Our anchorages in the ICW
We have made nine trips up and down the ICW. Bonnie and I both love the ICW. If you are not having fun and are getting stressed SLOW DOWN. Learn how to use the tides to help you and in southern North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Georgia has eight foot tides and that can be a help and a problem.
We have watched and listened to a number of people making the trip and a we have learned a few things.
Less than 6 hour days
Capt and Crew Happy
6 to 8 hour days
Capt and Crew starting to work
8 to 10 hour days
Capt and Crew UNHAPPY
10 and up
Capt and crew near divorce
We have seen a few couples not complete the trip due to long days. We both love the ICW, average 30 mile days, and have our anchor down by 3:30pm. If you stop before you get tired, you will make less mistakes. Mistakes are the things that cause the most stress. If you stop before everyone else, you have your choice of where to put your anchor.
Here are all of the anchorages and marinas that we have stopped at during our trips up and down the ICW. If you are doing the trip for the first time there are a couple books that are very useful Skipper Bobs Anchorages and Skipper Bobs Marinas. KEEP YOUR OLD COPY anchorages seem to come and go. Get the current update from the web. (There is a link off our links page)
Name of Anchorage
Mile
S0
N1
F2
S3
N4
S4
N5
S5
N6
Comments Codes are S0(South 2000) N1(North 01) F2(Fall 02) S3(South 03) N4(North 04) S4(south 04) N5(North 05) S5(South 05) Fuel means just a quick fuel stop
N6(North 06)
Norfolk VA
0
X
X
X
X
X
–
–
–
–
End of trip
Deep Creek Basin
8.5
–
–
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
Just after the Yacht Storage place, road noise
Deep Creek Lock
10.5
–
–
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
Quieter than wall
Deep Creek Lock Wharf
10.6
–
–
–
–
X
–
–
–
–
Quieter than wall but between lock and bridge so you’re there until one or the other open
Deep Creek Wall
11
–
–
X
–
X
X
–
–
–
Groceries nearby. Often we stop but may not sped all night.
Dismal Swamp Visitor Center
28
X
X
X
X
X
X
–
–
X
Worth a stop ask for boater’s package
Goat Island
43
X
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
pretty spot good for staging into Elizabeth city
Elisabeth City
51
X
X
X
X
X
X
–
–
X
Rose Buddies
South Lake
82.1
–
–
–
–
X
–
–
–
–
A long way off ICW but protected
Alligator River Marina
84
X
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
fuel and laundry
Alligator River Deep Pt.
102.2
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
X
Bigger than Bear Pt
Alligator River Bear Pt.
103.2
–
–
–
–
–
X
–
–
X
Filled up early
Upper Dowery Creek Anchorage
132
X
–
–
X
X
–
–
–
X
Just beyond Dowery Creek Marina
Upper Dowery Creek Marina
132
–
X
–
X
X
X
–
–
X
NICE Marina (we almost always stop)Cleanest on ICW
Broad Creek
173.5
X
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
like south river better
South River
178.3
–
–
–
X
X
–
–
–
–
Large area and good protection
Cedar Creek
187.5
–
–
–
–
–
X
–
–
X
Can be full with a lot of wakes.
Beaufort Docks
204
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Visit the Museum
Spooners Creek
210.5
–
X
–
X
X
X
–
–
–
Great spot
Mile Hammock Bay
244.5
X
X
–
X
X
X
–
–
X
Stay away from marine docks, they are active
Sloop Pt (Topsail Beach)
263.8
–
–
–
X
X
–
–
–
X
Anchor between Island and marsh
Wrightsville Beach
283
X
X
–
–
X
–
–
–
–
Much deeper than charted
Pipeline Canal
311
X
X
–
X
X
X
–
–
X
Aground going out but pushed through, wait for tide if you can see rocks in channel to port.
Calabash Creek
341
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
NC SC border
Barefoot Landing
354.4
X
X
–
X
X
X
–
–
X
Rafting expected, not free anymore
Prince Creek
382.6
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
X
Beautiful
Throughfare Creek (Guendalose Cr)
388.9
–
–
–
X
–
–
–
–
–
Tight and snagged a stump maybe better in Thoughfare cr
Throughfare Creek
388.9
–
–
–
–
–
X
–
–
–
Is better in Thoughfare Cr
Georgetown Landing Marina
403
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
up from coast guard base expect to be boarded
Minim Creek
415.4
–
X
–
X
X
X
–
–
–
Nice Spot
South Santee River
420.1
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
X
Minim Creek has better protection
Price Creek
448
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
You get to be the highest part of the world at high tide
Whiteside Creek
451.5
–
–
–
X
–
–
–
–
–
Trees here
Big Hill Marsh
454.9
–
–
–
–
–
X
–
–
–
ok but a ways off the track.
