First I would like to thank all the people who provided advice and info. I had sincere intentions of navigating the river...but do to drought, time changes, people coming on the trip I am going to let loose just upstream of savannah, maybe go upstream some like moonsailor suggested, but spemd mopst of the time sailing round savannah and the nearby islands. The tidal influence seems very strong there. Any suggestions or information on good anchorages, etc. would be great! Thanks again...I do plan on doing the river trip to the coast one day....just seemed kinda different and cool.... Jeff
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Not sure...
I'm still pretty new (been sailing two years). I have sailed charlston harbor a few times and out to folly beach area. Do you think one could make it to southern kiawah island from tybee island in a day? I guess I could always take the icw...can you sail in there?
I'm still pretty new (been sailing two years). I have sailed charlston harbor a few times and out to folly beach area. Do you think one could make it to southern kiawah island from tybee island in a day? I guess I could always take the icw...can you sail in there?
Haven't been down there myself
On a larger boat, in the ocean, I think it'd be doable in a day. ICW has some stretches that are sailable, but it zigs and zags quite a bit and without having done it before, it'd be easy to make a wrong turn, I would think.
On a larger boat, in the ocean, I think it'd be doable in a day. ICW has some stretches that are sailable, but it zigs and zags quite a bit and without having done it before, it'd be easy to make a wrong turn, I would think.
Tybee Island to Port Royal/Beaufort
on the ICW represents a full day of activity, and provides an opportunity to sail across Port Royal Sound and up the Beaufort River past Paris Island (if you are quiet you can hear DI's working the recruits) to Beaufort. Spend the night at one of three very nice marinas or at anchor in the lee of Lady's Island in Factory Creek. Motor from Beaufort on the ICW past Beaufort MCAS into St.Helena Sound and spend the day sailing down to Edisto Island, then continue on the ICW to Kiawah Island or go outside around Edisto to Kiawah. Either way use up to date charts and watch out for shoaling. Have a safe trip and enjoy the low country. Steve Kamp H 38 Carolina
on the ICW represents a full day of activity, and provides an opportunity to sail across Port Royal Sound and up the Beaufort River past Paris Island (if you are quiet you can hear DI's working the recruits) to Beaufort. Spend the night at one of three very nice marinas or at anchor in the lee of Lady's Island in Factory Creek. Motor from Beaufort on the ICW past Beaufort MCAS into St.Helena Sound and spend the day sailing down to Edisto Island, then continue on the ICW to Kiawah Island or go outside around Edisto to Kiawah. Either way use up to date charts and watch out for shoaling. Have a safe trip and enjoy the low country. Steve Kamp H 38 Carolina
Savannah Trip
I live on Edisto Island in SC, just south of Kiawah. A trip from Tybee to Kiawah would be a stretch in one day because of the coastal land variations in the area. There are a good number of barrier islands to work around and through to get from Tybee to Kiawah (St Helena Sound and Island would have to be worked around). It would be an ideal two day sail. Regarding sailing in the ICW from Tybee to Kiawah there are a good number of turns and small rivers/ creeks that intersect that could derail you. Many sailboats sail the ICW regardless, and it has room to move around. Wind in that area seems to come from the South/Southeast and would push you mostly (more difficult on the return trip)( I would use the ocean for the return. good luck
I live on Edisto Island in SC, just south of Kiawah. A trip from Tybee to Kiawah would be a stretch in one day because of the coastal land variations in the area. There are a good number of barrier islands to work around and through to get from Tybee to Kiawah (St Helena Sound and Island would have to be worked around). It would be an ideal two day sail. Regarding sailing in the ICW from Tybee to Kiawah there are a good number of turns and small rivers/ creeks that intersect that could derail you. Many sailboats sail the ICW regardless, and it has room to move around. Wind in that area seems to come from the South/Southeast and would push you mostly (more difficult on the return trip)( I would use the ocean for the return. good luck
Edisto Anchorage/Marina
When you get near Edisto on the ICW you will need to take a slight detour to Big Bay Creek in to the Edisto Marina. Great people, food (Sunset Grill) and safe harbor. Kiawah is a short sail North (you will see Kiawah from Edisto Island)
When you get near Edisto on the ICW you will need to take a slight detour to Big Bay Creek in to the Edisto Marina. Great people, food (Sunset Grill) and safe harbor. Kiawah is a short sail North (you will see Kiawah from Edisto Island)
Glad to Hear You Changed Your Mind Jeff
