Reviews: Mill Creek-Phoebus

Review for Mill Creek-Phoebus

Reviewed by: Jason Spitz, Breathe, on Sep 17, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

This is a wonderful anchorage as you arrive or depart the Chesapeake Bay. Excellent wind protection NW to ESE. We spent 4 days here with winds consistently 15kt+ all days from the NE to E, with two days of 20-30kt+ winds. The anchorage was fairly smooth in the 15kt+ range and only a bit bumpy in the 25kt+ range. Extremely comfortable for catamarans. Some rocking for a small monohull that was closer to the bridge. We anchored to the East side of the channel, not to the west as per the marker. You can anchor anywhere between Fort Monroe/Old Point Comfort and the Tunnel approaches. As of 9/17/24 construction is still ongoing at the tunnels but noise was minimal. The dinghy dock is in excellent condition and makes for an easy walk to visit the Fort (a must) or to visit Phoebus, which boasts an architectural walking tour by phone (see sign by dinghy dock or around town). We saw at least one boat use the Old Fort Comfort dock, which we did not personally visit. There's plenty of room for dozens of boats here.

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Review for Mill Creek-Phoebus

Reviewed by: Jill Bockenstette, Pelagia, on Oct 14, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 45'
Draft: 5.5'

We have stayed here a couple of times now. Great public dinghy dock just under John P Mugler bridge with access to downtown area. Great for dog walks. A Food Lion is 0.7 miles away. Will stay here again.

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Review for Mill Creek-Phoebus

Reviewed by: Sean Welsh, Vector, on Nov 14, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 52'
Draft: 6.0'

We've stayed here several times, as it is a good arrival or departure point for Chesapeake Bay. Holding is good and the free dinghy dock provides access to a handful of restaurants and shops. NOTE: most of the area between the bridge/tunnel and the Phoebus Channel is inside a marked cable area. We are always careful to set the hook just east of the boundary line. Also, for the duration of bridge work, there is an off-limits safety zone adjacent to the bridge; coordinates are in the Federal Register. It's supposed to be marked by buoys but I have never seen them. If freeway noise bothers you, this is not the anchorage for you.

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Review for Mill Creek-Phoebus

Reviewed by: Randy, Nourish, on Nov 10, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.5'

Just know you may need to set the hook a few times to get a hold. Our first time here we found one of the sloppyier areas and ended up dragging about 50 yards, in 25kt winds) before we hooked up again. Talk to some locals and they pointed out the better areas to drop hook.
This time we had saildrive issues so backing down on a single screw was not fun. But we did get hooked up and just into for a big blow (gusts to over 30kts) and we stayed put.
Great food in Phoebus and a Food Lion about 3/4 of a mile walk from the dinghy dock.
Next to the Old Comfort Point marina in a boat launch with a dumpster in the parking lot.
And a must is walking to Fire House Coffee in Ft Monroe. Very dog friendly. (there are a couple dog groomers in Phoebus)
Post Office and VFW are an easy walk as well as the great food.

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Review for Mill Creek-Phoebus

Reviewed by: Paul Smyers, S/V Nova, on Oct 25, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

We used this as a day anchorage for a few hours. There is quite a lot of city noise, especially from the bridge, and the construction being done there now.

The holding was very good, but it is rather open to wind. We had a minor amount of current flow, and a bit of wake from passing boats but they were all operating respectfully slow.

The anchorage area is pretty large and would take quite a few boats to fill it. There were only two other boats here while we were here.

You're in the city - cell coverage is great.

We were told that there might be cables on the bottom, but there's nothing on the maps and we had no problems.

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Review for Mill Creek-Phoebus

Reviewed by: Barrington Ed on Jun 19, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 34'
Draft: 5.7'

We stopped here because the Chesapeake was getting "a little too sporty" for the crew. Winds from the NW at 20-25ks. We anchored in about 18 feet of water with several other boats. We rocked and rolled, but the anchor held well in less than ideal conditions. Not much to look at, other than the highway.

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Review for Mill Creek-Phoebus

Reviewed by: Scott A Westwood on Apr 21, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 32'
Draft: 4.2'

Free Dinghy dock next to a Catholic school. Dinghy dock is North toward Phoebus. Go under the short bridge. You can't really see it until you are just up to the bridge. Nice dock and we rode our bike over to Hampton. Best walk is to your left but Phoebus is small and not much we saw except some nice old homes. Did not venture much in Phoebus (went to Hampton) so can't say more. If you stop here you have to go see Ft Monroe and walk along the waterfront and go inside the free fort. Walk up on the walls and see the moat. Nice day trip or just the afternoon.

Anchor held fine but we got slimy mud so have a good washdown. Same mud we got all over Chesapeake so far.

Good Verizon cell coverage.

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Review for Mill Creek-Phoebus

Reviewed by: Tom Hale on Jul 1, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.5'

Very convenient anchorage, close to the ICW. It is open enough to have a decent breeze in hot weather and yet protected enough to cut the breeze and waves in a southwest wind. What really sets this anchorage apart is the new dinghy dock in Mill Creek. dinghy dock is right in town. Short walk to restaurants, shops and theater. It is about 10 block walk to Food Lion grocery.

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Review for Mill Creek-Phoebus

Reviewed by: Skipper Bob on Jun 1, 2016
Draft: 0.0'

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