Our stay in Georgetown was relaxing, pleasant, and a good spot to wash down the boat. Plus, it’s one of the best stops on the waterway. Revisiting our favorite restaurant, reading a good book, making new boating friends (majority from the Chesapeake area, particularly Annapolis!) and celebrating Thanksgiving made for a great visit. But, ready to move on, we headed out on Saturday, the 29th, on to the Price Creek anchorage, 16 miles north of Charleston. Passing through Winyah Bay, steaming on numerous rivers and creeks (North Santee, South Santee, Harbor, Fourmile), and a host of connecting canals we reached our anchorage in a short 46 mile trek at a 9 to 10 mph pace … not unlike 95 at rush hour! See pictures below. On laptop hover over picture and click CTRL twice to enlarge.
Headed to Georgetown. Forecasters promise 70 degrees and possible high winds later on. The ICW south of Myrtle Beach continues to explode with high end developments along the waterway. Stopped at Osprey Marina for fuel ($3.12/gal for diesel), then continued down the scenic Waccamaw River towards one of our favorite towns … Georgetown, SC. We’re laying over here for a week to enjoy Thanksgiving at a great Southern restaurant, wander the historic town, frequent Carey’s favorite chocolatier, and clean the travel grimae from the boat! We’ll also plan our next stops including the Charleston area, two days in beautiful Beaufort, SC (entire downtown in a national historic landmark, plus great restaurants), and Savannah. Still deciding on next stops as warmer weather just increased our options. Lots of excellent anchorages along the way, including Ceumberland Island.
After a restful night at Bridge Tender Marina in Wrightsville, we were underway toward Myrtle Beach— one day out from our Thanksgiving week stop in Georgetown, SC. The cruise down the waterway was smooth and pleasant, even as we passed through two familiar trouble spots: Lockwood’s Folly and Shallotte Inlet. Crossing at low tide could have been tricky, but Bob423’s waterway tracks guided us through with ease. We settled into our new high-top chairs at the salon helm, enjoying the fine weather and the quiet chance to talk about life and the wider world. It was one of those simple, memorable days on the water. We covered the 70-mile run to Barefoot Marina in seven and a half hours, arriving ready to relax. The evening was spent with a comforting bowl of soup, cheese, and a good bottle of wine—a perfect end to the day. Now, with the boat secure and spirits high, we’re ready for a sound night’s sleep before tomorrow’s 50-mile run to Georgetown. See some pictures along the way. Hover over and push Ctrl twice to enlarge any picture.
However, we did talk about the excessive no-wake zones we had not anticipated and were pleased we made up the time to arrive at Barefoot Marina on time — before sunset at 5 PM. I almost became a nervous Nelly worrying about speeding up 1 mph while also worrying about a no wake speed zone we had to adhere to. That worry and concern for planning the day does make up a lot of what we like about traveling on the water, not to get somewhere, but enjoy our surroundings on the water while managing how to travel through the area — the trip, not the destination.
Cast off at 8 a.m. for a 70-mile run to Beaufort, NC. Weather couldn’t have been better—sunny skies and calm waters all the way.
A scenic stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway: the Pungo and Pamlico Rivers, Goose Creek, Upper Spring Creek, a man-made canal, Bay River, and the Neuse River—20 miles of open water that can get wild, but was smooth sailing. From there, we cruised through Adams Creek, its canal, and finally the Russell Slough Channel into Beaufort.
This leg is a textbook example of how the ICW brilliantly connects natural waterways with man-made cuts to create a seamless passage – the ICW. We made the trip in just 7 hours, enjoying perfect conditions the entire way.
After tying up at Beaufort City Docks and freshening up, we set out in search of a new dinner spot. We’ve always gone to Clawson’s, but tonight we tried something different—Ribeye Restaurant. True to its name, it delivered: a cozy atmosphere, an all-you-can-eat salad and soup bar, and steaks from 8 to 32 ozs. We had a great meal. See a few pictures below. Magnify the pictures by hovering over the picture and click Ctrl twice.
20 November 2025
We’re picking up the pace—up at 6:50 and underway by 7:00 sharp. This morning we left Beaufort and made our way south to Wrightsville Beach, covering 76 miles. It was a good push, but necessary if we want to reach Georgetown, SC in time for Thanksgiving. We’re on track to arrive this Saturday, which gives us time to clean up the boat and get ready for the holiday week.
And in our planning we understand what we have to do every day on the water. We have to decide where we’re going — and get a reservation or anchorage location, then review the waterway and manage the trip. How many no-wake zones will keep as at idle speed, what bridges must we meet a published opening time to get through without a long wait, and then we realize the weather and shifting shoals at some locations impact our trip and may keep us guessing whether we will go aground and determine how fast can we go through the area to make it to our destination before dark. Yep, it’s busy but this is what makes it great!
One of the photos below shows our route over a road map—it might help you visualize how we’re weaving our way through the Southeast. See this and more below. Magnify the pictures by hovering over the picture and click Ctrl twice.
November 17 Our morning began with a bit of boat TLC at Atlantic Yacht Basin, where we addressed a leak in the starboard shaft seal. Thankfully, it was a simple fix—made even easier with help from the friendly yard crew. Just routine maintenance, but always satisfying to check off. Now I wonder what other maintenance items I need to take care of this week. By 10:30 AM, we were underway, heading 38 miles south to Coinjock. The waterway was lively, with plenty of boats on the move—many, like us, had been waiting out the weather. The route took us along the winding North Landing River and across the open Currituck Sound, offering a smooth and scenic ride. Coinjock Marina welcomed us with its famously long face dock, perfect for accommodating vessels of all sizes. It’s also known for its restaurant, once celebrated for its generous prime rib. When we arrived, the dockhands mentioned they were expecting around 15 boats that evening. By nightfall, that number had easily been surpassed! We settled in with a glass of wine and appetizers at the local bar—an ideal way to unwind. Later, we returned for dinner, though sadly, the restaurant’s reputation seems to have faded. The prime rib wasn’t what it used to be. Still, the marina remains a favorite stop, thanks to its excellent facilities and the camaraderie of fellow boaters. We shared stories, laughs, and a mutual love for life on the water. It’s the kind of place that feels like home. November 18 A bright, sunny morning greeted us as we prepared for a longer leg of the journey. At 7 AM, we departed Coinjock, bound for Belhaven, NC—an 80-mile run that would carry us through a variety of waterways. Our route began with a cruise down the North Landing River into the Albemarle Sound, then through the Alligator River Bridge and into the Alligator River itself. After about two hours, we reached the entrance to the Alligator-Pungo River Canal—a perfectly straight, 20-mile stretch that’s unmistakably man-made, in contrast to the winding rivers before it. Every hour we check or progress to ensure we on our plan to make it to Beaufort on time. Eventually, the canal opened into the Pungo River, and by evening, we arrived in Belhaven. It was a long day on the water, but the journey was rewarding, filled with changing landscapes and the quiet rhythm of travel by boat.
I finished the evening at Fishhooks Restaurant in Belhaven with a true southern meal — a hamburger steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans. I’ve loved it and Carey enjoyed her seafood “Trawler Special” of flounder, oysters, and a crab cake. Amaxing southern food. A few pictures below. You can magnify an image by hovering over image and pressing Ctrl twice.
