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Reviews: Bennett Creek
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Review for Bennett Creek
Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel on Oct 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'Overall Rating:4Holding:5Wind Protection:2Current Flow:2Wake Protection:4Scenic Beauty:4Ease of Shopping:1Shore Access:2Pet Friendly:2Cell Service:5Cape May is a nexus for everyone going north or south through New Jersey. In season it is not unusual to have ten to twenty transient boats in marinas and at anchor in the harbor. The anchorage of choice is in front of the Coast Guard Training Facility and, during the season, there can be as many as twelve to fifteen boats anchored there. With the change of tides and all the boats swinging in their own fashion, change of tide can be a real tense situation. We decided a year ago to look for a more tranquil alternative and discovered Bennett Creek, less than two miles up the New Jersey Intracostal, above Two Mile Bridge. It may take a bit of extra time to get there, but once anchored, it is bliss in comparison. Turn to the west into Bennet Creek between Green 473 and Green 471 with no less than 12' MLW at the entrance and then 20' MLW in the channel, rising to about 12' at the icon which is just before the remains of an old fishing vessel that partially blocks the top of the channel. We anchored in 14' MLW, just south of the anchorage icon with good holding while facing a 1 mph incoming current that kept us straight with the creek, even with the west wind. Holding is excellent and there are no waves or wakes but, as the anchorage is in the marshes, there is no protection from the wind. We settled in for a two day stay, waiting out 20 mph+ winds coming down Delaware Bay. The tide keeps you oriented with the channel. Bennett Creek is in the middle of a bird nesting ground and is on the Atlantic flyway so, if you are birdwatcher, break out your binoculars. Cell service was very good. We did not try to get to shore. On leaving the anchor chain came up clean, the anchor came up with a lovely hunk of mud on the flukes, but we also had a ghost crab pot that required untangling, cutting off, and dropping into deep water so that it could not bother anyone else. Make sure you have a good rope knife.
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Review for Bennett Creek
Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel on May 21, 2023
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'Overall Rating:4Holding:5Wind Protection:2Current Flow:2Wake Protection:4Scenic Beauty:4Ease of Shopping:1Shore Access:2Pet Friendly:2Cell Service:5Turn north into Bennett Creek from the NJ ICW between Green 473 and 471 at approximately mile marker 110.5. Staying center channel you will go over an 8 feet MLW hump at the entrance and then return to depths of twenty feet. Continue up the channel 0.4 miles with water depths shoaling to 10 feet MLW. Anchor with good holding in mud and a reversing 2 mph tidal current that will keep you aligned with the creek. There is room for four to six boats in a single line. There was little traffic and no wakes during our stay but we also note that there is a jet ski rental business around the corner in Sunset Cove. There is probably going to be activity on good days in season. The anchorage has no wind protection but good relief from wakes and waves. We had 25-30 and had no issues. There is no local shore access but you may be able to land your dinghy at one of the two marinas located a mile and half up the ICW. Cell reception is excellent for all carriers. The anchorage appears to be in the middle of a sea bird rookery. The noises we heard were from the thousands of nesting terns and seagulls. This is definitely a more relaxing place to spend a day or two waiting on the weather than anchoring in downtown Cape May.
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