• Share:

Comments from Cruisers (1) Add Comment

1. James H Newsome -  September 16, 2019 - 11:10 am

   The natural beauty of the anchorage was off the charts. See attached pictures. Also, we had a nice ocean breeze blowing over Sapelo Island all night so we never saw a bug! There are times of the year that No-See-Ums or biting flies would have been a problem, but not last weekend. Sometimes tropical storms a few hundred miles away are a good thing.
   James H Newsome

   Reply to James

• Share:

Comments from Cruisers (1) Add Comment

1. Claiborne -  December 16, 2009 - 1:31 pm

   We are fogged in at an anchorage you described in your book, Redbird Creek, north of Florida Passage in Georgia. Great holding and depth just as you described. Nice save as we got fogged in yesterday
   afternoon just after Hell Gate.
   Captain Jane Tigar

   Reply to Claiborne

• Share:

Comments from Cruisers (2) Add Comment

1. Claiborne -  October 2, 2009 - 2:58 pm

   Anchored on Cane Patch Creek April 10, 2009 just north of a small patch of higher ground which effectively gave protection from south wind 10-15 mph. Anchored in 20 ft at low tide – had 100 ft of road out. Lots of swing room.
   Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE)

   Reply to Claiborne
2. Claiborne -  July 22, 2009 - 11:32 am

   At the Cane Patch Creek off the Buckehead River at 1 hour before Low, we found the center line depths to be at least 4 feet less than charted (still 12 feet, though). Starting with the charted 35 foot
   spot at the first “jog” depths ran truer to the chart.
   We anchored 2 hours before being blasted by a blue-green squalll with 52 knot winds from the west with the average wind in the high 30s for about 20 mins. We didn’t budge. (All chain, 50# Delta, 11+ ton sailboat.). We’d call this a hurricane hole — at least for winds. It’s too close to the coast and would be a storm surge sluice.
   CHRIS WALN
   S/V Briliant Star

   Reply to Claiborne

• Share:

Comments from Cruisers (1) Add Comment

1. Capt Bill, s/v Kittiwake -  November 6, 2009 - 4:55 pm

   A nice anchorage, certainly could be alot of bugs with right weather. Saw it listed as Birthday creek somewhere, though not on a chart.

   Reply to Capt

• Share:

Comments from Cruisers (8) Add Comment

1. Charlie Ridley -  May 18, 2016 - 5:43 pm

   5-14-16 Anchoered in Big Tom Creek about ½ mile in from MM613, Wide chanel and easy in and out of creek. Anchor set first try. Decent Verizon. Beautiful ssunset!! will stop here again. Charlie and Jackie on Traveler.

   Reply to Charlie
2. Don Bruce -  June 3, 2014 - 11:24 am

   Anchor here whenever I get the chance on my trips up and down the ICW. The hook sets first time, every time. Plenty of swing room. Bugs in the evening some times but sometimes no. The dalphins swim round the boat and you can hear them till late at night. I put the hook down exactly where it shows on the chart above.

   Reply to Don
3. Buzz Savage -  May 26, 2012 - 4:22 pm

   We anchored in the Wahoo River south of St. Catherine’s Sound just off the AICW last February and heard the same monster sounds. My wife got no sleep that night!
   Buzz Savage

   Reply to Buzz
4. Bob McLeran -  May 26, 2012 - 4:22 pm

   We hear those rumbling sounds all around during mating season here in Florida – mostly April and May. It would be unnerving if you’d never heard it before and didn’t know! The big guys can really belt out a roar!
   Bob McLeran

   Reply to Bob
5. Wally Moran -  May 26, 2012 - 4:21 pm

   oh my….glad I’ve got an aluminum dinghy, not an inflatable…
   Wally Moran

   Reply to Wally
6. max miller -  April 13, 2012 - 9:34 pm

   We anchored here on 4/8/2012. We dropped right over the 9 ft mark on the chart and the hook grabbed quickly. The charted depths are acurate. Deep side to side. Unnerving ‘monster sounds’ from shore in the middle of the night (cows snoring, I presume).

