesting. Also, there was a nasty storm on its way, so a dock sounded good.
I arrived in the dark, and was helped to tie up by another sailor docked there. He told me that this was the weekend for the Blessing of the Fleet, the 45th annual shrimp boat festival and blessing. Well, that sounded interesting, and since Darien was providing 48 hours free dockage to encourage visitors – why not?
To be honest, Darien is a different sort of place….very down to earth people would be the best way of putting it, and you know, when the first tune from the band is an old Merle Haggart standard, you’re going to be hearing a lot of country and very little rap. Not a bad thing, come to think of it, and I’m not a big country fan…
Darien partied on all weekend, I made some great new friends, and Gypsy Wind had a front row center seat for the festivities – as loud as they were. And on Sunday, the big event – the blessing of the fleet.
This video gives you an idea of what it was like….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=b59nWMMebho
Captain Wally Moran
Those of you still in FL or just reaching GA should give Darien, GA some consideration. It is a quaint little shrimping town N of Brunswick and well worth the stop. About 7 miles off of the ICW, the town offers free dockage for 48 hours. Floating concrete docks are conveniently located right downtown and power is free also. There are 3 pedestals, each with twin 30A power. The free dockage is limited to the outside dock which can hold about 4, maybe 5 typical cruisers. There are 3 of us here now. The town makes this offer to attract cruisers of course and all of the town really makes you feel welcome. Great food within walking distance – we’ve tried Skippers, B&J’s, and The Purple Pickle so far, all outstanding. Fort King George is an interesting historic site and the town has great bicycle trails around the perimeter of the city and within. The historic Butler rice plantation is 1 mile south, Piggly Wiggly is 1.2 miles away, and a well-stocked Hardware/Marine Supply store is a couple of blocks away. With the storms rolling through, they are allowing us to stay an extra day without charge so we just want to put in a plug for a town that wants our business and is really making a great effort to get us here. We think the Blessing Of The Fleet is scheduled for next weekend so you might call and confirm availability for that time.
Wayne and Rhonda McManus
“Help Me Rhonda”
44 Gulfstar
If you do dock at Darien, make sure you lock your boat and anything else you would like to keep when you go ashore. This is a public area with marginal lighting and absolutely NO security. Several boats have been broken into in the past several years, including mine! The police officer told me people roam around the area at all hours of the night!!
Marker R26 between ICW and Darien GA has been replaced by CG with a lighted red floating marker. Also .. pay attention to R12 which may seem too close to marsh but IS NOT! Go slow and pay attention. 48 hrs free dockage for cruisers. Ya’ll come! 48 HOURS FREE DOCKAGE/WATER/ELEC FOR 48 HOURS…NON-COMMERCIAL ONLY.
David Butler, Darien Dockmaster
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