Cumberland Island

4-20-21 – Ron’sView Cumberland Island

Our time on Jekyll Island was ending and the next passage was to the north end of Cumberland Island. We wanted to spend some time hiking this island and it was a perfect place to practice our anchoring skills.

The Georgia anchoring laws made this difficult since most areas are off limits to overnight stops. With the help of the GPS, we found an area that was “approved” to anchor and hoped the currents did not swing us out of the boundary. We have learned to love these anchorages. No one around, other than a drive by from a local crabber checking his pots. There are lots of incredible star views and a constant stream of dolphins making their way around the boat feeding. Perhaps Buddy and Biscuit followed us?

The dingy access to Cumberland Island is pretty easy. Pick a place and go to shore and tie up the boat. No one is around so with luck the boat will be there when you return. If your dinghy is not there, well, you either suck at tying knots or you got lost. What we did not plan for was the 9 foot tidal swing so coming in at high tide requires you to drag the 500lb dingy back to the deep water once the tide drops.

Hope it is there when we get back

Oops guess we have to drag it.

We took a 9-mile hike on the north end of the island, and it was absolute bliss. It was truly untouched, no roads, no houses, no people. Just amadillos and mini horses. Words do not describe Cumberland Island so I will let the pictures tell the story.

Wild horses? Who knew

The trip to the south end was pretty much a nonevent, other than a confused area where the charts did not agree and I grounded slightly. Lots of panic but a nonevent. Perhaps my depth finder is not working correctly? Next up the Navy submarine restricted area which I quickly ignored only to get a visit from the navy gun boat. OOPS! Oh well no holes in the boat and I was not arrested.

Submarina Degaussing station?

After a couple rainy days, we did get to take another afternoon and hike the south side. We went to see Dungress Ruins. Pretty and more crowded but still worth the trip. We want to hike the middle part which is supposedly another old southern mansion. I hope we get to do so since we are staying in Fernandina Beach Oasis Marina for a week due to weather and can dingy over from here.

Three days total at this anchorage. Did I say these are free? Ya, I like this part of cruising. Next stop Fernandina marina to wait out yet another cold front. This one will be shitty since it produced snow in the north.

Oasis marina was a whole 5-mile transit. These short hops are a nonevent since they do not require a bridge clearance issue. Dock hands had me on an inside Dock which required me to come in do a 360 turn and wedge myself into the space. Well let’s get out the extra fenders in case I screw this up. Wish I had more to write it was pretty much a nonevent and went smooth. Way better than the next boat that came in, and had no lines connected or line handlers. I brought my boat hook down to help but the chaos took over. This boat ripped the AC junction from the dock and lots of dents and dings. Good news it was not me and not my boat. Good experience to know what not to do.