Ashley Marina Charleston
469.4
X
X
–
X
X
X
–
–
X
Taken over by Dockuminiums may not be available in future
Johns Island RR Bridge
480
–
X
–
–
X
–
–
–
–
Let anchor settle
Tom Point Creek
495.5
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
X
Not easy to spot
Rock Creek
516.1
–
–
–
X
X
X
–
–
–
Brickyard Creek
530.4
X
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Loud airshow possible from marine base
Ladies Island Marina
535.9
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
X
Walking distance to food stores, restaurants etc
Downtown Marina Beaufort
536.3
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Thunderbolt Marine
583
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Savannah used to be called Palmer Johnson
Herb River (Thunderbolt)
584
–
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
X
Nice Spot
Redbird Creek
606.5
–
–
–
X
X
X
–
–
–
Nice Spot might try Queen Bess cr next door
Cattle Pen Creek
625.5
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
X
New Teakettle Creek
646.6
–
–
–
–
X
–
–
–
–
better than Duplin if you don’t need protection
Duplin River
649.3
–
X
–
X
–
X
–
–
–
Sheltered east and West (Bad in a front)
Frederica River @ fort
667.4
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
X
Pretty but useless dingy dock at low tide
Jekyll Harbour Marina
684.3
–
–
–
–
X
–
–
–
–
We loved the tour of the houses.
Shellbine Creek
697.5
–
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Brickhill river
703.8
–
–
–
X
X
X
–
–
X
Great spot, wild horse in morning stay center to starboard on way in
St. Mary’s River
712
–
–
–
–
–
X
–
–
–
Very friendly place if a bit off the track
Fernadina Harbour Marina
716.5
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Boat run down in channel near anchorage, 1 killed
Ft George River
735
–
–
–
X
X
–
–
–
X
good spot, East has more wind protection but current eddies
Jacksonville Beach Marina
747.4
X
X
–
–
–
–
–
X
fuel
fuel and Laundry we often stop for fuel but not to stay
Pine Island
765
–
–
–
–
–
X
–
–
X
Better but more popular than Tolomato river
Tolomato River
769.5
–
X
–
X
X
–
–
–
–
Nice Spot
Comachee Cove
775.9
–
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Better than St Aug Municipal Docks. Easy Fuel stop
St Augustine
778
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Great City to explore
Cement Plant
809.1
X
X
–
X
X
X
–
–
X
Cement Plant gone SeaRay very active
Power Basin
841.7
X
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Busy with barges may not be available
Mosquito Lagoon G19
861.3
–
–
–
X
–
–
–
–
–
Very Calm weather anchorage
Haulover Canal
869
–
–
–
–
X
X
–
–
X
VERY Tight with very little swing room. Tie to tree.
Kennedy Point Yacht Club
883
X
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Space Shuttle Launch was worth it!
Indian Harbor Beach(Dragon Pt)
914
S0
–
–
–
X
–
–
–
X
Sometimes not friendly
Eau Gallie Yacht Basin
914
–
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Very Pretty, very little water
Melburne Bridge
918
X
–
–
X
–
X
–
–
–
Rolly anchorage and mileage off
Vero Beach Municipal Marina
951.7
X
X
–
X
X
X
X
X
X
Shared Moorings nice place, fuel dirty
Manatee Pocket Stuart
987.9
X
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Boats are crazy and rude
Peck Lake
992.2
–
–
–
X
X
X
X
X
X
Busy but lots of room.
Lake Worth Anchorage
1014.2
X
X
–
X
–
X
–
–
–
Very busy spot some stay for months
Lake Worth Entrance
1018.4
–
X
–
–
X
X
X
X
X
departure to abacos and arrival from bahamas here
Rybovich Spencer Marina
1019.8
–
–
–
–
X
–
X
–
–
Nice spot to to use to clear in
Lake Boca Raton
1047.8
X
–
–
X
–
–
–
–
–
great protection but bridges are a pain get first one south of lake before it goes on schedule
Hollywood Marina
1072
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Current can be hell and dockhands unrealistic in expectations of what a sailboat can do.
Bakers Haulover Inlet
1079.7
–
–
–
X
–
–
–
–
–
Nice spot caught a snag on anchor
Crandon Park Marina
1092
X
–
–
X
–
–
–
–
–
CSI Miami is here on occasion
NoName Harbour
1096
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Left at midnight, a bit later ok.
Elliot Key
1112
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Avoid leaving at low tide
Angelfish Creek
1120
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Alternate departure point for Bahamas
Tarpon Basin
1140
X
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Near John Pennencamp State Park
We have made nine trips up and down the ICW. Bonnie and I both love the ICW. If you are not having fun and are getting stressed SLOW DOWN. Learn how to use the tides to help you and in southern North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Georgia has eight foot tides and that can be a help and a problem.
