Reviews: Duplin River

Review for Duplin River

Reviewed by: Ann Beardsley, sv Kathryn, on May 6, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 37'
Draft: 4.2'

Wonderful anchorage from which to explore a Gullah-Geechee community, but it's a long walk. Two mile walk to the Reynolds Mansion, but be advised a tour should be arranged in advance. We tried anchoring near the edges of the Duplin River, but the anchor wouldn't catch. It finally caught closer to the center of the river, in line with the anchoring symbol. lots of motorboat/wake during the day, but nights are calm.

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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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Review for Duplin River

Reviewed by: Captain Gene, Galene, on Apr 8, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

April 7 2024 Four boats anchored for the night here this time. Good holding and wide enough for good amount of swing room. Moderate current for Georgia. Some wakes but not many especially considering this was a nice sunny Sunday. ATT Verizon coverage OK but weak. Good off air TV signals into our antenna. Observed anchored boat taking dog in dingy to ferry dock. Some bugs when we first anchored but not so bad after awhile. Previous reviews helpful and accurate

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Review for Duplin River

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Feb 29, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

I initially dropped anchor near the anchor icon with a very strong wind from the west. Unfortunately, the land west of that spot is just tall grasses so there was no protection from the wind, although waves were not an issue. My anchor dragged and my boat swung enough for me to look for another solution, so I went upstream a bit where there are some tall trees and dropped anchor close to shore there. What a difference! Very calm water, no swinging other than tidal currents. Very protected and good holding. The big drawback of this anchorage for me was that access to shore at the ferry dock was difficult with zero protection from wind and wind-driven waves there. The wind and current made it difficult to tie off to the dock so I went onto the beach. What looks like a sandy beach on satellite view is a thick layer of oyster shells that could damage a rubber-bottomed boat. I think this might be a good anchorage in calmer conditions, but if it's rough and you have a need to go to shore, I don't recommend it.

I also wish conditions were nicer so I could have followed up on some of the suggestions offered by Janet (May 31, 2022 reviewer).

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Review for Duplin River

Reviewed by: Abroad Reach on Mar 17, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 37'
Draft: 4.5'

Good holding and anchor came up very clean. Exposed to the S/SW. Make sure to anchor past the ferry dock as they really move and throw a pretty large wake. There is a small dock on the south side of the ferry dock to tie up to and take a dog to shore. Not a lot nearby but did the trick for a dog-friendly stop!

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Review for Duplin River

Reviewed by: Janet Gannon on May 31, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 37'
Draft: 6.0'

A few notes about going ashore. You can go ashore in 2 places. The first is at the Ferry dock. In a southeast blow this isn't advised however. There are bathrooms and water available at this site but it's not very scenic. If you have bikes, though, you can head over to the UGA campus, the Reynold's Mansion, or Hog Hammock. You also can rent a golf cart from Sapelo GO (912-266-4848), or sign up for a tour with the DNR, call the DNR visitor center (which is located on the mainland, (912) 437-3224). You can also go ashore by dinghying upriver and taking the first creek on your right (Barn Creek), at the T in the creek go south. Pass the first dock you see (that's for residents), pass the second dock (that's for UGA vessels), and then you will come to the DNR dock. At present there is a Pacific Seacraft 34 on it; you can dock there for awhile. From there you can walk to the DNR visitor center and post office. Much nicer than the ferry dock.

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Review for Duplin River

Reviewed by: Gena Olson on May 17, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

We anchored past the ferry landing, which would be a good doggie place. Quiet. 20 ft even at low tide. Put out 120 ft rode. We turned completely around with tide. Plenty of room for boats. Anchor came up clean.

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Review for Duplin River

Reviewed by: Lisa Mister, Lisa Anne, on Mar 18, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.5'

This is a great stop if you have a dog and need shore access, but don't like to trudge through the Georgia mud banks at low tide to do it. It's also a great place to just get off the boat and stretch your legs. Great holding in mud, typical 1-1.5 it Georgia urgent flow. Protection from east and west winds with trees and marsh grasses. Ferry dock is new and you can dock your dinghy on the smaller dock closest to land. Gorgeous sunsets, easy access to Doboy inlet if you want to jump offshore, or come in from a long days run.

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Review for Duplin River

Reviewed by: Tom Hale on May 19, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.5'

We have anchored just north of the ferry dock many times. There is the typical GA current flow of perhaps 1 or 1.5 knots at max flow. It is open to the southwest, but so far we have never had a bad night here. Dinghy to the ferry dock and take a hike on the island. There are men's and women's' heads at the ferry dock. No showers.

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Review for Duplin River

Reviewed by: Skipper Bob on Jun 1, 2016
Draft: 0.0'

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