I'm new to the area and looking for anchorages to try within a days sail of Hampton, VA., (Southall Landings Marina). Appreciate any suggestions.
Anchorages in Hampton, Va area
- Thread starter Marc14893
- Start date
- Status
Marc, This is the Chesapeake Bay! There is no shortage
of fine anchorages within a one day sail from any place on the Bay. Get the paper charts and study them for shelter, bottom conditions, depth and traffic. You can find isolated places that may have one or two boats on a busy weekend and popular anchorages that will be crowded on any weekend and sometimes during the week. I am at the wrong end of the Bay to say if one place is better than another. My preferrence is for isolated quiet anchorages where the loudest noise I can hear is the birds squabbling over a fish.
of fine anchorages within a one day sail from any place on the Bay. Get the paper charts and study them for shelter, bottom conditions, depth and traffic. You can find isolated places that may have one or two boats on a busy weekend and popular anchorages that will be crowded on any weekend and sometimes during the week. I am at the wrong end of the Bay to say if one place is better than another. My preferrence is for isolated quiet anchorages where the loudest noise I can hear is the birds squabbling over a fish.
A good friend sent me an old copy of
a Chesapeake Bay Guide Book. You being new to the area, I would think that would be one of your very first investments.
a Chesapeake Bay Guide Book. You being new to the area, I would think that would be one of your very first investments.
Ches. Bay Guide and "Gunkholer's Guide" are best ....
"Chesapeake Bay Guide" (Chesapeake Bay Mag.) or "Gunkholers Guide to the Chesapeake" by Shellenberger. Yup the distances from Hampton to good anchorages in the southern bay are long. Other than Willoghby Bay, not until you get up to the Mobjack or even Cape Charles / Kiptopeake on the eastern shore are there really any 'good' anchorages. Mobjack Bay is probably the closest for good 'gunkholes'. The James R. is quite shallow and there isnt much on the York R. Additionally, you have to contend with all the unlit fish traps that are 'way out' in the lower bay that make night or bad weather sailing a great PITA. My wife and I help edit one of the above guides.
"Chesapeake Bay Guide" (Chesapeake Bay Mag.) or "Gunkholers Guide to the Chesapeake" by Shellenberger. Yup the distances from Hampton to good anchorages in the southern bay are long. Other than Willoghby Bay, not until you get up to the Mobjack or even Cape Charles / Kiptopeake on the eastern shore are there really any 'good' anchorages. Mobjack Bay is probably the closest for good 'gunkholes'. The James R. is quite shallow and there isnt much on the York R. Additionally, you have to contend with all the unlit fish traps that are 'way out' in the lower bay that make night or bad weather sailing a great PITA. My wife and I help edit one of the above guides.
Hi Rich,
I had your guide in the cockpit with me the whole 4 days we sailed the boat from North East, MD to Hampton. It was very helpful. I basically asked this question because looking around the charts it appears there are a lot of marinas near by, but not a lot of anchorages, especially the more isolated ones that are so prevalent in the middle and upper Bay. Like Ross, I prefer the quiet places. I am hoping I just missed a lot of places that are worth a look and that some of the locals will give me some suggestions. Then again, maybe they are best kept secret! Either way, I'm looking forwards to seeking them out.
I had your guide in the cockpit with me the whole 4 days we sailed the boat from North East, MD to Hampton. It was very helpful. I basically asked this question because looking around the charts it appears there are a lot of marinas near by, but not a lot of anchorages, especially the more isolated ones that are so prevalent in the middle and upper Bay. Like Ross, I prefer the quiet places. I am hoping I just missed a lot of places that are worth a look and that some of the locals will give me some suggestions. Then again, maybe they are best kept secret! Either way, I'm looking forwards to seeking them out.
