Last week, yours truly took a rewarding trip from Brunswick, Georgia to Cocoa, Florida, visiting virtually all the marinas spread along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway between these two communities. In-depth interviews with dockmasters/marina managers were conducted, all the marina facilities (including showers and laundromats) were personally inspected, depths were sounded, and a whole bevy of photographs were taken (which will eventually be used in our ever expanding collection of marina photo galleries).
All of this was done with an eye towards providing the most complete and accurate possible information in both our Georgia and Eastern Florida Marina Directories. As many of you already know, one of my most steadfast rules is, "you should see it for yourself, before you write about it." This sojourn was part of our continuing effort to fulfill that objective.
Along the way, here is a quick sampling of some info that I found particularly interesting:
1. Amelia Island Yacht Basin (St. M. 720.5) - this facility has recently purchased its own dredge, and is already in the process of deepening their canal-like entrance passage from the AICW.
For more info, go to: http://www.CruisersNet.net/2-amelia-island-yacht-basin
2. A new Public Supermarket has just opened within a block and a half of St. 
Augustine's Inlet Marina (St. M. 776.5). Vessels can fill up their tanks at Inlet Marina, and while taking advantage of this facility's excellent fuel prices, stock up the galley.
Note that the new publix can also be easily accessed via marina courtesy car from nearby Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor (St. M. 775.5).
Check out both:
http://www.CruisersNet.net/5-camachee-cove-yacht-harbor
http://cruisersnet.net/sponsors/inlet-marina-st-augustine/
3. While visiting Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor (St. M. 775.5), we noted the on-site Camachee Island Seafood Market (904-217-0603), in addition to the long situated on-site provisioning facility, Fish Tales Market. Sounds like a great spot to acquire some of the freshest catch of the day for cooking up in your galley!
For more info, go to: http://www.CruisersNet.net/5-camachee-cove-yacht-harbor
4. We found a new (to us) facility on the upstream reaches of St. Augustine's San Sebastian River, known as Hidden Harbor Marina. This small but friendly establishment has very good depths, and is glad to welcome transients. They are within easy walking distance of several restaurants, or within a long walk (or quick taxi ride) of St. Augustine's historic district, with its many restaurants and attractions. For more info, see, http://www.CruisersNet.net/hidden-harbor-marina
5. Stopped by Marineland Marina at St. M. 796. We were impressed with the rebuilt docks and new shower/laundry/dockmaster's building, which now overlooks the harbor's northern banks. The old headquarters overlooked the southern shoreline.
Clearly,this marina features a well sheltered harbor, and we recommend it for all cruising craft. For the moment though, plan to arrive with a fully stocked galley, as the shoreside attractions are still sparse, though we expect that to change as time goes forward.
Check out: http://www.CruisersNet.net/marineland-marina
6. Caribbean Jacks Restaurant (386-523-3000), on site at Loggerhead Club & 
Marina - Daytona Beach (St. M. 830), is certainly popular. There was a already a crowd gathered there while we visited at 4:30 pm one weekday afternoon. We also noted the excellent on-site swimming pool and hot tub.
For more info, go to: http://www.CruisersNet.net/8a-loggerhead-club-marina-daytona-beach
7. We were VERY impressed with what we saw at Adventure Yacht Harbor (St. M. 837), a short hop south of Daytona Beach. The on-site restaurant here, Boondocks, has been popular for some time now, but during our last visit, the marina part of the operation was getting a bit neglected looking.
NO MORE! As of a year ago, new owners have taken over, and what a difference! During our visit, one of the co-owners showed us the new cruisers' lounge that was just being completed, and where a new, expanded transient dock would be erected in the near future.
In every way, this facility looks like it's now a place that the cruising community can visit with confidence!
For more info, see: http://www.CruisersNet.net/13-adventure-yacht-harbor
8. While stopping by Westland Marina in Titusville, FL (St. M. 879), we were blown away by this facility's superb cruisers' lounge, not to mention their extra nice showers and laundromat. Clearly, this facility has a warm welcome for visiting cruisers, which goes nicely with their extensive repair capabilities.
Of course, just next door, Titusville Municipal Marina continues to be one of the very best mid-size city owned and operated pleasure craft facilities, ever!
For more info, see both:
http://www.CruisersNet.net/westland-marina
http://www.CruisersNet.net/19-titusville-municipal-marina
9. And finally, it was a real pleasure as always, to visit with our friends at Cocoa Village Marina (St. M. 897). Not only is this a nice marina, the adjacent downtown 
Cocoa business district simply teems with GREAT dining attractions and interesting shops of all description. I can't think of a nicer place in Florida to spend a few days resting from one's travels.
For more info, go to: http://www.CruisersNet.net/24-cocoa-village-marina
Of course, I visited many more fine (and some less than fine) marinas, but the above points were a few that particularly caught the attention of my tiny mind! ALL the information gleaned from this trip has already been fed into our Georgia and Eastern Florida Marina Directories. Enjoy!!!
