Anchorage Review for Charleston - North of Bridge

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on Feb 22, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Anchored here on the reputation that this anchorage is less fouled than the one south of the bridge. It's north of the 56' fixed James Island Expressway Bridge. We saw 54' at high tide when leaving the anchorage. Anchored near the Waterway Guide marker in about 15' of water. Good holding in switching current conditions. Current is about 3 knots. Did not experience significant wakes. I think most boaters slow down due to the marina right there. Anchor and chain came up easily with no fouling. Did not go ashore.

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Anchorage Review for Alligator River - Newport News Point

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on Nov 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Exposed to the north but good protection from every other direction. Good holding. Did not budge in steady ~30kt wind. You can go quite a distance away from the ICW to minimize wakes. No shore access, no lights, beautiful nights. No cell coverage.

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Anchorage Review for Machelhe Island - Pasquotank River

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on Nov 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Excellent anchorage with good 360° protection. A bit of fetch to the north but as another reviewer stated, there is also room northwest of this marker on the other side of the ICW channel. Not much wind protection due to the low lying surrounding land. No noticeable current. Nearby free docks are good for dinghy landing. Lots of good restaurants and bars in town. Only downside is that the grocery store is about 2 miles from the dinghy docks.

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Anchorage Review for Elizabeth City - Forbes Bay

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on Nov 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Good anchorage south of the bridge. Exposed to the east but otherwise good protection. A bit of a distance to town but doable with a good dinghy. Didn't not experience any notable wakes. People seem to go slow through this area.

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Anchorage Review for Three Mile Harbor

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on Sep 20, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Found Thee Mile Harbor to be a very good anchorage for relaxing and swimming. Once inside, the whole harbor seems available for anchoring. There are moorings scattered throughout the harbor, but no defined mooring field so anchoring anywhere else is easy. There is some water skiing and tubing activity during summer weekends and evenings, but for the most part, it is a quiet area. Only down side aboard was cell service (T-mobile) was spotty. Did not go ashore.

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Anchorage Review for Coecles Harbor - Shelter Island

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on Sep 20, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Would be a great anchorage if not for the policies of the local harbormaster. You are restricted from anchoring except for a marked zone that is a good distance from any shore access. The anchorage zone is large enough, and there is good protection. There are a few small restaurants in town but they are a long dinghy ride from the anchorage and then a long walk from the marina. It isn't at all clear why this anchorage is popular. There are better alternatives nearby.

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Anchorage Review for Bull Island

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on Aug 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

The inner harbor offers good holding and great protection from all directions. It's a small anchorage but room for several boats before the mooring field starts at the western end of the harbor and extending to the southwest. Holding is good but some areas of the harbor seem to have grass. However the protection is excellent with the surrounding wooded islands. The islands are private but there is a floating dock on Bull Island provided for pet walking or picnicking.

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Anchorage Review for West Harbor - Fishers Island

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on Jul 27, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Very good anchorage with excellent protection for winds except with a northerly component. Moorings are only present in the most south-western portion of the inner harbor. The southern and eastern part of the harbor has many rocks, mostly charted. The rest of the harbor is relatively flat at about 15-20' with excellent holding. Did not go ashore.

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Anchorage Review for Stonington Inner Breakwater

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on Jun 7, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

As the description says, the anchorage is a relatively small area just south of the mooring field. The anchoring area is marked with white buoys. The anchorage is quite rolly even in light breeze. Swell from the Atlantic makes it in to Fishers Island Sound and around the breakwater.
There is a floating dinghy dock just north of the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club. Not much in the way of shopping near the dinghy dock but there are several good restaurants.

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Anchorage Review for Charles Island

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on Jun 7, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Decent fair weather anchorage near a fun lower New England town. Exposed to the south and east. Can be a good place to anchor in a northerly, but if the wind veers northeasterly (which it almost always will in New England) the sound will kick up and make the anchorage untenable. In calm conditions it is a good spot. Will be crowded on weekends and summer holidays. Downtown Milford can be accessed via a town dock all the way up at the north end of the harbor on the east side near some baseball fields. Groceries are available from several stores, all about 1.5 miles from the dinghy dock. Many good bars and restaurants within walking distance as well.

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Anchorage Review for Bristol Harbor

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on Jun 5, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Very good anchorage with a nice town and great visitors center. You can anchor south of the mooring field. Anchorage has good protection except from the south. The harbormasters office has clean showers, coin laundry and vending machines. Several small grocery stores in town and many good restaurants right near the waterfront.

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Anchorage Review for Saturn Barge Channel

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on May 13, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Easy anchoring anywhere east of the barge channel going north from the marked spot. Not much wind protection since the surrounding land is low lying. Very little to no current in this area due to the lock. Be aware of the 65' overhead cables near G15 if you have a tall mast.

Terrific place to watch a launch from Kennedy Space Center.

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Anchorage Review for Green Turtle Cay - White Sound

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on May 13, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Heard the holding here could be sketchy and there was a front coming so we took a mooring. Other boats came in and anchored and seemed to hold well in the 20-30 kt wind.

Went ashore do dive at Brendals which was an excellent experience.

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Marina Review for Conch Inn Yacht Club & Marina

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley , Argyle, on May 13, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Visited in 2021 while they were still rebuilding. Came in for a day to top up and water and do laundry, stayed an extra day.

