Reviews from Pat & Kathy (23)

Marina Review for Morningstar Marinas Golden Isles

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy , Puffin, on May 6, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Stayed here for 2 nights in early May, 2024. Mary was great in helping us dock and fuel up. Free bike use was a key for us as it allows access to the island. There is a restaurant on site for dinner and a Coffee Shop for breakfast and lunch. Laundry is very affordable. (

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Anchorage Review for Duplin River

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy, Puffin, on May 5, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Stayed 1 night in early May. We were the third boat passed the ferry dock. Good holding in mud/sand. Quiet and no wakes. Looks like there is a dinghy dock on the ferry pier.

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Anchorage Review for Church Creek - New Cut Landing

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy, Puffin, on Apr 28, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Stay here one night in late April 2024 on the way north to Charleston. Wind was 10-15 from the East so there was a little chop. We anchored near the mouth of the creek a couple hundred feet west of the lone mooring ball. Plenty of swing room. Another vessel was inside further. there is roo for many boats here. Holding was good in mud and it was comfortable during the night. Only 19 NM from Charleston so it allowed us to pick tides for departure.

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Marina Review for Palmetto Bay Marina

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy , Puffin, on Apr 25, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Great stay in late April for 3 night. Docking was easy as docks are parallel to current. Very convenient to restaurants. We borrowed the marina bikes and went to the coastal museum 5 stars) one day and to the beach and Publix the next. Hilton Head has extensive bike and walking trails. Nice bathrooms, free laundry, fuel and pump out completed the amenities. Enjoy snowcones at Chris's and view his Lego collection. Sean gave expert direction on exiting Broard creek at marker 31. We saw no less than 10 feet on a rising tide.

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Anchorage Review for Skidaway River

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy, Puffin, on Apr 23, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Stayed here for 2 nights in mid April on a weekend. There is room on the west side for several boats both north and south of the No Wake sign. You are off the ICW but small power boats will pass on both sides of you regardless, so you will have wake. The depth is good to the marsh but you will experience the 180 current swing. Holding seemed good during the swings. Several other boats were here when we were here. There did not appear to be any close places to get ashore. Note that you cannot dock at the UGA Aquarium.

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Anchorage Review for Turtleneck bend

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy, Puffin, on Apr 23, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

We were looking to anchor here but we felt it was too close to several docks in the area and the main channel of the ICW. We ended up just north at the Skidaway anchorage.

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Marina Review for Brunswick Landing Marina, Inc.

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy , Puffin, on Apr 23, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

We docked here for 2 nights in mid April. It was easy to get to and the staff was very helpful getting us in and orientated to the area. There does not seem to be too much current in this area. The historic Downtown is 1 block away and has shops and restaurants. We ate at Reid's Apothecary and Bubba Garcia's. Both were great. There are many other choices if you have more time. The bathrooms were good and they are located at either end. Laundry is free. The marina fronts a large park so it was very pet friendly and also had a large fenced dog park. The marina hosts happy hour several times a week and we just happened to be there for the April birthday celebrations. It was fun and we got to meet great people. Easy fuel and pump out on the way out. What more could you ask for!

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Anchorage Review for Daytona - Seabreeze North

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy, Puffin, on Apr 21, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Stayed here 1 night in April to get out of a 15-20knot south wind. You have to tuck in between the shore by the bridge and the cable crossing sign. There is not too much room here. Maybe 3 boats could fit. Holding was good. We did not go to shore but the dock is close by. good in East through South winds.

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Marina Review for Marineland Marina

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy , Puffin, on Apr 21, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Stayed here April 11th for 2 nights. Eric called twice before we came to make sure of our arrival time so the tide would not be an issue. We had no issues entering the marina at about 1/2 tide. I saw no less than 7.2 feet entering mid channel from the South. We were in dock 42 which was somewhat shallow with soft mud. We had a problem leaving but just waited for higher water and had no problems getting out. It is a great area and we enjoyed a few hours at Marineland. Beach access is easy right across the street. There is also a great (5star) food truck, Ragga Surf, that we highly recommend. Pump out was easy too and at our slip.

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Anchorage Review for Powell Cay

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy, Puffin, on May 29, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Anchored here for 2 nights in May 2023. Good holding and room for East wind Protection. There are trails on the North end of the island as well as the western beach. You can hike to beaches on the East side and around the south point during low tide.

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Anchorage Review for Great Sale Cay-West

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy, Puffin, on May 29, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Good holding in 8 - 10 feet. We stopped on the way to the Abacos. Easy entrance from the West and exit to the east without going around to the NW anchorage. Plenty of room for an overnight stop. Shore is accessible to a rocky beach.

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Anchorage Review for Great Sale Cay - Northwest Harbor

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy, Puffin, on May 29, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Good Holding in 8 - 10 feet and a nice stop between West End and the rest of the Abacos. Room for plenty of boats. We did not go ashore but west beach looks nice.

