There are several members on this board from that area. Maybe someone will be kind enogh to offer a little sailing.
Gulf Coast Sailing
- Thread starter sailaway78
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make sure ye go to appalachicola-- go thru the icw to there--is a nice trip and beautiful.
have some oysters in papa joes..is gooood food. have a great time and please post many many many pix!!!!!!
I'm new at this so bear with me,
Hopefully, below is an image taken on the ditch west of Apalachacola.
My first bald eagle sighting! How Awesome
Hopefully, below is an image taken on the ditch west of Apalachacola.
My first bald eagle sighting! How Awesome
A few more from my trip Carrabelle to Destin, mostly taking the ICW as this was the maiden voyage upon my new purchase. It was a great adventure.
The night before we departed from The Moorings in Carrabelle, FL.
Passing under Bryant Patton Bridge (Hwy 300)
Foul weather the night before caused some submerged pipe to break and float to the surface. We had the work crew give us an escort through the mess.
In Apalachicola, FL we spent the first night at Apalachicola Marina
While there I replaced the anchor light since the next leg was going to be on anchor.
Thanks to Mike, who graciously loaned me the bosun's chair and muscle to get my big butt up the mast. Mike was at the marina on his 40ft boat waiting for a weather window to head south to the islands (I'm jealous!)
The next day we headed west on the ICW and this was a pit stop at White City.
Chillin on the bow.
We didn't take many photos from the next leg of the trip, don't know why but we made it to Panama City and stayed at Sun Harbor Marina (great place) for a few days where we had a crew change and we left Sun Harbor Marina and continued west on the ICW.
WOW they pass so close. As we exited West Bay and the channel funneled down into what appeared to be a single lane highway we had a huge barge (maybe not huge but it sure seemed so) come up from behind us. The fun part of this story actually occured 2 minutes prior to taking this photo...As we saw this barge bear down upon us I chose to hug the starboard side of the channell, well as luck would have it we ran aground and stopped dead in the water...can we say "OH $h!t"... ran below hailed the captain on Ch 16 and he replied that he would slow down. It was the longest 30 seconds as I reversed and finally broke free but not before the boat turned around completely and faced the barge (the rudder was stuck in the mud or something). With about 1 minute before he was on top of us I was able to turn the boat around and hold a straight coarse as he passed us. Whew, that was way too close.
Surprisingly there wasn't much of a wake, I was prepared for a rocking though.
Our welcoming committee as we entered Choctawachee Bay.
We anchored on the southeastern end of the Hwy 83 bridge. Burned some steaks and put
down a few hard earned cold brewskies.
Up early and headed out on the last leg of our trip to Destin where the boat will sit for a month until my next window to get it the rest of the way to New Orleans eventually.
The night before we departed from The Moorings in Carrabelle, FL.
Passing under Bryant Patton Bridge (Hwy 300)
Foul weather the night before caused some submerged pipe to break and float to the surface. We had the work crew give us an escort through the mess.
In Apalachicola, FL we spent the first night at Apalachicola Marina
While there I replaced the anchor light since the next leg was going to be on anchor.
Thanks to Mike, who graciously loaned me the bosun's chair and muscle to get my big butt up the mast. Mike was at the marina on his 40ft boat waiting for a weather window to head south to the islands (I'm jealous!)
The next day we headed west on the ICW and this was a pit stop at White City.
We didn't take many photos from the next leg of the trip, don't know why but we made it to Panama City and stayed at Sun Harbor Marina (great place) for a few days where we had a crew change and we left Sun Harbor Marina and continued west on the ICW.
WOW they pass so close. As we exited West Bay and the channel funneled down into what appeared to be a single lane highway we had a huge barge (maybe not huge but it sure seemed so) come up from behind us. The fun part of this story actually occured 2 minutes prior to taking this photo...As we saw this barge bear down upon us I chose to hug the starboard side of the channell, well as luck would have it we ran aground and stopped dead in the water...can we say "OH $h!t"... ran below hailed the captain on Ch 16 and he replied that he would slow down. It was the longest 30 seconds as I reversed and finally broke free but not before the boat turned around completely and faced the barge (the rudder was stuck in the mud or something). With about 1 minute before he was on top of us I was able to turn the boat around and hold a straight coarse as he passed us. Whew, that was way too close.
Surprisingly there wasn't much of a wake, I was prepared for a rocking though.
Our welcoming committee as we entered Choctawachee Bay.
We anchored on the southeastern end of the Hwy 83 bridge. Burned some steaks and put
down a few hard earned cold brewskies.
Up early and headed out on the last leg of our trip to Destin where the boat will sit for a month until my next window to get it the rest of the way to New Orleans eventually.
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wow goood pix--- made me wish i were there already instead of in ensenada..LOL....white city and appalachacola are goood places-- some of my favorites--- destin has a helluva current running with tidal changes---and is very pretty -- looks like you had a great trip!!
ZeeHag, (or anyone willing to comment for that matter) Have you traveled between Destin and New Orleans, as this is my next leg and was wondering if you knew of any good anchorages or had a few suggestions?