Very helpful and friendly staff. Great location. Excellent new docks. Understand the place is rebuilt and quite beautiful now. Would definitely go back.

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Anchorage Review for Royal Island

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on May 13, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Great anchorage for waiting out weather window north or timing a passage through Current Cut.

Was not as crowded as expected, around 4 or 5 boats each of the four days I was there. Room for plenty more. Holding seemed decent but good protection regardless.

Seemed like everything ashore was private property so didn't go.

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Anchorage Review for Shroud Cay North

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on May 12, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Be careful to avoid shallow sands outside of the anchorage. Once in the anchorage area, there is good protection from ENE to SW. Good holding.

The saltwater creeks that flow through north part of the cay are stunningly beautiful. With the right light they positively glow. Can get quite shallow at low. Easy beach access.

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Anchorage Review for Pipe Cay Marina Channel

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on May 12, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Good anchorage in prevaling easterlies, but not much protection otherwise. There are some small islands scattered around the anchorage that would offer minimal protection. Holding seemed good in sand and clay.

Interesting place to explore. As mentioned there are ruins of an old communication station. Otherwise, you can walk across to the beautiful flats on the east side of the cay and wade out for nearly a mile in shin deep water.

Terrific stop in the right weather.

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Anchorage Review for Big Majors Spot (West)

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on Jun 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Not as crowded or crazy as I expected. Had plenty of room and good holding. Also didn't seem to be as rolly as other anchorages in the Exuma's. Dinghy'd to Thunderball Grotto and Staniel Cay from here.

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Anchorage Review for Black Point Settlement

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on Jun 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Great small town, average anchorage at best. As a few others have stated, it gets very rolly when you would not expect it. Even in a moderate SE breeze, there was quite a roll in the anchorage. The town is small but very accommodating. Lorraine's is a must stop, especially if there is an event going on. Minimal shopping available at a couple of small stores. The view from the blow hole is spectacular.

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Anchorage Review for Rock Sound Settlement

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on Jun 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Might be the best anchorage in the Bahamas. Great place to make a 'home base' in any case. Wherever the wind is coming from, you can find a spot with minimum fetch and good holding. Good grocery store is about 1.5 miles from the dinghy dock (north on the main road), but closer if you dock at Frigates. Great protected place to relax for a while. Don't miss cathedral caves about a mile south of the town dock.

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Anchorage Review for Governors Harbour

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on Jun 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Did not have any trouble with holding in Governors Harbour. Anchored in two locations. First, at the north end of the anchorage near French Leave, then about in the middle, about 500 yds. north of the marker. Was able to get our 45 lb. Manson Boss to dig in both times. Going slow with the backing down was the key. Good grocery store and restaurants on shore.

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Anchorage Review for The Beach Club

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on Jun 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Would be good in a westerly, but with even a mild (5-10kt) southerly, the anchorage was very rolly.

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Anchorage Review for Rat Cay/Cistern Cay

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on May 26, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Great open anchorage with good holding and protection from the N through SE. Since it's wide open there's always going to be room. Depths get shallow near the northern end of the anchorage, around 7-10' through most of the rest of the anchorage. Shore access is possible through the government docks nearby, or in to Great Harbour at the marina.

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Marina Review for Flamingo Bay Hotel & Marina

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley , Argyle, on May 26, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

Nice place to stop, especially for the price. It's quite a bit farther from the restaurant/tourist area so you'll want to have a dinghy available to get over there easily. There is a good grocery store about 1.5 miles or so from the marina and another, larger grocery store about 3 miles away. While at the marina you have access to a beautiful resort beach across the road. The water was free but of questionable quality as of February 2022.

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Anchorage Review for Ginn Sur Mer

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on May 26, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Great if not a bit strange stopover anchorage before or after West End. It Gin Sur Mer is an abandoned development where the condo/dock area has been dredged but nothing built. There is complete protection from the sea and there is no current. Good wind protection but not quite a 'hurricane hole' since the surrounding land is relatively low. Holding seemed to be good during backing down. 3/5 stars simply because there is nothing ashore at all and I believe it is private property. Room for plenty of boats.

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Marina Review for Old Bahama Bay Resort & Yacht Harbour

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley , Argyle, on May 26, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 3

This is a decent marina in a great location. The marina is located in a little resort with a beautiful beach with a great straw hut restaurant/bar right on the beach. There is also a very good restaurant on site. It is an easy place to clear in/out with customs right on site as well.

On the down side, the bathrooms are in terrible condition and they charge either $10 or $15/day for water, which quite a lot for most cruisers. This makes the effective dockage cost a bit on the expensive side.

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Anchorage Review for Nowell Creek

Reviewed by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on Nov 18, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Anchored farther south than this marker, just south of the abandoned dry dock. Stayed here for two nights during some windy conditions from the west. Holding was excellent even though the gusts and current made the boat swing significantly. No shore access as it's in a marsh area. Small local boat traffic. Exposed to the Wando River to the south.

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Bridge comment on 6th Street (Spa Creek) Bridge

Comment by: Eric Stanley, Argyle, on Sep 29, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'

Shows up as 6th Street bridge in Aquamaps. Should be renamed Spa Creek bridge per the bridge tender.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  The CFR's and MDOT list this as the SR181 Bridge.

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