Excellent Report on Cumberland Island, South Georgia AICW
Our thanks to Richard and Jill Spurlock for granting permission to share their excellent description of Cumberland Island as posted on AGLCA’s Forum. Cumberland Island National Seashore is a National Park on the east shore of the Waterway’s passage through Cumberland Sound south of Jekyll Island. There are only dinghy docks on the island and one of Claiborne’s favorite side trips along the south Georgia coast was to leave the Waterway at marker #34 and cruise up the Cumberland Island channel to anchor off the west side of Cumberland Island and east of Drum Point Island. See Anchoring off Cumberland Island and the Park’s website is https://www.nps.gov/cuis/index.htm.
If you would like to explore a great island park stop at Cumberland Island National Park just North of Fernandina Beach, Florida. Cumberland Island is the first barrier island you see [northbound] after you cross the Georgia line on the ICW. There is a long anchorage area that is protected except from the south and southwest. There were boats from 22 feet to 55 feet anchored in this 1/2 mile long anchoring area while we were visiting. There is a lot to see and do here if you like the outdoors. There are the Dungeness ruins, remains of a huge mansion and outbuildings, wild horses, Plum Orchard Mansion still intact with tours. You can also walk a half a mile to the Atlantic side and have a beach that goes as far as you can see. We only met two people walking the beach the day we were there. If the weather is nice you can easily spend 3 days here walking and enjoying the outdoors. There are 2 docks where you can tie a dinghy on the southern end and one on the Brickhill River where the Plum Orchard Mansion is located. This is a national park so there is a $10 per person entry fee for adults. Check it out on the web.
Richard and Jill Spurlock
Jill Kristy
MacGregor 26 X
Cumberland Island Beach, photo by Sonny Reeves
Comments from Cruisers (1)
Such a beautiful place.