We are planning a cruise from Mobile, AL to Panama City, FL the week after Christmas 2005, and I am seeking information regarding the situation along the route. We plan to travel the Gulf if weather permits, and sneak into the bays (Perdido, Pensacola, Choctawhatchee, St. Andrews) along the way for the nights. If weather does not cooperate, we will travel the ditch. Are there marinas open? Has there been much hurricane damage? Are there any special spots where we need to stop? Any great restaurants that we can sail up to? Any places to avoid? I would appreciate any input from any knowledgable sailors and/or residents. Thanks for the help. R. Becker, DreamBoat
- Status
Hwy 59 Bridge to Perdido Pass and P'cola Pass
I can take you from Hwy 59 Bridge(Gulf Shores) to Perdido Pass and Pensacola Pass. All below are open since Ivan and accessable by boat and I've personally tried all of the food. Lulu's (Jimmy Buffett's sister) Restaurant on ICW near Hwy 59 (Portage Creek) bridge. Great food & fun! Live music evenings Bear Point Marina-full service, Restaurant OK Pirates Cove- Robert's Bayou, Marina, Grill, Cheeseburgers!Beer! Colorful locals. BELOW YOU"RE IF GOING TO GULF VIA PERDIDO PASS: Tacky Jacks- Cotton Bayou- They have it all. For breakfast, huge omelets! Zeke's Landing, Cotton Bayou. Marina & Restaurant-Very good Flora-bama. On Gulf, Building still gone but SEVERAL bars are still open. Live music. Try the royal red shrimp!Access from docks on west end of Ole River (landmark is Waffle House) BELOW IF YOU"RE GOING TO GULF VIA PENSACOLA PASS: Hub Stacey's-Galvez Landing- Very good sandwiches, evening live music Holiday Harbor Marina-Full service. The grill is very good & affordable. Recommend mullet. Just north of Gulf Beach/Perdido Key Bridge Perdido Oyster Bar-Good View, OK food, Marina is still out. Near Holiday Harbor just s. of bridge. Marinas along Big Lagoon are still trashed. Fish House-Pensacola Bay, Down town P'cola. Pitts Slip & Marina, Best food of'em all, pricy. Peg Leg Pete's-Pensacola Beach via Little Sabine Bay. Great food.
I can take you from Hwy 59 Bridge(Gulf Shores) to Perdido Pass and Pensacola Pass. All below are open since Ivan and accessable by boat and I've personally tried all of the food. Lulu's (Jimmy Buffett's sister) Restaurant on ICW near Hwy 59 (Portage Creek) bridge. Great food & fun! Live music evenings Bear Point Marina-full service, Restaurant OK Pirates Cove- Robert's Bayou, Marina, Grill, Cheeseburgers!Beer! Colorful locals. BELOW YOU"RE IF GOING TO GULF VIA PERDIDO PASS: Tacky Jacks- Cotton Bayou- They have it all. For breakfast, huge omelets! Zeke's Landing, Cotton Bayou. Marina & Restaurant-Very good Flora-bama. On Gulf, Building still gone but SEVERAL bars are still open. Live music. Try the royal red shrimp!Access from docks on west end of Ole River (landmark is Waffle House) BELOW IF YOU"RE GOING TO GULF VIA PENSACOLA PASS: Hub Stacey's-Galvez Landing- Very good sandwiches, evening live music Holiday Harbor Marina-Full service. The grill is very good & affordable. Recommend mullet. Just north of Gulf Beach/Perdido Key Bridge Perdido Oyster Bar-Good View, OK food, Marina is still out. Near Holiday Harbor just s. of bridge. Marinas along Big Lagoon are still trashed. Fish House-Pensacola Bay, Down town P'cola. Pitts Slip & Marina, Best food of'em all, pricy. Peg Leg Pete's-Pensacola Beach via Little Sabine Bay. Great food.
Another Thing....
Take pre-Ivan charts and guides (Young)with a grain of salt, especially charted bouys, markers and depths may have changed.Bring your binoculars to spot the bouys & markers in open parts of ICW. Nothing really treacherous if you sail only in daylight. It's still the most beautiful sailing there is! My favorite spot in the world for anchorage and seclusion is Ingram Bayou just south of Wolf Bay. Just before sunset to dark.....heaven!(sshhhh! don't tell anybody)
Take pre-Ivan charts and guides (Young)with a grain of salt, especially charted bouys, markers and depths may have changed.Bring your binoculars to spot the bouys & markers in open parts of ICW. Nothing really treacherous if you sail only in daylight. It's still the most beautiful sailing there is! My favorite spot in the world for anchorage and seclusion is Ingram Bayou just south of Wolf Bay. Just before sunset to dark.....heaven!(sshhhh! don't tell anybody)
No problem
I have traveled from Panama City, FL to Pensacola back in April and had no problems running the ICW. On Dec 20 I plan to sail from Pensacola to Port St. Joe
I have traveled from Panama City, FL to Pensacola back in April and had no problems running the ICW. On Dec 20 I plan to sail from Pensacola to Port St. Joe
- Status