Savannah to Jacksonville or Jacksonville to Daytona?

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Author Topic:   Savannah to Jacksonville or Jacksonville to Daytona?

Highwater posted 05-14-2002 10:52 PM ET (US)
My wife and I are taking a trip on our 13' June 20-26 but we have not decided where to go. At first we thought we would go from Jacksonville to Daytona, but now we are thinking Savannah to Jacksonville. Has anyone in this group made these trips? Would the Intercoastal be more narrow (and therefore less choppy) south of Jacksonville than it would be north of Jacksonville? Is it easier to walk to an Atlantic beach from the Intercoastal in Florida than it is in Georgia? Are there more hotels along the Intercoastal in Florida than there are in Georgia? Thanks in advance for the advice.
jameso posted 05-15-2002 10:58 AM ET (US)
I have not made the trip all at once but have been on most of the sections from Savannah to Jax. Not a lot of beach access from the ICW, Not a lot of gas places from Savannah to Brunswick. If you have not tried this type trip before let me suggest maybe Darien to Fernandian Beach for starters. Great place to spend the night in St. Marys GA. email me if you like.
Jim Armstrong
jameso posted 05-16-2002 08:39 AM ET (US)
You might also consider a St. Johns river cruise, This is something I have wanted to do for a couple of years, maybe this fall.
Jim Armstrong
Highwater posted 05-16-2002 01:35 PM ET (US)
My eldest daughter (now age 8) and I did the St. John's River trip two years ago. We camped out on the state park on the island in the river (can't think of the name of it right now) and went up to Sanford where we hitch-hiked in to the Sanford zoo. Great trip. But this is an "adults-only" trip and we want to be near the beach so that we can pull the Whaler over to the side of the ICW, walk across a short strip of land, and be on the Atlantic. I think that there are some areas south of Flagler Beach where we can do this. We will not camp this trip. We are looking for nice hotels and bars that we can visit by water. All ideas are appreciated. Thanks!
Draftmanswife posted 05-16-2002 03:44 PM ET (US)
Draftsman and I do the St. John's River trip on occasion, from DeLand up to Jax, then back down the ICW to Daytona. We usually stay the first night in Palatka, at the Holiday Inn, where you can pull your boat right up to your room. We then usually stay in St. Augustine for a night, at one of the many hotels, and then come on home the 3rd day. Getting thru St. Augustine is real tricky, especially after dark. You must have a gps in order to find your way thru in the darkness. Anyway, sounds like a lot of fun!
Take care,
Janis
Highwater posted 05-19-2002 09:03 AM ET (US)
We have decided to travel by boat from Savannah to St. Augustine in five days (June 20-25). If anyone knows of reasonably-priced rooms on or near the ICW that are near a safe place to moor the Whaler for the night, please advise. Does anyone care to join us?
jameso posted 05-20-2002 02:41 PM ET (US)
I highly recommend the River View Hotel in St. Marys GA. (912 8823242)Great older classy place with a GOOD resturant, rates are 55-60 with breakfast. The municipal dock is within sight and a good safe place to tie up. I do not think there is a fee if you only RON.
North of Brunswick on the Altamaha, try to find time for lunch at 'Mud Cat Charlie's'
This is located at 'Two Way Fish Camp' no lodging but great place to eat and stretch your legs, check out the Whalers from the Federal Law Enforcement Center that dock there and some wonderful original art work by Jack Davis of Mad Magazine fame on the walls in the dining room.(912-261-0055)
Marina at Jekyll Island also has eats but not the atmosphere of 2 Way.
I understand there is a new Hampton Inn in Fernandina Beach, do not know about the dockage there, they have a large mud flat near the docks and are alwys crowed when I have been there.
Be advised that we have some strong,,, read that 6 feet or so tides. What is now 8 feet of water in 12 hours can be 2 or less.
I might join you for a day or so, Jim Armstrong
Highwater posted 05-20-2002 09:15 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the excellent information, Jim. We are having a lot of fun planning the trip. We would love to have you join us! We will leave Savannah on Friday morning, June 21.
jameso posted 05-26-2002 10:11 AM ET (US)
Check out the 'Whalers at Amelia Island' in the General Section.