We have watched and listened to a number of people making the trip and a we have learned a few things.
| Less than 6 hour days | Capt and Crew Happy |
| 6 to 8 hour days | Capt and Crew starting to work |
| 8 to 10 hour days | Capt and Crew UNHAPPY |
| 10 and up | Capt and crew near divorce |
We have seen a few couples not complete the trip due to long days. We both love the ICW, average 30 mile days, and have our anchor down by 3:30pm. If you stop before you get tired, you will make less mistakes. Mistakes are the things that cause the most stress. If you stop before everyone else, you have your choice of where to put your anchor.
Here are all of the anchorages and marinas that we have stopped at during our trips up and down the ICW. If you are doing the trip for the first time there are a couple books that are very useful Skipper Bobs Anchorages and Skipper Bobs Marinas. KEEP YOUR OLD COPY anchorages seem to come and go. Get the current update from the web. (There is a link off our links page)
| Name of Anchorage | Mile | S0 | N1 | F2 | S3 | N4 | S4 | N5 | S5 | N6 | Comments Codes are S0(South 2000) N1(North 01) F2(Fall 02) S3(South 03) N4(North 04) S4(south 04) N5(North 05) S5(South 05) Fuel means just a quick fuel stop N6(North 06) |
| Norfolk VA | 0 | X | X | X | X | X | – | – | – | – | End of trip |
| Deep Creek Basin | 8.5 | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | Just after the Yacht Storage place, road noise |
| Deep Creek Lock | 10.5 | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | Quieter than wall |
| Deep Creek Lock Wharf | 10.6 | – | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | Quieter than wall but between lock and bridge so you’re there until one or the other open |
| Deep Creek Wall | 11 | – | – | X | – | X | X | – | – | – | Groceries nearby. Often we stop but may not sped all night. |
| Dismal Swamp Visitor Center | 28 | X | X | X | X | X | X | – | – | X | Worth a stop ask for boater’s package |
| Goat Island | 43 | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | pretty spot good for staging into Elizabeth city |
| Elisabeth City | 51 | X | X | X | X | X | X | – | – | X | Rose Buddies |
| South Lake | 82.1 | – | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | A long way off ICW but protected |
| Alligator River Marina | 84 | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | fuel and laundry |
| Alligator River Deep Pt. | 102.2 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | Bigger than Bear Pt |
| Alligator River Bear Pt. | 103.2 | – | – | – | – | – | X | – | – | X | Filled up early |
| Upper Dowery Creek Anchorage | 132 | X | – | – | X | X | – | – | – | X | Just beyond Dowery Creek Marina |
| Upper Dowery Creek Marina | 132 | – | X | – | X | X | X | – | – | X | NICE Marina (we almost always stop)Cleanest on ICW |
| Broad Creek | 173.5 | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | like south river better |
| South River | 178.3 | – | – | – | X | X | – | – | – | – | Large area and good protection |
| Cedar Creek | 187.5 | – | – | – | – | – | X | – | – | X | Can be full with a lot of wakes. |
| Beaufort Docks | 204 | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Visit the Museum |
| Spooners Creek | 210.5 | – | X | – | X | X | X | – | – | – | Great spot |
| Mile Hammock Bay | 244.5 | X | X | – | X | X | X | – | – | X | Stay away from marine docks, they are active |
| Sloop Pt (Topsail Beach) | 263.8 | – | – | – | X | X | – | – | – | X | Anchor between Island and marsh |
| Wrightsville Beach | 283 | X | X | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | Much deeper than charted |
| Pipeline Canal | 311 | X | X | – | X | X | X | – | – | X | Aground going out but pushed through, wait for tide if you can see rocks in channel to port. |
| Calabash Creek | 341 | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | NC SC border |
| Barefoot Landing | 354.4 | X | X | – | X | X | X | – | – | X | Rafting expected, not free anymore |
| Prince Creek | 382.6 | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | Beautiful |
| Throughfare Creek (Guendalose Cr) | 388.9 | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | Tight and snagged a stump maybe better in Thoughfare cr |
| Throughfare Creek | 388.9 | – | – | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | Is better in Thoughfare Cr |
| Georgetown Landing Marina | 403 | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | up from coast guard base expect to be boarded |
| Minim Creek | 415.4 | – | X | – | X | X | X | – | – | – | Nice Spot |
| South Santee River | 420.1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | Minim Creek has better protection |
| Price Creek | 448 | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | You get to be the highest part of the world at high tide |
| Whiteside Creek | 451.5 | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | Trees here |
| Big Hill Marsh | 454.9 | – | – | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | ok but a ways off the track. |
| Ashley Marina Charleston | 469.4 | X | X | – | X | X | X | – | – | X | Taken over by Dockuminiums may not be available in future |
| Johns Island RR Bridge | 480 | – | X | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | Let anchor settle |