Marc
I have found "Guide to Cruising Chesapeake Bay", (currently, 2008 Ed) to be excellent... but both of the other guides are excellent also. RE ... just a few anchorages within a day sail from Hampton.... Up the James ... ~1hr ... Deep Creek (North side of James) just past James River Bridge ~2hrs ... Up the Pagen River (South side of James R) anchor off Smithfield Station. great restraunt ~4hrs ... Up the James River to the Chickahominy River. Beautiful fresh water river but if center span of new Rt5 'high rise' bridge is in place, you won't be able to get into it unless your mast height is less than 48'. (BTW, the James is NOT shallow, ocean going ships travel up it to Richmond.) ~<1hr ... Willoughby Bay, I grew up here, it's large & open, not as protected as many other anchorages ~1.5hrs ... Hospital Point Off Portsmouth, opposite Norfolk Waterside Across the Bay ... ~4hrs ... Cape Charles / Concrete Ships Up the West side of the Bay ~1.5hrs ... Back River... nice beach just inside South entrance ~3hrs ... Sarah's Creek, anchor just off York River Yacht Haven... another nice restraunt ~4hrs ... Many wonderful anchorages off the 4 rivers that empty into Mobjack Bay; most notably up the East River ~5hrs ... Piankatank River / Gwynn's Island ... Milford Haven and 3 beautiful creeks ~6hrs ... Up the Rappahannock .. Carter Creek (behind Tides Inn... wonderful) Corrotoman River (also wonderful) Urbanna Creek ~6.5hrs ... Around Windmill Pt, into Fleets Bay. 4 beautiful creeks, many, quiet, beautiful anchorages There are more... but part of the fun is finding them ... Enjoy sailing the greatest cruising body of water in the United States !
I have found "Guide to Cruising Chesapeake Bay", (currently, 2008 Ed) to be excellent... but both of the other guides are excellent also. RE ... just a few anchorages within a day sail from Hampton.... Up the James ... ~1hr ... Deep Creek (North side of James) just past James River Bridge ~2hrs ... Up the Pagen River (South side of James R) anchor off Smithfield Station. great restraunt ~4hrs ... Up the James River to the Chickahominy River. Beautiful fresh water river but if center span of new Rt5 'high rise' bridge is in place, you won't be able to get into it unless your mast height is less than 48'. (BTW, the James is NOT shallow, ocean going ships travel up it to Richmond.) ~<1hr ... Willoughby Bay, I grew up here, it's large & open, not as protected as many other anchorages ~1.5hrs ... Hospital Point Off Portsmouth, opposite Norfolk Waterside Across the Bay ... ~4hrs ... Cape Charles / Concrete Ships Up the West side of the Bay ~1.5hrs ... Back River... nice beach just inside South entrance ~3hrs ... Sarah's Creek, anchor just off York River Yacht Haven... another nice restraunt ~4hrs ... Many wonderful anchorages off the 4 rivers that empty into Mobjack Bay; most notably up the East River ~5hrs ... Piankatank River / Gwynn's Island ... Milford Haven and 3 beautiful creeks ~6hrs ... Up the Rappahannock .. Carter Creek (behind Tides Inn... wonderful) Corrotoman River (also wonderful) Urbanna Creek ~6.5hrs ... Around Windmill Pt, into Fleets Bay. 4 beautiful creeks, many, quiet, beautiful anchorages There are more... but part of the fun is finding them ... Enjoy sailing the greatest cruising body of water in the United States !
Buck is right Marc
There are I think more places to go here than anywhere else. There are even spots up the York past Sarah's Creek, there is the Fishing Bay tucked away between Gwyns Island and the south side of Deltaville off the Piankatank (sp) and then Onancock and even Tangier Island. I don't think we can find all the gunkholes there are here. And the greatest part is the people that you will meet when you go to these places. Everyone is so helpful and open. You will love it. Good luck, Tom
There are I think more places to go here than anywhere else. There are even spots up the York past Sarah's Creek, there is the Fishing Bay tucked away between Gwyns Island and the south side of Deltaville off the Piankatank (sp) and then Onancock and even Tangier Island. I don't think we can find all the gunkholes there are here. And the greatest part is the people that you will meet when you go to these places. Everyone is so helpful and open. You will love it. Good luck, Tom
- Status