St. Augustine Creek Anchorage
St. Augustine Creek Anchorage
Statute Mile: 578
Lat/Lon: near 32 03.699 North/080 59.113 West
Location: on the waters of St. Augusine Creek, southeast of this stream’s first crook-like turn to the east, ‘“ St. Augustine Creek departs the ICW south of unlighted daybeacon #8
Minimum Depth: 18-feet
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 36 feet, assuming the gambling ship can clear your position (see below)
Foul Weather Shelter: Good except in particularly strong southeast winds
Special Note: a large gambling ship pays regular visits to St. Augustine Creek. The passage of this ship seriously limits swing room, and has caused us to downgrade this creek as a possible anchorage
Rating: 
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Comments from Cruisers (5)
I stayed near the turn on the second 17 noted on the chart with a 27′ sailboat. While looking in the creek, I passed and chatted with the Capt of the casino boat. He informed me that he would be returning around 2330 and suggested the area of the second 17 ft marking because of width. I happened to be up around 2330 and hailed the casino boat when I saw them in the creek. You can see them for a mile or so and asked if he wouldn’t mind slowing down. He slowed when he rounded the turn and was very courteous. I had no problems with this anchorage.
Chris
Earlier today we decided to use this anchorage; but had failed to check out the above comments. Needless to say, when the SunCruz vessel, returning from sea, called us on the VHF to inform us that he would be using this creek to return to his dock, we were taken by surprise. He was very courteous and suggested a spot farther into the creek where it is wide and we would not be in his way. Our electronic chart (not visible on our paper chart) showed a creek up ahead on the starboard side which has 9 feet MLW. We continued on and anchored in a very pleasant spot with plenty of swing room. We are now in a very protected spot, good holding and can rest knowing the gamblers will not disturb our sleep. This only goes to show the importance of these up=to=date additions to our normal cruising guides. And with that, a good night
Martha aboard Sandpiper
Claiborne – re St. Augustine’s Creek – it is shown as an anchorage . . . but is NOT SAFE. There is a gambling cruise boat that comes along after dark – anchoring in the creek puts you in its way and there is insufficient room to swing. When it happened to me, I pulled the boat close to shore with a second anchor to shore until after the ship had returned, after midnight.
It’s not safe and cannot be recommended. It’s just fortunate that the ship’s captains are aware of the problem and watch for it. Not a trip goes by that I’m in the area and don’t hear the ship calling out to someone anchored there.
To repeat – not safe, not to be used.
Wally
s/v Gypsy Wind
We are a 40 ft trawler and had plenty of room here. We went in a bit farther to shallower water and where the creek seemed wider. After spending 36 hours out in the Atlantic, this anchorage was a welcomed respite!
Captain Bobbie Blowers
Good water, but leave room for the Midnight Gambler II, who makes at least two runs a day through here. 25-30′ at low, plus up to 9′ of tide and another 5′ to the bow cleat gives depths of 39-43′. A scope of 8 for overnight tidal conditions would require a rode of 312-344′. Not the normal equipment for most boaters. You can (and should) find shallower water near the sides. Swing radii with this much rode will be a problem.
Name Withheld By Request