Lots of Them
There is neting hanging from the Brooks Bridge for repainting if your close to 50' it may be an issue heading out of Choctawahatchee Bay. After that here are the spots I remember along the way that are worth a stop
Big Lagoon
Pirates Cove
Lulu's
Dauphin Island
Round Island
Petis Bois
East Ship Island
West Ship Island
Cat Island
Bay St Louis
Lulu's is between Perdido and Mobile Bays just before the Hi Way 50 bridge and is a must stop
There is neting hanging from the Brooks Bridge for repainting if your close to 50' it may be an issue heading out of Choctawahatchee Bay. After that here are the spots I remember along the way that are worth a stop
Big Lagoon
Pirates Cove
Lulu's
Dauphin Island
Round Island
Petis Bois
East Ship Island
West Ship Island
Cat Island
Bay St Louis
Lulu's is between Perdido and Mobile Bays just before the Hi Way 50 bridge and is a must stop
i loved ingrams bayou and wolf bay -- on the icw after pensacola. pensacola has a good anchorage with entertainment factor built in as you watch the folks anchor ..lol.dont forget pirates cove( between pensacola and ingrams bayou)-- i didnt go there but i will on my return-- goood hamburgers i have been advised-- and lulu's on icw just before mobile bay......between destin and pensacola we ran outside in gulf..caughrt gooood fishies--a dorado-yumm, tunas and king and spanish mackerels.. good dinners-- am looking forard to my return!!!! in my own boat---mine fits under the destin bridge and other icw bridges there...look at some of my pix -- made some good ones in white city--after a storm--i hope i posted those here.
and whatever nne and kloudie and cpt creel and others say--is awesome there.. loved it much!
and whatever nne and kloudie and cpt creel and others say--is awesome there.. loved it much!
Westbound
I can't be of any help from Destin to Pcola in the ICW, as I can't run inside there due to bridge clearance. But it is a wonderful offshore hop, and you should have favorable winds for offshore sailing. Is a fairly easy day offshore. When you come into Pcola, be careful where you meet the ICW going west. There is a long shallow bar at the intersection, and you do not want to cut that corner. Check your charts carefully. As soon as you get inside the ICW, there is a very popular anchorage, in Big Lagoon, where you can anchor up pretty close to the beach and dinghy ashore. From there it is an easy day to Pirates Cove, Ingrams Bayou or Wolf Bay. All good anchorages, but if it's a weekend, expect Ingrams to be crowded. Lulu's is about an hour or two west of there. Try a Cheeseburger in Paradise at Lulu's. Also this is the last place to get fuel without going quite a bit out of your way, until you get to the Rigolets. Mobile Bay should again be good sailing, but it can get kinda snotty with a good breeze from almost any direction. You can head straight across the bay once you get out of Bon Secor, and not have to follow the ICW, which jogs south, then back north. The spoil banks charted for the ship channel are plenty deep, and you can go directly across them with no problem. All the barrier islands west of Mobile Bay have pretty good anchorages. But watch the water depth. Other than Dolphin Island, the bottom comes up fast as you approach the shoreline. Everyone has their preferance, so it mostly depends on how far you want to run each day, and what appeals to you. Cat Island is the last in the chain, and the last good anchorage before the Rigolets, but that is a pretty easy day run. On the mainland side, if you want to head that way, there are marinas all along the way. If you want more info. or have questions, just ask, several on this board are very familiar with this area, so answers should be easy to come by.
I can't be of any help from Destin to Pcola in the ICW, as I can't run inside there due to bridge clearance. But it is a wonderful offshore hop, and you should have favorable winds for offshore sailing. Is a fairly easy day offshore. When you come into Pcola, be careful where you meet the ICW going west. There is a long shallow bar at the intersection, and you do not want to cut that corner. Check your charts carefully. As soon as you get inside the ICW, there is a very popular anchorage, in Big Lagoon, where you can anchor up pretty close to the beach and dinghy ashore. From there it is an easy day to Pirates Cove, Ingrams Bayou or Wolf Bay. All good anchorages, but if it's a weekend, expect Ingrams to be crowded. Lulu's is about an hour or two west of there. Try a Cheeseburger in Paradise at Lulu's. Also this is the last place to get fuel without going quite a bit out of your way, until you get to the Rigolets. Mobile Bay should again be good sailing, but it can get kinda snotty with a good breeze from almost any direction. You can head straight across the bay once you get out of Bon Secor, and not have to follow the ICW, which jogs south, then back north. The spoil banks charted for the ship channel are plenty deep, and you can go directly across them with no problem. All the barrier islands west of Mobile Bay have pretty good anchorages. But watch the water depth. Other than Dolphin Island, the bottom comes up fast as you approach the shoreline. Everyone has their preferance, so it mostly depends on how far you want to run each day, and what appeals to you. Cat Island is the last in the chain, and the last good anchorage before the Rigolets, but that is a pretty easy day run. On the mainland side, if you want to head that way, there are marinas all along the way. If you want more info. or have questions, just ask, several on this board are very familiar with this area, so answers should be easy to come by.
