St. Augustine - General Info
Description:
Known as the “Nation’s Oldest City,” St Augustine was founded by the Spanish in 1565. It is on the NE coast of Florida and has several surviving old buildings and many museums depicting its long history.
St. Augustine sits directly on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and there are plenty of major marinas and mooring fields in the area. This is a popular stop for cruisers of the Atlantic ICW. Due to plentiful local amenities, some cruisers will use St. Augustine as a staging area for further exploration inland (the other popular option for inland exploration is Canaveral/Titusville).
There is a major inlet at St. Augustine. Like all other inlets in Florida, exercise care when approaching from seaward. The wind-over tide can cause the sea to pile up and become dangerous. It is common to call one of the tow-boat companies (ex: SeaTow or TowBoatUS) and request local knowledge of the inlet, any shoaling, or shifted channel markers.
Hurricane Matthew caused significant damage in the St.Augustine area, including widespread flooding. Post-hurricane, however, the government is quickly rebuilding and repairing the area, and they are even boosting tourism promotions to attract visitors back to the area. Please visit the City of St. Augustine Hurricane Matthew Update section for more information on the FEMA disaster declaration.
Position:
29° 54.59’N, 81° 16.97’W (Inlet entrance)
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Related to following destinations: Florida, St. Augustine, USA
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Picked up a well-maintained buoy run by the City Municipal Marina for $25 per night. Marina offers hourly rates if you want to come alongside and wash down; free for the first hour. Extremely helpful staff.
The entry from open sea is interesting.
The minimum depth we encountered was 4.5m near the fairway Buoy; further in depths increased to 8 – 10 meters. Quite a strong current flowing across the entrance and look out for the huge pipes used for the almost continuous dredging. If in doubt, stay close to the pipes on the downstream/downwind side.
Good chandleries including a rather esoteric secondhand one, within walking distance of the marina.
Here is a review for Rivers Edge Marina in St Augustine Florida.
My wife and I have been returning to Rivers Edge after each voyage ever since we discovered it a couple of years ago. Paul and the crew do a great job of keeping everything up to snuff and provide a fun environment for cruisers. Clean showers, laundry, wi-fi and book exchange are available. There is a wonderful community of sailors here. Downtown St Augustine, with all of its history and charm, is a short walk away as are West Marine and Winn Dixie. The Boat Shop at Rivers Edge provides engine repair and maintenance. It is run by Don Samson who has forty plus years working in the marine industry and is one of the most knowledgeable people I have met in my decades of cruising. All in all, a great spot on the San Sabastian River!
Jim & Ann Henry
SV Radio Flyer