Vernon River Anchorages
Vernon River Anchorages
Statute Mile: 597
Lat/Lon:
31 55.995 North/081 06.949 West (anchorage west of Beaulieu)
31 56.285 North/081 07.430 West (anchorage south of Montgomery)
Location: on the waters of the section of Vernon River abandoned by the ICW, northwest of flashing daybeacon #70; downstream anchorage on the waters west of the charted position of Beaulieu; upstream anchorage south of the charted position of Montgomery
Minimum Depth: 8 feet
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 50 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Fair to Good; Beaulieu anchorage wide open to southern and southeastern winds; Montgomery Anchorage is better sheltered, particularly to the north, northeast and northwest
Rating: 
Click on Chartlet Below to Open a Chart View Window,
Centered on the Location of This Anchorage:
Comments from Cruisers (5)
On April 18, 2013, I anchored in the area referred to as Breakfast Creek. Plenty of room and good holding bottom. It was peaceful and quiet. Will definitely stop again.
Randy Hondros
Vernon River? Been there, done that, loved it. Good holding ground. I stayed put through the squall seen in this SBO post:
http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=148151&#post984707
I had two anchors out. The less experienced crew of a boat nearby just threw out one without really setting it and they only moved a little bit.
Next time south, I plan to explore farther up this river.
Roger Long
S/V Strider
This is a great place to anchor! There is a deep channel on the east side of the river, and a broad area to anchor in 8 feet on the west just downstream from charted Beaulieu; after checking the area we preferred anchoring there rather than in the deeper water from Beaulieu to Montgomery. There are several shrimp boats which seem to be permanently anchored in the area, and we anchored upstream from the two shrimpers. It is a great alternative to the marinas from Isle of Hope to Thunderbolt.
Bob McLeran and Judy Young
MV Sanderling
After a false start due to anchor dragging, we spent a pleasant night on the Vernon River last week (9/28). Our first attempt was near Beaulieu (N31d55.99m/W081d06.92m) in calm wind and ebbing tidal current. The hook set well for the first hour or so, but then an 8mph SSE wind and the newly incoming tide started us moving upriver. We relocated around the bend, past Breakfast Creek, to Montgomery (N31d56.25m/W081d07.69m) and stayed pegged to the spot in 7 feet (at low water) to 15 feet (at high water) through three tide swings. Next day we departed about one hour after high water and passage out the Ossabaw Sound north channel was pretty much routine.
Rick George, MV Hale Kai
Subject: Vernon River anchorage
Cruising News: The Vernon River northbound beyond Hells Gate, north of the ICW cut off heading to Isle of Hope, is a great anchorage with room for a number of boats. The depth on the northwestern side of the river runs around eight feet at low tide. Anchor in the shallow area just beyond the two “permanent” fishing trawlers.
Bob McLeran & Judy Young