| Tom Point Creek | 495.5 | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | Not easy to spot |
| Rock Creek | 516.1 | – | – | – | X | X | X | – | – | – | |
| Brickyard Creek | 530.4 | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Loud airshow possible from marine base |
| Ladies Island Marina | 535.9 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | Walking distance to food stores, restaurants etc |
| Downtown Marina Beaufort | 536.3 | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| Thunderbolt Marine | 583 | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Savannah used to be called Palmer Johnson |
| Herb River (Thunderbolt) | 584 | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | Nice Spot |
| Redbird Creek | 606.5 | – | – | – | X | X | X | – | – | – | Nice Spot might try Queen Bess cr next door |
| Cattle Pen Creek | 625.5 | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | |
| New Teakettle Creek | 646.6 | – | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | better than Duplin if you don’t need protection |
| Duplin River | 649.3 | – | X | – | X | – | X | – | – | – | Sheltered east and West (Bad in a front) |
| Frederica River @ fort | 667.4 | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X | Pretty but useless dingy dock at low tide |
| Jekyll Harbour Marina | 684.3 | – | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | We loved the tour of the houses. |
| Shellbine Creek | 697.5 | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| Brickhill river | 703.8 | – | – | – | X | X | X | – | – | X | Great spot, wild horse in morning stay center to starboard on way in |
| St. Mary’s River | 712 | – | – | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | Very friendly place if a bit off the track |
| Fernadina Harbour Marina | 716.5 | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Boat run down in channel near anchorage, 1 killed |
| Ft George River | 735 | – | – | – | X | X | – | – | – | X | good spot, East has more wind protection but current eddies |
| Jacksonville Beach Marina | 747.4 | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | X | fuel | fuel and Laundry we often stop for fuel but not to stay |
| Pine Island | 765 | – | – | – | – | – | X | – | – | X | Better but more popular than Tolomato river |
| Tolomato River | 769.5 | – | X | – | X | X | – | – | – | – | Nice Spot |
| Comachee Cove | 775.9 | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Better than St Aug Municipal Docks. Easy Fuel stop |
| St Augustine | 778 | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Great City to explore |
| Cement Plant | 809.1 | X | X | – | X | X | X | – | – | X | Cement Plant gone SeaRay very active |
| Power Basin | 841.7 | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Busy with barges may not be available |
| Mosquito Lagoon G19 | 861.3 | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | Very Calm weather anchorage |
| Haulover Canal | 869 | – | – | – | – | X | X | – | – | X | VERY Tight with very little swing room. Tie to tree. |
| Kennedy Point Yacht Club | 883 | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Space Shuttle Launch was worth it! |
| Indian Harbor Beach(Dragon Pt) | 914 | S0 | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | X | Sometimes not friendly |
| Eau Gallie Yacht Basin | 914 | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Very Pretty, very little water |
| Melburne Bridge | 918 | X | – | – | X | – | X | – | – | – | Rolly anchorage and mileage off |
| Vero Beach Municipal Marina | 951.7 | X | X | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | Shared Moorings nice place, fuel dirty |
| Manatee Pocket Stuart | 987.9 | X | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Boats are crazy and rude |
| Peck Lake | 992.2 | – | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | X | Busy but lots of room. |
| Lake Worth Anchorage | 1014.2 | X | X | – | X | – | X | – | – | – | Very busy spot some stay for months |
| Lake Worth Entrance | 1018.4 | – | X | – | – | X | X | X | X | X | departure to abacos and arrival from bahamas here |
| Rybovich Spencer Marina | 1019.8 | – | – | – | – | X | – | X | – | – | Nice spot to to use to clear in |
| Lake Boca Raton | 1047.8 | X | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | great protection but bridges are a pain get first one south of lake before it goes on schedule |
| Hollywood Marina | 1072 | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Current can be hell and dockhands unrealistic in expectations of what a sailboat can do. |
| Bakers Haulover Inlet | 1079.7 | – | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | Nice spot caught a snag on anchor |
| Crandon Park Marina | 1092 | X | – | – | X | – | – | – | – | – | CSI Miami is here on occasion |
| NoName Harbour | 1096 | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Left at midnight, a bit later ok. |
| Elliot Key | 1112 | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Avoid leaving at low tide |
| Angelfish Creek | 1120 | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Alternate departure point for Bahamas |
| Tarpon Basin | 1140 | X | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Near John Pennencamp State Park |