FL Inlet Caution: St. Augustine
- Date Reported: Jun 2, 2022
- Reporter: Jani Parker
- Source: Waterway Guide Staff
- Description:
Overview: Inlet opens to the east splitting Vilano Beach from Conch Island. The dead-end Salt Run is to the south between Conch Island and Anastasia Island.
Approach: St. Augustine Lighted Whistle Buoy “STA” is at N 29° 54.910'/W 081° 15.272'.
Navigation: Use NOAA Chart 11485. From the sea buoy, proceed slightly south of east towards the inlet, paying close attention to the markers. A prominent landmark is a tall cross on shore providing an approximate range to the inlet. Once past Cape Francis on the south, bear to the middle and south side of the channel. There is a large shoal at marker “2A.” Stay on the south side of the inlet. While markers positions cannot be anticipated, typically the north edge of the channel is marked by a series of red buoys and the south side is unmarked. Vessels headed in both directions tend to keep close to (and south of) the red markers.
If heading north, it is important to run a sufficient distance past the tip of the beach to the north of the inlet channel before turning north into the ICW channel. Keep flashing green buoy “59” (an ICW marker) to starboard turning. the approach is roughly southwest toward the “Castillo,” a large stone fort south the cross on the mainland. To add to the confusion, the numbering of ICW markers restarts where the Tolomato and Matanzas Rivers meet at the inshore-end of the inlet. Passing south of flashing green ICW marker “59” and keeping north of the entrance to the dead-end Salt Run, continue southwest splitting flashing green “1” and red nun “2” to enter the ICW then round the prominent thumb of Anastasia Island towards the Bridge of Lions.
Cautions & Hazards: It is highly recommended that you only attempt passage through this inlet with good visibility and in light wind conditions. Avoid this channel when the substantial tidal flow (particularly on ebb) is opposed by medium to strong winds. Breakers can often be seen in the shallow waters bordering the channel even in calm conditions. Charts do not show depth details nor the position of navigational aids as this inlet is prone to frequent change. This is considered a “fair weather” inlet and local knowledge is recommended.
ICW Connection: Connects just inside the inlet at ICW Mile 776.
- Lat / Lon: N 29° 54.600' / W 081° 17.310'
8 Boater Comments
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Comment by: Shawn Murphy, Gradle, on Feb 27, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'This Inlet was well marked and deep. Never got less than 20 ft of water under the hull. It doesn't show on any charts but there's red and green buoys the whole way in.
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Comment by: Scott Monroe, SeaC Ray, on Jul 18, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.0'About to leave Hilton Head for St Augustine and was a little worried given the written advice in WWG and other rip locations about St Aug Inlet. Appreciate everyone's input here. The bathymetry on Aqua Maps show a wide and deep inlet as all have described above. Why hasn't WWG, and especially the govt charting authorities updated the information? I know sandy inlets change frequently but there is a vast difference between what is evidently there and what is public record. Thankful for Aqua Maps and forums like this.
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Comment by: Richard on Jun 23, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 45'
Draft: 5.0'On 6/22/2021 was caught off St Augustine Inlet in a fierce thunderstorm w no visibility. Called TowBoat US for local knowledge. Reassured inlet to be wide and well marked. As rain subsided, proceeded w caution and had no trouble with depths greater than 15' on a rising tide. Well marked. Thanks Towboat for reassuring words.
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Comment by: Byron on Apr 4, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 41'
Draft: 4.5'Left the south mooring field in the dark. Inlet was wide and deep. Huge sport fishing crowd.
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Comment by: Ron Hanson on Nov 21, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'Entered the harbour on 20 November 2019 at 15:30, 1 hour after high tide. Was a bit cautious given the literature about this inlet. Found the channel to be well marked, and min 21 ft depths entering. Used Aqua Maps Master for navigation and the depths were similar to what was shown on the chart. Passed 2 sailboats exiting the inlet under full sail.
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Comment by: Val Arden on May 6, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 6.0'We found no less than 17' depth in the well marked wide channel. Good visibility necessary to see the uncharted buoys. Traversed after dawn, at 2 1/2 hours into the rising tide, in light air with 2' swells.
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Comment by: Ron Akke, Sol Mates, on Apr 29, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'Used St Augustine Inlet first on 3/25/2019. I figured local knowledge was required so I followed a commercial fishing boat. I was surprised how wide and well marked the Inlet was making for a pleasant first transit.
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Comment by: Mark Lawrence on Jan 18, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'Transited inbound on 1/17/2019. No problems, channel is plenty wide. Mostly 30ft deep, but saw some 18ft spots at mid tide. Follow buoys. They are not as shown on charts. Don't enter inlet in bad visibility, you need to see the buoys.
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