Westbound
I can't be of any help from Destin to Pcola in the ICW, as I can't run inside there due to bridge clearance. But it is a wonderful offshore hop, and you should have favorable winds for offshore sailing. Is a fairly easy day offshore. When you come into Pcola, be careful where you meet the ICW going west. There is a long shallow bar at the intersection, and you do not want to cut that corner. Check your charts carefully. As soon as you get inside the ICW, there is a very popular anchorage, in Big Lagoon, where you can anchor up pretty close to the beach and dinghy ashore. From there it is an easy day to Pirates Cove, Ingrams Bayou or Wolf Bay. All good anchorages, but if it's a weekend, expect Ingrams to be crowded. Lulu's is about an hour or two west of there. Try a Cheeseburger in Paradise at Lulu's. Also this is the last place to get fuel without going quite a bit out of your way, until you get to the Rigolets. Mobile Bay should again be good sailing, but it is pretty shallow and can get kinda snotty with a good breeze from almost any direction. You can head straight across the bay once you get out of Bon Secor, and not have to follow the ICW, which jogs south, then back north. The spoil banks charted for the ship channel are plenty deep, and you can go directly across them with no problem. All the barrier islands west of Mobile Bay have pretty good anchorages. But watch the water depth. Other than Dolphin Island, the bottom comes up fast as you approach the shoreline. Everyone has their preferance, so it mostly depends on how far you want to run each day, and what appeals to you. Cat Island is the last in the chain, and the last good anchorage before the Rigolets, but that is a pretty easy day run. On the mainland side, if you want to head that way, there are marinas all along the way. If you want more info. or have questions, just ask, several on this board are very familiar with this area, so answers should be easy to come by.
I can't be of any help from Destin to Pcola in the ICW, as I can't run inside there due to bridge clearance. But it is a wonderful offshore hop, and you should have favorable winds for offshore sailing. Is a fairly easy day offshore. When you come into Pcola, be careful where you meet the ICW going west. There is a long shallow bar at the intersection, and you do not want to cut that corner. Check your charts carefully. As soon as you get inside the ICW, there is a very popular anchorage, in Big Lagoon, where you can anchor up pretty close to the beach and dinghy ashore. From there it is an easy day to Pirates Cove, Ingrams Bayou or Wolf Bay. All good anchorages, but if it's a weekend, expect Ingrams to be crowded. Lulu's is about an hour or two west of there. Try a Cheeseburger in Paradise at Lulu's. Also this is the last place to get fuel without going quite a bit out of your way, until you get to the Rigolets. Mobile Bay should again be good sailing, but it is pretty shallow and can get kinda snotty with a good breeze from almost any direction. You can head straight across the bay once you get out of Bon Secor, and not have to follow the ICW, which jogs south, then back north. The spoil banks charted for the ship channel are plenty deep, and you can go directly across them with no problem. All the barrier islands west of Mobile Bay have pretty good anchorages. But watch the water depth. Other than Dolphin Island, the bottom comes up fast as you approach the shoreline. Everyone has their preferance, so it mostly depends on how far you want to run each day, and what appeals to you. Cat Island is the last in the chain, and the last good anchorage before the Rigolets, but that is a pretty easy day run. On the mainland side, if you want to head that way, there are marinas all along the way. If you want more info. or have questions, just ask, several on this board are very familiar with this area, so answers should be easy to come by.
Re: Westbound
There is a new fuel dock at the Long Beach harbor and one in Pass Christian harbor. Long Beach is easier to get in out of, Pass Christian has many more fishing vessels.
There is a new fuel dock at the Long Beach harbor and one in Pass Christian harbor. Long Beach is easier to get in out of, Pass Christian has many more fishing vessels.
Long Beach is definitely easier, but Pass Christian has a nice burger/beer spot, Shaggy's. As for anchorages, Smuggler's cove at Cat Island and the North East side of Cat Island both offer protection depending on the winds.
Give me a shout if you need help fueling up in Long Beach!
Does anyone know of some good day or two day sails out of destin harbor. I have done Panama City and Pensacola, but looking for something different and unique. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated. Thanks
Long Beach Harbor new restaurant
FYI for future hungry trekkers cruising this area...
About mid summer or so Long Beach Harbor had Steve's Marina Grill open up and I hear it has good food. They are also building a second restaurant next door, don't know what yet. Across the street (hwy 90) is a Mexican restaurant called Juan Tequila's and the Cajun Crawfish Hut (regular looking restaurant, but hey, it's crawfish!) and the ubiquitous McDonalds for a budget minded meal.
The harbor isn't near a real commercial or tourist center, so not much to see without wheels to go elsewhere. But good food and shelter she does offer.
Happy Sails
FYI for future hungry trekkers cruising this area...
About mid summer or so Long Beach Harbor had Steve's Marina Grill open up and I hear it has good food. They are also building a second restaurant next door, don't know what yet. Across the street (hwy 90) is a Mexican restaurant called Juan Tequila's and the Cajun Crawfish Hut (regular looking restaurant, but hey, it's crawfish!) and the ubiquitous McDonalds for a budget minded meal.
The harbor isn't near a real commercial or tourist center, so not much to see without wheels to go elsewhere. But good food and shelter she does offer.
Happy Sails
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