   Reply to max
7. Will -  April 12, 2012 - 10:13 am

   April is alligator mating season….noises you heard were gators bellowing!
   Will

   Reply to Will
8. Claiborne -  October 2, 2009 - 3:02 pm

   We are anchored on Big Tom Creek off the Bear River, just around the first turn to the northeast in 15 ft of water just past low tide. Plenty of swing room and nice views of Ossabaw Island. Aside from an occasional small powerboat, the only sounds are the birds and the dolphins in the creek.
   Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE)

   Reply to Claiborne

• Share:

Be the first to comment! Add Comment

• Share:

Comments from Cruisers (11) Add Comment

1. Gabe -  May 27, 2018 - 3:07 pm

   We were just here this morning. Entered and excited from st cats sound. Tons of water, easy in and out. Just give the green can a wide berth. It was a great anchorage with sandy mud at about 20 feet deep. Only complaint was there were 5+other boats overnight and over 50 boats on the nearby beach during the day.

   Reply to Gabe
2. Sharon and Ken Vogel -  July 18, 2013 - 1:25 pm

   Walburg Creek is a nice place to anchor between Brunswick and Thunderbolt. We found good holding and plenty of swing room. The only caveat is that it can be a rough ride in heavy wind when the tide and wind are at odds with each other.
   Sharon and Ken Vogel
   M/V Docker’s Inn

   Reply to Sharon
3. Peg and Jim Healy -  April 25, 2013 - 9:04 am

   Claiborne,
   Sanctuary and crew spent the night at Walberg Creek on 4/23/2013. We entered from the south. A very helpful find was that the south entrance, although an unmarked channel, does have a dredged channel that carries better than 12′. Northbound, draw a rhumb line from Red ICW marker “124A” to the 19′ sounding inside the charted shoal path at the mouth of the south entrance of Walberg Creek. That line will carry across a shoal sounding of 3.9′. It re-joins the dashed magenta line of the alternate ICW at that 19′ sounding. We followed that path and found 12′ or better on that rhumb line.
   The anchorage is excellent. Choose a place that protects you from prevailing winds. Some anchorage areas are shallow (7′ – 9′ at low tide), and some are deep (30′ at high tide). But, the creek is wide, there is little local boating traffic, Verizon WWAN is reliable, if slow, and there is plenty of swing room for 150′ of chain. The place is quiet, beautiful and remote. Magnificent!
   Jim
   Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary

   Reply to Peg
4. s/v Skye -  April 24, 2013 - 8:49 am

   Spent night of 4/16/13. Chicken to enter from the south and entered from 14′ depth across the middle ground. Anchored at 16′ depth in calm weather. Loved this anchorage, gave it 4 stars.
   s/v Skye

   Reply to s/v
5. kurt kuykendall -  January 3, 2012 - 9:38 pm

   Dear Claiborne,
   We departed Shelter Cove Marina, Broad Creek (MM 560)Hilton Head SC around 9am 12/28/11. The wind was really blowing so we decided to stay inside. It was sunny and pleasant making the days cruise very enjoyable. Around 4:30pm We crossed St Catherines Sound (MM 620) southbound into Walburg Creek. We dropped the hook about a mile down in 20 feet of water. In minutes I was sitting on the foredeck of our Silverton 37 with a strong cold drink, smoking a cigar absorbing the last minutes of a huge golden sunset.

   After a quiet night we were underway and heading out St Catherines Sound inlet into the Atlantic southbound for St Simons Inlet. Conditions were perfect as the wind was light with waves 1 ft.

   This anchorage is perfectly located in both distance from Hilton Head and St Simons Island and access to the Atlantic.

   Walburg Creek is a magic place!

   Best,
   Kurt Kuykendall
   M/V Jus Relaxin
   Silverton 37 Conv

   Reply to kurt
6. Ron & Audrey -  September 23, 2009 - 2:22 pm

   We anchored there late Nov. 2008 and liked it so well that we dropped anchor again on the way north in May 2009, Both times we entered from the northern entrance.
   We found it to be peaceful and uncrowded, plenty of swing room and good holding.
   It was so quiet we could hear the dolphins breathing as they swam by.
   We woulkd give this a 4 anchor rating
   Ron & Audrey
   Lucky Girl

   Reply to Ron
7. Jim Ague -  July 23, 2009 - 11:19 am

   We’ve anchored in Walburg Creek off of St Catherines Island. Nice little spot. I’d recommend it for solitude and holding. The island has a lot of history as does the other SC and GA barrier islands (Cumberland, Dafuskie, …) Do a Google search. Mostly abandoned, but still a little activity on the island.
   Either the west entrance or north entrance is easily doable, although the west entry is more puckering wondering where that shallow spot is. We wondered hard, but never found it.
   Jim Ague

