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Reviews: Shell Island

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These are observations from the boating community. Waterway Guide information is verified regularly and all efforts will be made to validate any new updates submitted here. Thank you for taking the time to share comments about your experience.

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Holding:
4.33
Good, Soft Mud
Wind Protection:
4.30
Somewhat Exposed Northeast
Current Flow:
3.56
Wake Protection:
4.20
Somewhat Exposed Northeast
Scenic Beauty:
4.11
Ease of Shopping:
1.00
Shore Access:
1.00
Pet Friendly:
1.00
Cell Service:
3.25
WiFi:
1.00

  • Review for Shell Island

    Reviewed by: Mike Johnson, Serenity, on May 26, 2024
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 43'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    1
    Wake Protection:
    3
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    1
    Pet Friendly:
    1
    Cell Service:
    3

    Nice deep water anchorage out of the way of GIWW traffic. Anchored in about 12 feet of water (just past high tide) and the holding was solid. The Sabine River current will oppose a southerly breeze almost suspending you over your anchor. We had a good breezy overnight that kept mosquitos at bay, but I can imagine they would be vicious on a calm night.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

  • Review for Shell Island

    Reviewed by: Anita Robinson on Mar 19, 2024
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Cell Service:
    4

    We stopped here for an overnight stay while heading east. There were a few crab pods to dodge but overall it was a safe anchorage for the night.

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  • Review for Shell Island

    Reviewed by: David Fuller, Still Waters II, on Nov 21, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 43'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Cell Service:
    4

    We stopped back here on our eastbound voyage back to Florida. Conditions unchanged from before.

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  • Review for Shell Island

    Reviewed by: David Fuller, Still Waters II, on Jan 5, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 43'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    3
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Scenic Beauty:
    4
    Cell Service:
    3

    As we entered the area where the anchor icon is located we began to see two parallel strings of crab pots that ran the whole length east-west of the Anchorage. With strong south winds forecast, we dropped anchor near the south shore and backed towards Shell Island. The current then kept us parallel with the shore and away from the crab pots which were more in the middle, halfway between Shell Island and south shore.

    The anchor held well in soft mud, and came up clean in the morning.

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  • Review for Shell Island

    Reviewed by: William OBrien, At Last, on Feb 7, 2021
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 45'
    Draft: 6.0'

    Overall Rating:
    5

    Great and easy anchor. Tugs were on opposite side of the island. Wonderful sunsets and views.

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  • Review for Shell Island

    Reviewed by: First Mate Nate on Jan 1, 2021
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 60'
    Draft: 6.0'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    1
    Pet Friendly:
    1
    Cell Service:
    4

    Great spot to anchor right off of the ICW, just on the south side of this small island. Plenty of room and depth. We anchored close to the island for wind protection. This spot was beautiful at sunrise, including viewing some local wildlife. Note: you do have to keep an eye out for crab traps anchoring and leaving. Definitely would stop here again.

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  • Review for Shell Island

    Reviewed by: Len Barton on Nov 5, 2020
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 41'
    Draft: 5.0'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    1
    Pet Friendly:
    1
    Cell Service:
    3
    WiFi:
    1

    The last time I was here I anchored in the spot just south of here. This is an excellent Anchorage. There are a few fast boat wakes but for the most part it’s crab fishermen that frequent this place. Spent two nights. Very nice

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  • Review for Shell Island

    Reviewed by: Tim M on Jan 11, 2020
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 35'
    Draft: 4.5'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Scenic Beauty:
    4
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    1
    Pet Friendly:
    1
    Cell Service:
    1
    WiFi:
    1

    Anchored night of 2 Dec 19. Good protection from wakes in most of the anchorage. Good depth and swing room except there are a LOT of crab pots. Holding was good in soft mud, but winds were light so didn’t really put it to the test.

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  • Review for Shell Island

    Reviewed by: Len Barton, Short Dog II, on Nov 27, 2018
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 44'
    Draft: 3.0'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    3
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    1
    Pet Friendly:
    1

    This is a very comfortable anchorage with room for a number of boats. Quiet, scenic and well protected. We spent Thanksgiving here and were the only vessel here.
    We are on our 44 foot sportfish boat but we are also world cruisers on our sailboat. I wouldn’t hesitate to anchor here in our sailing vessel either.

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  • Review for Shell Island

    Reviewed by: Chris Himmelheber on Dec 22, 2017
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 36'
    Draft: 5.5'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    4

    I stayed just one night, and had no trouble here. The depths that I found were all around 10-12 feet, but they extended pretty close to shore on the East side. A few small boats zipped by during early evening, but after that there were no wakes at all. The bottom is soft mud, and there was practically no current. Be aware that there are small buoys lined up along both shores, but I found good depths beyond those on the East side. On the West side it got shallow pretty fast.

    Also, this is a marsh, so the mosquitoes are fierce.

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  • Review for Shell Island

    Reviewed by: Dan Marks, SV Mil Da Mar, on Nov 9, 2017
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 36'
    Draft: 4.5'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Scenic Beauty:
    4
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    1
    Pet Friendly:
    1
    Cell Service:
    4
    WiFi:
    1

    Tucked tight up against this little island, you will hear the pushers going by, but will not be bothered by them. Great place for a night's sleep after the long eastbound stretch from Galveston, or westbound before Galveston. Although, with room and time, still recommend Peggy's on the Bayou up Cow Bayou. Can't beat it for hospitality. We still drive by and say hi to Richard and Peggy when in the area.

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