Jim
Highwater posted 05-27-2002 11:46 PM ET (US)
This weekend, my wife, two daughters and I went down the Waccamaw River in South Carolina and up the Cape Fear River in North Carolina. The two "day trips" made me realize that my wife is not going to enjoy doing more than 30 or 40 miles per day on the boat. So I have given up on the idea of starting in Savannah because it seems to me that there is not a good place to stop south of Savannah until you get to St. Simons Island (please correct me if I am mistaken). So we are now thinking we will start at St. Simons and go from there to St. Augustine. The Amelia Island thread has so much useful information that we may not make it any further south than that :)
compounder posted 05-28-2002 08:17 PM ET (US)
I've been thinking about a trip from Charleston SC up the ICW into the Waccamaw and up to Conway to spend the night.
Tell us about your trip on the Waccamaw.
jameso posted 05-28-2002 08:43 PM ET (US)
Highwater,
I am of the same mind as your wife 40+ miles per day in a 13 is near my limit.
I suggest launch near St Simons and go South, maybe RON two nites in St. Marys explore the area even a short trip to Fernandina Beach and return to St. Simons area.
I suggest you launch at Troup Creek Marina, or Blythe Island regional park. Blythe is probably best, no facilities except launch and gas. It is located N of hwy 17 just off I-95, This will put you in the Turtle River that forms the Brunswick River that seperates St. Simons froM Jekyll. You will be approx 30 mins from the Jekyll marina. On the GA coast I always try to use a sling launch, well worth the 3-5 bucks, remember the tides!
Of course you could also launch at Two Way this would add 12+ miles.
Another note, Little Cumberland is a private island and I have heard of the people that live on the North end actually coming down and ordering people off the beach and even telling them they could not anchor next to shore, I have never had a problem but then I don't make it a habit of using "their" beach, Also note the difference in the North end of these islands compared to the South ends. The islands are moving North several feet a year, makes for different vegetation ect.
If possible I plan to see y'all somewhere on this trip.
Jim Armstrong
Highwater posted 05-28-2002 10:27 PM ET (US)
Compounder, thanks for asking about the Waccamaw. I will start a new thread with that name in the title so that other people who may be interested in that river can more easily find the discussion.
Jim, I like all of your ideas except one: I am hoping that we will not have to turn around at some point in the trip and head back to where we started. My wife and I will be bringing two cars and will leave one down south (St Augustine?). I'll keep studying the charts. Thanks for the suggestions and look forward to meeting you!

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Author	Topic: Savannah to Jacksonville or Jacksonville to Daytona?
Highwater	posted 05-14-2002 10:52 PM ET (US) My wife and I are taking a trip on our 13' June 20-26 but we have not decided where to go. At first we thought we would go from Jacksonville to Daytona, but now we are thinking Savannah to Jacksonville. Has anyone in this group made these trips? Would the Intercoastal be more narrow (and therefore less choppy) south of Jacksonville than it would be north of Jacksonville? Is it easier to walk to an Atlantic beach from the Intercoastal in Florida than it is in Georgia? Are there more hotels along the Intercoastal in Florida than there are in Georgia? Thanks in advance for the advice.
jameso	posted 05-15-2002 10:58 AM ET (US) I have not made the trip all at once but have been on most of the sections from Savannah to Jax. Not a lot of beach access from the ICW, Not a lot of gas places from Savannah to Brunswick. If you have not tried this type trip before let me suggest maybe Darien to Fernandian Beach for starters. Great place to spend the night in St. Marys GA. email me if you like. Jim Armstrong
jameso	posted 05-16-2002 08:39 AM ET (US) You might also consider a St. Johns river cruise, This is something I have wanted to do for a couple of years, maybe this fall. Jim Armstrong
Highwater	posted 05-16-2002 01:35 PM ET (US) My eldest daughter (now age 8) and I did the St. John's River trip two years ago. We camped out on the state park on the island in the river (can't think of the name of it right now) and went up to Sanford where we hitch-hiked in to the Sanford zoo. Great trip. But this is an "adults-only" trip and we want to be near the beach so that we can pull the Whaler over to the side of the ICW, walk across a short strip of land, and be on the Atlantic. I think that there are some areas south of Flagler Beach where we can do this. We will not camp this trip. We are looking for nice hotels and bars that we can visit by water. All ideas are appreciated. Thanks!