   Reply to Jim
8. Captain Bobbie Blowers -  July 23, 2009 - 11:14 am

   Another of our favorite anchorages and….with a great “dog beach” as well – at least at mid to low tide! Go in about a mile for best water depth (Shallower=less rode) and enjoy the dinghy ride to the point by the ocean inlet. Beach reminds me of a movie set. Even those with the need for doggie duty should go experience it!
   Captain Bobbie Blowers

   Reply to Captain
9. Malcolm Farrel -  July 22, 2009 - 12:14 pm

   Anchored there Memorial Day night. Lots of folks on the beach at the St. Catherine Sound side, but they were gone by 1800. Entered via the southern cut. Took a straight line from near the #124 marker to the south side of the island (north side of the entrance channel), then stayed about 150 feet off the island. Never saw less than about 7 feet, which means there is probably about 6 feet at low tide. Tide was up about a foot and flooding. We essentially stayed on the outside of all the channel curves the rest of the way around the island to the north anchorage, plenty of water. Several 35 ft and above boats were anchored there for the night. Lots of room at the Northern end, but would not want to be there with northerly blow. A side note. We went out St. Chatherines Sound the next morning, near low tide. The charted depths are generous. The channel has filled in particularly at the far eastern end. 50’+ sail bounced near us on the way out. We saw depths of 7 to 8 feet. Tide was near low and there was an incoming 2 to 3 ft swell. Not a good inlet in the best of weather! Would not run that inlet again unless tide was making and at least half way up.
   Malcolm Farrel

   Reply to Malcolm
10. George and Ann -  July 22, 2009 - 11:56 am

    We’ve been anchored in beautiful Walburg Creek, GA the last few days, enjoying a wonderful full Thanksgiving dinner; one of those times we really appreciate our energy inefficient galley with full sized kitchen appliances. Gorgeous crisp fall weather enabled fun dinghy exploration. Took the outside route here from Thunderbolt via Wassaw and St. Catherine’s Sounds. This a quick and pretty passage we tried for the first time in the spring on the way up. Highly recommended as a change of pace, the islands are very pretty too.
    George and Ann

    We also anchored in Walburg Creek in the Spring of 08. What a beautifulplace. Your post brought back a vivid memory of beautiful marshland and fast moving currents. Just set the hook and watch your speed over water
    register about 3kts.
    Wayne

    Reply to George
11. Michael Porter -  July 22, 2009 - 11:41 am

    Dear Claiborne,
    Your concerns notwithstanding, we ran outside from Savannah and went into St. Catherines inlet with the intention of spending the night anchored in Walburg Creek, which we did. My chart is dated 2004, and I just couldn’t believe that the charted depths could have shoaled to where we could not get in with 5′ draft in 4 years.
    The only place where the buoyage is different from what my chart shows is the location of the FlR “2” buoy at the entrance to the channel over the bar. The buoy has been moved to the (approximate) location shown by my waypoint on the StCathEnt.jpg file. My arriving track shows how I adjusted to the edge of the shoal. I carried 12′ over the bar at dead low tide.
    In addition, the Middle Ground shoal off the north end of Walburg Creek has grown out to the east, and the shoal off the north end of St Catherines island has grown — both as shown in Walburg.jpg. We didn’t hit bottom on our arriving track, but we did see some 7′ depths, again at low-ish tide.
    We also came in through Ponce de Leon Inlet and by reading the markers, the water, and watching other boats we had no problems.
    Our best for the holidays, and thank you for your work with the sitge and guides.
    Michael Porter
    M/V Barbara

    Reply to Michael

• Share:

Comments from Cruisers (2) Add Comment

1. William Spouse -  November 4, 2011 - 2:36 pm

   Cruising News:
   2/Nov/11 Arriving at high tide in our 42ft sailboat, draft 5’6″, and taking note of previous information on shoaling, we turned into the Creek taking a centre line between the banks and proceeded down the centre of the creek approx 3/4 of a mile until waters started to shallow quickly to 7ft but up to that time we did not see less than 13ft on the depth sounder.
   We retraced our track and set anchor about a 1/2 mile above the entrance where we recorded 7ft at low water that night.
   3/Nov/11 Departing this morning at 1 hour before low tide we followed the south bank out – we registered good depths between 11-20ft. The creek is narrow and is best in a NE but where we anchored was adequate swinging room for us even at 42ft long. Excellent holding in good, thick mud.
   William Spouse

