Anchorage Review for Cumberland Island South

Reviewed by: Julie Moeller, Sweet and Salty, on Nov 11, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 3.5'

My only complaint about this anchorage was it was soooo buggy! We got eaten alive by no-see-ums when pulling the anchor in the morning.

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Bridge comment on F.J. Torras Causeway Bridge

Comment by: Julie Moeller, Sweet and Salty, on Nov 9, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'

There are still no height boards. We passed under with air draft of 63.5 ft. plus antenna, just after high tide (+6.5 ft). The water was just about to the top of the 3rd fender board and we cleared with our antenna scraping.

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Anchorage Review for Beaufort - Taylor Creek

Reviewed by: Julie Moeller, Sweet and Salty, on Oct 23, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 3.5'

Great anchorage. We stayed several nights. We had lots of swing in a crowded spot, but had beautiful views of the historic town and island. Many dolphins came to jump alongside our boat. and we saw four wild horses on the island. Lots of tour boats come RIGHT BY your boat throughout the day, giving some wake. On Saturday mornings there is a farmers market to walk to after a short dinghy ride to town. Get there early as they run out of the baked goods. The Piggly Wiggly grocery store is about a one-mile scooter or bike ride north of the docks. However, there is a small corner market (Big Daddy Wesley's) you can easily walk to that has milk, eggs, butter, etc. (for high prices). You can get a $3 shower at Beaufort Docks Marina. Carteret County also has an inexpensive public transportation system (CCATS) where you can get a ride into Morehead City, for instance, for $4 per way. This came in handy for urgent care visits that I needed (way cheaper than Uber). You just need to schedule your ride the morning before. I would definitely stay here again!

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Free Dock Review for Oriental Town Dock #1 - Free Dock

Reviewed by: Julie Moeller, Sweet and Salty, on Oct 10, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

We had a great stay here. Since there are only 2 spots on dock #1 and 2 spots on dock #2, we couldn't find space on our first attempt so we anchored out. The city has a Harbor Cam that updates a picture every 5 minutes that faces dock #1 so you can keep checking to see if there is an available spot. We got a spot the next day and stayed Monday and Tuesday nights. Unfortunately, a lot of the stores and restaurants aren't open until Thursday. West Marine is closed Sunday & Monday. The Oriental Marina & Inn offers showers for $5 and they provide towels, soap, shampoo, and hairdryers. Very nice! We got freshly caught flounder to cook from Endurance Seafood, had a nice dinner at M&M's, and Inland Waterway Provision had GREAT wine prices and were super friendly. Nautical Wheelers is a super cute two-story store/house that had a little bit of everything, like clothes, knick-knacks, and wine. There is a Piggly Wiggly a mile down the road that is open every day. The Bean coffee shop seems to be the town hangout place and you can hear people talking on the porch early in the morning if you have your windows open. Only negative we had was that the flies were CRAZY. I counted about 30 flies we swatted inside our boat when we had the sliding door open.

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Free Dock Review for Belhaven Town Docks at Cooperage Landing

Reviewed by: Julie Moeller, Sweet and Salty, on Oct 10, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Since we are a catamaran and wide, we opted to anchor just off the free dock. Nice protected anchorage near the bridge that has pretty red & green lights at night. I took a fabulous sunset picture here. Only complaint is when we woke up in the morning, mosquitoes were EVERYWHERE. They were all over our sliding door and Isinglass. The flies were thick too, but they may have hitched a ride from our previous location.

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