Draftmanswife	posted 05-16-2002 03:44 PM ET (US) Draftsman and I do the St. John's River trip on occasion, from DeLand up to Jax, then back down the ICW to Daytona. We usually stay the first night in Palatka, at the Holiday Inn, where you can pull your boat right up to your room. We then usually stay in St. Augustine for a night, at one of the many hotels, and then come on home the 3rd day. Getting thru St. Augustine is real tricky, especially after dark. You must have a gps in order to find your way thru in the darkness. Anyway, sounds like a lot of fun! Take care, Janis
Highwater	posted 05-19-2002 09:03 AM ET (US) We have decided to travel by boat from Savannah to St. Augustine in five days (June 20-25). If anyone knows of reasonably-priced rooms on or near the ICW that are near a safe place to moor the Whaler for the night, please advise. Does anyone care to join us?
jameso	posted 05-20-2002 02:41 PM ET (US) I highly recommend the River View Hotel in St. Marys GA. (912 8823242)Great older classy place with a GOOD resturant, rates are 55-60 with breakfast. The municipal dock is within sight and a good safe place to tie up. I do not think there is a fee if you only RON. North of Brunswick on the Altamaha, try to find time for lunch at 'Mud Cat Charlie's' This is located at 'Two Way Fish Camp' no lodging but great place to eat and stretch your legs, check out the Whalers from the Federal Law Enforcement Center that dock there and some wonderful original art work by Jack Davis of Mad Magazine fame on the walls in the dining room.(912-261-0055) Marina at Jekyll Island also has eats but not the atmosphere of 2 Way. I understand there is a new Hampton Inn in Fernandina Beach, do not know about the dockage there, they have a large mud flat near the docks and are alwys crowed when I have been there. Be advised that we have some strong,,, read that 6 feet or so tides. What is now 8 feet of water in 12 hours can be 2 or less. I might join you for a day or so, Jim Armstrong
Highwater	posted 05-20-2002 09:15 PM ET (US) Thanks for the excellent information, Jim. We are having a lot of fun planning the trip. We would love to have you join us! We will leave Savannah on Friday morning, June 21.
jameso	posted 05-26-2002 10:11 AM ET (US) Check out the 'Whalers at Amelia Island' in the General Section. Jim
Highwater	posted 05-27-2002 11:46 PM ET (US) This weekend, my wife, two daughters and I went down the Waccamaw River in South Carolina and up the Cape Fear River in North Carolina. The two "day trips" made me realize that my wife is not going to enjoy doing more than 30 or 40 miles per day on the boat. So I have given up on the idea of starting in Savannah because it seems to me that there is not a good place to stop south of Savannah until you get to St. Simons Island (please correct me if I am mistaken). So we are now thinking we will start at St. Simons and go from there to St. Augustine. The Amelia Island thread has so much useful information that we may not make it any further south than that :)
compounder	posted 05-28-2002 08:17 PM ET (US) I've been thinking about a trip from Charleston SC up the ICW into the Waccamaw and up to Conway to spend the night. Tell us about your trip on the Waccamaw.
jameso	posted 05-28-2002 08:43 PM ET (US) Highwater, I am of the same mind as your wife 40+ miles per day in a 13 is near my limit. I suggest launch near St Simons and go South, maybe RON two nites in St. Marys explore the area even a short trip to Fernandina Beach and return to St. Simons area. I suggest you launch at Troup Creek Marina, or Blythe Island regional park. Blythe is probably best, no facilities except launch and gas. It is located N of hwy 17 just off I-95, This will put you in the Turtle River that forms the Brunswick River that seperates St. Simons froM Jekyll. You will be approx 30 mins from the Jekyll marina. On the GA coast I always try to use a sling launch, well worth the 3-5 bucks, remember the tides! Of course you could also launch at Two Way this would add 12+ miles. Another note, Little Cumberland is a private island and I have heard of the people that live on the North end actually coming down and ordering people off the beach and even telling them they could not anchor next to shore, I have never had a problem but then I don't make it a habit of using "their" beach, Also note the difference in the North end of these islands compared to the South ends. The islands are moving North several feet a year, makes for different vegetation ect. If possible I plan to see y'all somewhere on this trip. Jim Armstrong
Highwater	posted 05-28-2002 10:27 PM ET (US) Compounder, thanks for asking about the Waccamaw. I will start a new thread with that name in the title so that other people who may be interested in that river can more easily find the discussion. Jim, I like all of your ideas except one: I am hoping that we will not have to turn around at some point in the trip and head back to where we started. My wife and I will be bringing two cars and will leave one down south (St Augustine?). I'll keep studying the charts. Thanks for the suggestions and look forward to meeting you!