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Anchorage Review for Great Harbour - Berry Islands

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy, Puffin, on Sep 13, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Anchored here 2 different times in May 2022. Favor the west side towards Goat Cay for deeper water. Good wind protection but there is a swell from the northeast.

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Anchorage Review for Lignumvitae Cay, Berry Islands

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy, Puffin, on Sep 13, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Follow the east shore of Goat Cay to enter. Depth was no less than 6 feet. Good holding. Much calmer here with no swells than in the Harbor SW of Great Stirrup Cay. Great Cell service as you are close to Cruise Islands. Working boats pass here but we did not experience much noise or wake issues.

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Anchorage Review for Little Harbour Cay North

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy, Puffin, on Jun 1, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Spent 2 nights here in May 2022. The anchor on the map does not represent the deeper water. There are 2 local mooring balls located west of Little Harbor Cay. The best spot is between these "Balls" (Which maybe all of 6 inches in diameter. Very quiet and peaceful as most people seem to anchor farther North near Hoffman's Cay. This area is sand surrounded by grass so it is easy to see the sand spots in 7 - 8 feet of water for good anchor holding. Good protection everyway but open to the west. To the south is Flo's Conch Shack. Worth a dinghy ride to Flo's just to see the sea turtles and Starfish. Going north by dingy are great beaches at Devils Cay and Big Gaulding Cay. Farther north past Saddleback and Fowl Cay you can get to Hoffmans Cay and the Blue Hole.

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Anchorage Review for Comfort Cay

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy, Puffin, on Jun 1, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Spent 2 nights here in April 2022 and 2 in May. Water was 7 - 9 feet with good holding in Sand. Moderate cell coverage here. Quiet but occasional boats and jet skis passed by. Comfort Cay is a private island and there is no beach. To the southeast of Comfort Cay we found a small beach at a small Cay near Guano Cay. This is close to Flo's Conch Shack if you dinghy around the southern tip. Note that there are lots of sea turtles and starfish near Flo's. Cell phone is fair here. We came on the inside route from Soldier Cay to the North and Cabbage Cay to the south. Both are rising tide routes following the VPR routes.

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Anchorage Review for Lake Worth R2

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy, Puffin, on Jun 1, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Spent a few nights here on the way to and from the Bahamas in April and May 2022. Tucked to the West of the Channel about 150 feet and 200 - 250 feet south of R2. This is a convenient place to stage trip to Grand Bahama. There is the current here that trumps the wind but holding is good in 8 - 12 feet of water. Water is clear on the incoming tide so it is a good place to inspect/clean your bottom before/after trips. Peanut island is a nice trip if you are waiting for weather. Shore access at Riviera Marina (fee). There may be others we are not aware of. The port is close and it is very well lit. Makes it easy for pre-dawn departures. Beware of large vessels entering and exiting harbor as well as holding positions off shore during darkness.

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Anchorage Review for Wabasso Bridge

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy, Puffin, on Jun 1, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Stopped here in Early April and Late May 2022.
Good Holding in 8-12 feet between bridge and Dock to the south. There are 2 derelict boats in the anchorage but both are in shore somewhat so they did not hinder anchorage. It should hold another 2 - 3 boats. There is shore access in a couple of places that I could see. Does not seem to be too much tide or current here. Protection good, especially from North to West and South. Good place to stop for a night.

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Anchorage Review for Peck Lake

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy, Puffin, on Jun 1, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Stayed here 1 night on our way back up the ICW. Only 5 boats here this night but passed here about 2 months ago and there were a dozen boats. Good cellphone coverage (Verizon) and easy beach access via dinghy. Good protection from the East but probably all around if needed. Yes there are wakes but they are not too bothersome.

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Anchorage Review for North Newport River - Walburg Creek

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy, Puffin, on Jun 30, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Anchored here is mid-June 2021. We anchored near the north end of the mouth of the river just South of St. Catherine's sound. 15-18 feet of depth MLW. Protected from east wind by the island. Far enough from both the shore to the East and the marsh on the west to be bug free. Some small fishing boats passed by but that was not an issue. Holding was very good with the changes in tides.

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Anchorage Review for Cumberland Island

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy, Puffin, on Jun 29, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Stayed 2 nights just north of the Sea Side dock on June 24, 2021. Good holding and depth in mid channel. Easy dinghy access to either sea camp or Dungeness docks.

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Free Dock Review for Jim King Park at Sisters Creek Marina

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy, Puffin, on Jun 29, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

Stayed here one night in June 2021. Depending on the tide it is fairly tight to turn around. No one was here when we arrived so we made the turn to face back to the ICW for an easier exit. However the current and wind pushed us off the dock so it was a bit tricky to tie up. We assisted another boat later that evening who also was pushed away from the dock. Easy walk to the adjacent park but not much else there.

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Marina Review for New Smyrna Beach City Marina

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy , Puffin, on Jun 29, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

This was our third transient stay here. Service was great and it was easy to call and make the booking. John was a great help getting us in and providing the information we needed for our stay. Good internet. Clean restrooms. Close to canal street shops and restaurants and not too far to Flagler avenue and the beach. All walkable.

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