   Reply to William
2. Claiborne -  July 22, 2009 - 11:32 am

   At the entrance to Cattle Pen Creek, the shoal to the north seems have made out toward the channel. The USACE line on C-Map ran us through 7.7 foot (4.4 MLLW) water at half tide falling. A turn to port (northbound) found deeper water.
   CHRIS WALN
   S/V Briliant Star

   Reply to Claiborne

• Share:

Comments from Cruisers (5) Add Comment

1. Dick Litchfield -  May 24, 2010 - 11:54 am

   We spent a quiet night here on 12/03/09. Watch the shoaling at the entrance, especially the north side. We went up stream to find shelter from the wind. Recommend going upstream for protection and to avoid the swift current near the rivers mouth.. Holding appeared great and our danforth held giving us a peaceful night.

   Reply to Dick
2. Claiborne -  March 12, 2010 - 1:37 pm

   Spent a very quiet night here yesterday. We anchored in 17 feet at MLW with only a slight current and almost no wind. The anchor grabbed at once and set great. Very peaceful as has been the previous 3 times we’ve stayed here. This is a great protected spot for anything coming from the North or East.
   Larry Morrow

   Reply to Claiborne
3. Claiborne -  September 25, 2009 - 3:27 pm

   We anchored in the Wahoo River in June 2009. Great spot to anchor just south of Wahoo Island in about 18 feet of water with some wind protection from the north; no wind protection from any other direction. We did not anchor to the east of Wahoo Island; no particular reason other than getting the island to the north of us for wind protection from that quadrant rather than hanging out further east/southeast with no wind protection from any direction.
   Bob McLeran and Judy Young
   MV Sanderling

   Reply to Claiborne
4. Denny DeRanek -  September 3, 2009 - 10:12 am

   We also found Wahoo river to be a very good anchorage. WHile we were there a major squall came roaring through. We saw 30 knts of wind and the winds were clocking. But through the entire night the holding was EXCELLENT

   Reply to Denny
5. Claiborne -  July 22, 2009 - 11:58 am

   Subject: Georgia and south to Florida
   Cruising News: Hello Claiborne;
   We just returnied to Fort Lauderdale having stayed in Thunderbolt until our November 1 insurance date. We never saw less than 8 feet anywhere on theway through Georgia.We rae a slow boat and your uides make great reading while watching the boat go along.Here\’s a small update:Following your advice we anchored up Wahoo Creek and found it to be as advertised being as you promised beautiful, idyllic and possessing tangible isolation. This may not last long, however, for WAhoo Island has been wired for electrical service and the boxes can be seen in clearings just a couple hundred yards from where you show an anchor on page 420 of the sixth edition. It’s time to visit this lovely anchorage before the McMansions go up.
   Best regards,
   Fred SorensenOA 43
   “PENGUIN”

   Reply to Claiborne

• Share:

Be the first to comment! Add Comment

• Share:

Comments from Cruisers (5) Add Comment

1. Raymond W. Smith -  April 25, 2013 - 3:41 pm

   Yes, early 2013. Good depths and good holding.
   Raymond W. Smith
   “Fire Dog”

   Reply to Raymond
2. Harry Burns -  April 25, 2013 - 3:27 pm

   Claiborne,
   In response to your request for NE Fl/GA wish list here is New Teakeattle Creek:
   We anchored in New Teakeattle Creek on April 5, 2013 for our fourth vist as we were heading home to VA from Marathon on our 37′ sailing vessel. We typically anchor near the charted “13 foot'” mark, but have been further in or closer to the waterway when other boats are anchored. We find the depths to be effectively as charted, we anchor in the middle and use 75′ of chain in the water. We have been here with two other boats with lots of room. Expect to swing 180 degrees with the significant current. We have been here with a good 25 knots blowing steady and gusts to more. We slept well. A favorite spot.
   Harry Burns
   S/V Two for the Roads

