SMSA ICW Seminar: Topic 8-Marinas and Restaurants |
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Below is a list of possible marinas that we feel have some redeeming qualities. Since you know the Bay, I have not included any of the possibilities there.
Alligator River Marina: We frequently stop here if the weather is at all questionable. Miss Wanda gives a discount to RMHYC. It is a good place to catch up on some laundry, but not much else to do. Their fuel is usually the least expensive on the ICW. If we stop here, we usually try to get up a dock party among those going south.
Dowrey Creek Marina (Belhaven): We really like the folks who run this place. They have a courtesy car that you can take into town to go to the small Food Lion. Also a good place to do laundry. We have gotten so we skip Oriental's Marinas unless the weather precludes anchoring. There is really very little to see or do in Oriental unless you have a car. It is a l000ng walk to any grocery in Oriental.
Dudley's Marina (Swansboro): This is a working yard, nothing fancy at all. They do have a courtesy car that you can take to a Lowes Grocery. Lowes have really nice stores throughout N.C. We like to shop here for the stuff you cannot find at Food Lion.
Beach House Marina (Surf City): This is very convenient to a small IGA grocery (just your basics) and a few beach-type restaurants. And it is only two blocks from Surf City Beach.
Bucksport Marina (on the Waccamaw River): Stop here for the sausage, even if you do not stay the night. The barbeque in the restaurant is good.
Ashley Marina (Charleston); We like this better than the City Marina which caters to big boats. Ashley has a courtesy van that will take you to Harris Teeter Grocery (a really nice grocery) or will take you downtown to shop or for dinner. Charleston is usually a three-night stay for us; so we can hit some of the good restaurants, of which there are many (Poogans, SNOB, Blossom, etc.).
Downtown Marina (Beaufort): Beaufort is a nice place for an extra day. If you need groceries, borrow the courtesy car. Do not follow their directions to a "Save Mor" or some such store. Go across the bridge, about two miles after the bridge on your left to a very nice Publix Grocery. There is a very good hardware just about across the street from the Publix.
Isle of Hope Marina (south of Savannah): We really like this marina; very nice folks, nice area to walk. They have two courtesy cars that you can use to go to the grocery (a nice Publix), a super Walmart, a large wine store or to go out to dinner. Just tell the marina folks what you are looking for and they will give you directions. There is a good Mexican restaurant within biking distance, but take one of the courtesy cars. You can take a bus or get a taxi into Savannah. We like Jeckyll Island to sightsee--borrow a bike from the marina. No grocery near to marina; there is a small IGA at the beach. We like Fernandina just to walk about, lots of very good restaurants. No grocery.
Palm Cove Marina (Jacksonville): This is a nice marina, but watch you depths going in if it is low tide. From here you can walk to a nice Publix grocery and to several restaurants.
St Augustine Municipal Marina: We always spend an extra day in St Augustine to sightsee. No grocery.
Titusville Marina (Titusville): If you stop here, wash you boat thoroughly; the manatees usually will be attracted to the fresh water. There is a Say-a-Lot grocery within walking distance if you need any basics. This is an easy place to get propane.
Vero Beach Municipal Marina: Take a mooring. Everybody stops here to reprovision, although you can do it more easily in Ft Pierce if you choose. If you need anything other than food, this is a good stop. There is a city bus that will take you to Publix grocery, West Marine, Home Depot, Walmart, and more.
Harbortown Marina (Ft Pierce): Nice marina, It is a short walk to a nice Publix grocery. the restaurant at the marina is quite good. This is the end of our list since we head across to the Bahamas after this.
One of our favorite things about the ICW is finding the wonderful waterfront towns and their restaurants. Below are a few of our favorites.
Beaufort, NC - Aqua- a great tapas and wine restaurant
Bucksport, SC - Bucksport Restaurant --worth a stop to purchase the sausage, also excellent barbeque.
Charleston, SC - this city often causes a multi-day restaurant delay
Cafe Cru, 18 Pinkney --wonderful, eclectic food, you can choose to sit at a counter and watch the chefs.
Poogan's Porch, 72 Queen --low country food.
82 Queen, 82 Queen --low country food.
SNOB (slightly north of Broadway), 192 E Bay --eclectic low country food.
Mills House Hotel Restaurant, 115 Meeting --the best kept secret from the tourists, inexpensive, excellent food, great for lunch.
Hyman Seafood, 215 Meeting --the best seafood, but seafood only.
Beaufort, SC - Panterra-a very nice Italian restaurant (not the bread store)
Fernandina, FL - Bret's, right at the marina --good American menu. Espana -- Cuban, but other things as well