Reviews from Andreas (12)

Anchorage Review for Thompson Bay

Reviewed by: Andreas, AKKA, on Apr 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 6.2'

Was a bit scared about shallow areas shown on Navionics Sonar Chart ... but seems many are fantasy. With 6,2' draft we went straight in on a NE course, to drop anchor at 23°21,50 - 075°08,35 in 2,1m at low tide ... could have explored further in with Explorer Charts. The bay is open from SE to W for wind and waves. Forecast S - W18kt over night made 12 out of 16 boats fleeing the bay. We put out some extra chain, and found the swell not too bad at all.
The dinghy dock is good, but a mile away. The supermarket is up to the main road and turning left ... 200m, passing Fox Auto and a Car Rental. The other place to visit is Tinys Bar and Restaurant, protected dock, nice veranda, a hang out with very excellent meals.

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Anchorage Review for Black Point Settlement

Reviewed by: Andreas, AKKA, on Mar 21, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 6.2'

A good stop with 2 to 3 meters over sand, well protected from prevailing N to S winds and thanks to good holding safe in stiff westerly breezes. At the town dock with dinghy access at the west side is a trash collection against donations. Other dinghy landings a bit further west with docks for a well run self service laundry and famous Lorraines Cafe. A walk further west finds the Sunset View restaurant with good meals too. Some yards east is the small but well stocked Adderleys Friendly Market.
If you want to pass Dotham Cut, it can be wild with wind against outgoing current.

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Anchorage Review for The Monument/Hamburger Beach

Reviewed by: Andreas, AKKA, on Mar 18, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 6.2'

A nice anchorage along the beaches below Monument Hill. 2 - 6 meters with very good holding in sand. We had easterlies up to 35kt and everyone was fine. Nice are the beaches and the many paths to explore the island and the eastern shores. To get to George Town for supplies is often a very wet ride with a small dinghy ... but there is Elvis water taxi to call, or Jamaal for services like fuel, trash or propane.
If anchoring here, please stay out of the shipping channel.

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Anchorage Review for Big Majors Spot (West)

Reviewed by: Andreas, AKKA, on Feb 18, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 6.2'

In 2021 still the same as already in 2017 reviewed. It is a good and well frequented anchorage with easy beach access. The excitement about the group of ordinary pigs we didn't share, it is a business opportunity for tour boats from Staniel Cay. The dinghy ride to the Staniel YC against SE winds and waves can be a very wet one. But the YC restaurant and the 2 islands main supermarkets, we preferred the pink one, are worth the tour.

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Anchorage Review for Shroud Cay Moorings (FREE)

Reviewed by: Andreas, AKKA, on Feb 7, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 6.2'

With our draft of 6.2' the more protected northern mooring field seems to shallow, so we took a mooring close to the south side of the land spit. We came in on a true 90° COG with never less than 3.0m over sand at low tide. The mooring is one of the best we have ever seen with a floating pennant easy to connect to. - To the east is a tiny beach (not at high tide) where kind of a steal mailbox is installed to collect the park fees, but the forms box was empty and during the 4 days we stayed here, nobody else was visiting the box. Hope everyone will pay via internet or at the Park Station. There are about 14 moorings and 6 at the northern field.
A highlight is the very shallow winding creek through mangroves to the eastern side. Beautiful beach and breathtaking water colors best viewed from the tiny hill of "Driftwood Camp". Don't miss it.
For internet we received ALIV with a hotspot-tablet pulled up at the mast.

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Anchorage Review for Highbourne Cay West

Reviewed by: Andreas, AKKA, on Feb 6, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 6.2'

For easier marina access by dinghy we anchored a bit to the south with 5m in sand, good holding in front of the rough coastline. Winds were E12kt (good protection) to SW15kt (no protection, long fetch ... bumpy). We were welcome in the marina for shopping, good selection of groceries fresh and frozen and were even offered, to use their free bikes to explore the island. The nice restaurant is not for sailors on a budget, we invested only once and it was excellent. When a northern blow 25 - 30 was expected, all ships left, while we took a slip in the marina and enjoyed some days with comfort.

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Marina Review for Highbourne Cay Marina

Reviewed by: Andreas , AKKA, on Feb 4, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 6.2'

Rating: 5

There is a good anchorage at the Highbourne westside, but for an approaching blow we took a slip in the marina ... and stayed for 8 days. It is a well run and clean marina with very friendly staff, good facilities and a shop with quality and fresh products for provisioning. Laundry service is offered overnight. Nice to explore the island and different beaches riding the free bikes.
It is a pricey place, but you get what you pay for. We would love to return.

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Marina Review for Port Canaveral Yacht Club-PRIVATE

Reviewed by: Andreas , AKKA, on Dec 24, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 6.2'

Rating: 4

Our 2nd stop in this club marina, easy in and out if offshore sailing. Just outside the lock a relaxed place with fixed docks. Water, power and pump out at the slip, clean facilities. Friendly club community with bar and gatherings in 2019, 2020 not so much. We liked it, despite it is a bit far from everything ... good to carry or call Uber for shopping.

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Marina Review for Charleston Maritime Center

Reviewed by: Andreas , AKKA, on Nov 26, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 6.2'

Rating: 4

Small but perfect place close to the city. Very friendly staff helps docking, as tide currents have to be observed when entering the slip with or against the waterflow. Excellent Harris Teeter Supermarket is only a short walk away. Free washing machines and dryers are another plus. Wifi was reasonable.
We would stay here again.

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Marina Review for Oriental Marina & Inn

Reviewed by: Andreas , AKKA, on Nov 16, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 6.2'

Rating: 4

Nice little marina, very well protected right in the active fishing harbor next to the Inns Garden Restaurant and Tiki Bar. The friendly staff helped with docking and got the long diesel hose right to the slip. Clean bathrooms and good laundry machines. - For supplies ask for the Piggly Wiggly shuttle.
We enjoyed 3 days and recommend the stop.

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Free Dock Review for Oriental Town Dock #2 - Free Dock

Reviewed by: Andreas, AKKA, on Nov 11, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 6.2'

Rating: 4

A perfect place in an active fisheries harbor and a nice town. The dock is well built and very protected. With a draft of 6.2' we got stuck at the fuel dock side and tried the other side, where we found 6.3'(!) ... all good.

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Anchorage Review for Cayo Levisa Resort Anchorage

Reviewed by: Andreas, AKKA, on Feb 13, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 6.4'

With 6.4' draft we were a bit tensed, but following Navionics, we made it in from west and out to the east in fine weather with no issues. We anchored west of the ferry pontoon with a good portion of chain and the anchor well set, all fine in a blow while the neighbor boat slipped(!). Resort with fine meals and white beach are top class and worth some days to relax, was our favorit stop between Cienfuegos and Marina Hemingway.

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