Well Jeff, I was glad to hear that you changed your mind on doing the Savannah from Augusta to Savannah. I believe Lewis and Clark would not have been so bold to attempt this one!!!! I still believe a lost tribe of pigmy headhunter's live somewhere along there!!! Your choice to cruise the Georgia barrier islands will pay off. If you start off in Savannah it would be wise to avoid the shipping channel toward the downtown area. Swift currents, narrow channels and humongous ships traveling in the channel should be concern. I would rather focus on the ICW and barrier islands then try to fight the currents and ship traffic past Port Wentworth. You will find as well a Union Camp pulpmill that if the wind is right will simply stink up the air with heavy mercaptan's just west of downtown Savannah. You do know that the Georgia coast is loaded with pulpmills, so get ready for some strange smells. Your dealing with marshes notorious for mosquitos throughout coastal Georgia so mosquito netting and a ton of high DEET repellent should also be on the supply list. Add a good danforth and plow anchor, lots of chain and rode and with your shoal draft you should be able to really go anywhere. I cannot get specific on anchorages as I do not know the draft of your vessel and tidal fluctuations vary; however, expect strong currents especially where openings to the ocean are close by. As an example, I was sailing in my Helsen 22 in St. Simons Sound heading out to the ocean with an incoming tide. I was close hauled with my little Volvo outboard humming. The tide was so strong coming in I was lined up with this guy fishing from the pier close by for about a half an hour, and heeled over abit I barely made headway!! Might as well have been the Bay of Fundy!! In other words be sure to get a tide table and if needed head in and out of anchorages with the tides unless you have that giant outboat and planning hull McGregor design. South of Tybee Island on the ICW ocean side are the islands and several may have courtesy docks, but several are beautiful wildlife refuges and you might come across a Park Ranger or two. Their is a ton of info. on the web on Georgia's barrier islands. Do your homework on those closest to Savannah. On the ICW is Thunderbolt Marina that serves most ICW cruisers. Nice restaurants near the marina, but it would be worth taking a cab or finding a ride to River/Bay street downtown for an afternoon or evening of great seafood, walk along the Savannah river and shopping. One landmark restaurant worth noting is the Pirate's House off Bay Street. If you manage to get close to Tybee Island, check out the Crab Shack restaurant and Fort Pulaski (Civil War). Bull Run marina off the ICW on Wilminton Island takes transients, but you will need a taxi or ride to get anyplace. A week or so is plenty to enjoy Savannah and surrounding areas. Not much as for cities south of Savannah unless you have the time to stop at Darien or Brunswick. North of Savannah across the sound is Daufuskie Island and then Hilton Head. Either way, you'll love the scenery, the wildlife and if your a fisherman, its great. Safe Journey Bob
Well Jeff, I was glad to hear that you changed your mind on doing the Savannah from Augusta to Savannah. I believe Lewis and Clark would not have been so bold to attempt this one!!!! I still believe a lost tribe of pigmy headhunter's live somewhere along there!!! Your choice to cruise the Georgia barrier islands will pay off. If you start off in Savannah it would be wise to avoid the shipping channel toward the downtown area. Swift currents, narrow channels and humongous ships traveling in the channel should be concern. I would rather focus on the ICW and barrier islands then try to fight the currents and ship traffic past Port Wentworth. You will find as well a Union Camp pulpmill that if the wind is right will simply stink up the air with heavy mercaptan's just west of downtown Savannah. You do know that the Georgia coast is loaded with pulpmills, so get ready for some strange smells. Your dealing with marshes notorious for mosquitos throughout coastal Georgia so mosquito netting and a ton of high DEET repellent should also be on the supply list. Add a good danforth and plow anchor, lots of chain and rode and with your shoal draft you should be able to really go anywhere. I cannot get specific on anchorages as I do not know the draft of your vessel and tidal fluctuations vary; however, expect strong currents especially where openings to the ocean are close by. As an example, I was sailing in my Helsen 22 in St. Simons Sound heading out to the ocean with an incoming tide. I was close hauled with my little Volvo outboard humming. The tide was so strong coming in I was lined up with this guy fishing from the pier close by for about a half an hour, and heeled over abit I barely made headway!! Might as well have been the Bay of Fundy!! In other words be sure to get a tide table and if needed head in and out of anchorages with the tides unless you have that giant outboat and planning hull McGregor design. South of Tybee Island on the ICW ocean side are the islands and several may have courtesy docks, but several are beautiful wildlife refuges and you might come across a Park Ranger or two. Their is a ton of info. on the web on Georgia's barrier islands. Do your homework on those closest to Savannah. On the ICW is Thunderbolt Marina that serves most ICW cruisers. Nice restaurants near the marina, but it would be worth taking a cab or finding a ride to River/Bay street downtown for an afternoon or evening of great seafood, walk along the Savannah river and shopping. One landmark restaurant worth noting is the Pirate's House off Bay Street. If you manage to get close to Tybee Island, check out the Crab Shack restaurant and Fort Pulaski (Civil War). Bull Run marina off the ICW on Wilminton Island takes transients, but you will need a taxi or ride to get anyplace. A week or so is plenty to enjoy Savannah and surrounding areas. Not much as for cities south of Savannah unless you have the time to stop at Darien or Brunswick. North of Savannah across the sound is Daufuskie Island and then Hilton Head. Either way, you'll love the scenery, the wildlife and if your a fisherman, its great. Safe Journey Bob
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