   Reply to Harry
3. James Forsyth -  November 16, 2009 - 3:04 pm

   We anchored in New Teakettle last night, Nov 15, and got in just at sunset and near high tide. There were about 6 boats already there, and lots of room left over. We anchored in about 20′ at high water, and found the holding to be excellent. Not only that, but that chain and anchor came up clean! Lots of room to swing, and the chorus from the marsh creatures (frogs? birds?) was like nothing we’ve ever heard before, and this is our 6th or 7th trip on the ICW
   James Forsyth
   S/V Solution

   Reply to James
4. Capt Bill, s/v Kittiwake -  November 6, 2009 - 4:58 pm

   An anchorage I had always meant to try, but had never fit into my travel day. Planned it out, anchored up past Mary Creek about 0.5 mi, a little bit to port of the charted deep water, and had good anchorage, with 10-15 kts out of the NE.

   Reply to Capt
5. Doug & Charlotte Kerr -  July 22, 2009 - 12:01 pm

   Brunswick Landing Marina is nice and lots of cruisers here….book store and restaurants in town good.
   Doug & Charlotte Kerr
   Annapolis, MD
   s/v Abbotsford II

   Reply to Doug

• Share:

Comments from Cruisers (2) Add Comment

1. Claiborne -  October 2, 2009 - 10:44 pm

   I don’t have the benefit of having your new SC/GA Guide but if you haven’t included it already, you might share some information about visiting Sapelo Island. In order to visit, one must have a legitimate reason such as going on a tour, knowing someone on the island, being a guest of the Marine Institute etc. There are regularly scheduled tours through the Sapelo Island Visitors Center (tel: 912-437-3224) but they are only once or twice a week and one must take the ferry to get to the island ($10 for the ferry- don’t know if there’s a charge for the tour). However, the Visitor’s Center will provide names and numbers for some local guides who for fees ranging from $15 to $50 per person, will meet boaters at Marsh Landing and take them on a tour. Big boats can’t be brought to the dock, but it is OK to tie up a dinghy there and anchor the big boat in the Duplin River. We have arranged for a tour tomorrow for $25 per person (a reasonable fee for a three hour or so tour and it gives work to local residents) and will let you know how it goes. The ferry schedule can be found on line at http://www.sapeloislandgeorgia.org/ferry.html . It leaves from Meridian near the visitor’s center.
   There is lots of other information on line about what to see; just google Sapelo Island, GA.
   We have anchored on the Duplin River before, usually next to the higher ground of Little Sapelo Island but this time we are just north of the ferry dock. There is little breeze and lots of no-see-ums!
   That’s it for today. Coming up is the Little Mud River so I’ll give you an update on that later (we won’t do that at low tide- been there, done that!
   Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE)

   Reply to Claiborne
2. Claiborne -  July 22, 2009 - 11:48 am

   Hi, Claiborne.
   We just anchored in Duplin Creek, GA, between a landing and power lines. There’s an old dilapidated gazebo looking thing but to its left is a house that looks like it came out of To Kill a Mockingbird…and we’re pretty much in front of it. Do you know anything about it—if it’s abandoned (looks like it oughta be)…or what. Looks pretty scary to me! Doors’ll be locked tonite. Just curious about it and knew if anyone knew, t’would be you!
   Thanks,
   Laura Bender

   Reply to Claiborne

• Share:

Be the first to comment! Add Comment

• Share:

Be the first to comment! Add Comment

• Share:

Be the first to comment! Add Comment

• Share:

Be the first to comment! Add Comment

• Share:

Comments from Cruisers (1) Add Comment

1. Carl -  August 18, 2011 - 8:29 am

   Spent a nice night here in fair weather. Wide and deep, easily laid out 150 feet of rode and rode an easy circle with the tide changes. For as shallow as the chart shows the mouth of this river, a large shrimp boat came by me in the evening. And at dead low tide, at that. Local Knowledge!

   Reply to Carl

• Share:

Comments from Cruisers (1) Add Comment

1. s/v/Skye -  April 24, 2013 - 8:41 am

   Spent the night of 4/15/13 in South Altamaha River. Anchored just before first red day mark in fair weather. Good anchorage, gave it five stars. Had a scare when a tug/barge came north on ICW and appeared to be entering the creek at 2200 due to direction of the ICW. Will use this anchorage again.
   s/v/Skye

   Reply to s/v/Skye

• Share:

Be the first to comment! Add Comment