When we left the docks at the Great Bridge on a cold, foggy morning, we knew we had a few days until we’d make it to Beaufort, NC. We cruised south on the ICW about 48 miles and anchored in the North River. From there, we made our way across a “sporty” Abermarle Sound to anchor in the Alligator River. From Alligator River, we cruised 53 miles to Sanders Point and then another 38 miles the next day to Beaufort, North Carolina. We arrived in Beaufort late afternoon and stopped at the marina for fuel and water before finding a spot to anchor in Taylor Creek. We love Beaufort (pronounced “BOH-fert”) for it’s cruiser-friendly dinghy docks and access to necessities like laundry and grocery. We spent 4 days there, provisioning, doing laundry and going for runs. We also visited Fishtowne Brewery again. It’s a couple blocks form the marina and they have an excellent selection of craft beers.
Our next destination was Georgetown, SC. We left Beaufort and went outside on the Atlantic to Wrightsville Beach. We dropped an anchor late in the day and headed out the next morning without going to shore. We took the ICW from Wrightsville to Southport and then outside on the Atlantic to Bird Island. Bird Island is right near the North Carolina and South Carolina border by Little River. It’s a lovely spot to anchor with views of beach and the ocean if there’s room. From Bird Island, we took the ICW 58 miles to Georgetown, SC. Georgetown has become one of our favorite little towns to stop along the ICW.
The last time we visited Georgetown (in May), they had closed down Front St. for the Food, Wine & Beer Festival. This time, they were preparing for the Wooden Boat Show. We walked the show both days and checked out the wooden boat building contest as well as the cardboard boat races. They also had a Nauti Dog costume contest as well. We would’ve entered Sophie in it if we had a nautical-themed costume for her. She got to meet lots of fur-friends and it was a great time. We’ve come to love small towns like this that are low on traffic and big on smiles. It’s also cruiser-friendly with free dinghy docks, walkable laundry and grocery and you can have packages delivered to the marina.
When we left Georgetown, Randy pulled up a very muddy anchor and chain then motored 21 miles to Five Fathom Creek. From there, we planned to go outside to Beaufort, SC. Once we got out of the inlet and realized that it was quite swelly and uncomfortable, we decided to go in at Charleston Harbor. From there, we took the ICW to Church Creek to anchor for the night. From Church Creek, we had 42 miles to reach Beaufort, SC. Once we got through the Lady’s Island Bridge, we stopped at the marina for fuel and water then anchored outside the mooring field there.
Beaufort (pronounced “BEW-fert”) and not to be confused with Beaufort, NC, is yet another popular spot along the ICW for it’s cruiser amenities. Once anchored, we did the normal stuff (laundry, provisioning, running) and we also visited our favorite local spot, Hemingways for a couple beers and live music. After enjoying Beaufort for 4 days it was time to head south to a new destination for us: Savannah. Stay tuned!
Chesapeake, VA (Great Bridge Lock) to North River (Camden Bay) = 47.5 nm North River (Camden Bay) to Alligator River = 37 nm Alligator River to Sanders Point = 53 nm Sanders Point to Beaufort, NC = 38 nm Beaufort, NC to Wrightsville Beach= 67 nm Wrightsville Beach to Bird Island = 57 nm Bird Island to Georgetown, SC = 58 nm Georgetown, SC to Five Fathom Creek = 21 nm Five Fathom Creek to Church Creek = 53.5 nm Church Creek to Beaufort, SC = 42 nm TOTAL miles to date: = 4,411.5 nm
