Reviews: Horseshoe Bend - St. Marys River

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Holding:
5.00
Excellent, Mud
Wind Protection:
4.75
All Around
Current Flow:
4.63
Wake Protection:
4.63
All Around
Scenic Beauty:
4.88
Ease of Shopping:
1.71
Shore Access:
3.86
Beaches for dinghy landings
Pet Friendly:
4.14
Cell Service:
3.29
WiFi:
1.60

  • Review for Horseshoe Bend - St. Marys River

    Reviewed by: John Parsons, Pelican, on Aug 29, 2023
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 41'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    3
    Shore Access:
    5
    Pet Friendly:
    5
    Cell Service:
    3
    WiFi:
    1

    Great, wide anchorage very convenient to land. St. Mary's College dinghy dock (free) was open, and sailing department staff was very welcoming. Walk around campus or to the adjacent historical village gave us plenty of exercise and dog walking opportunities. Unfortunately, the bakery is closed, but the College still has a cafeteria and convenience store at campus center, a 10 min walk from dock. The bay is used by the various College aquatics programs, so expect to have swimmers, rowing crew, and sailing happening if anchored directly in front of docks - very entertaining! Not a No Wake zone, but not many local boats even on the weekend. Most of remainder of bay is natural or widely spaced houses, so quiet. Poor cell connectivity (AT&T or T Mobile). Good holding in sand and mud, and protected from all sides.

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  • Review for Horseshoe Bend - St. Marys River

    Reviewed by: Melinda Zehr, Surface Interval, on Jul 2, 2023
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 39'
    Draft: 3.8'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Scenic Beauty:
    4
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    5
    Pet Friendly:
    5
    Cell Service:
    1
    WiFi:
    1

    Good anchorage with room for lots of boats. St. Mary's College dock couldn't be more handy. Restrooms with one shower each are provided by the college, but may not open until noon each day (women's was open before that but men's opened after noon). Seniors over 60 pay $9 to tour the historic city. You can also eat at the college student center for $15; hours and menu are listed here: https://www.smcm.edu/campus-life/dining/. Also on Friday nights for four consecutive weeks in the heart of summer, concerts are provided by the Chesapeake Orchestra under a portable white bandshell. We were fortunate to hear the band and see July 4 fireworks (on June 30, 2023).

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  • Review for Horseshoe Bend - St. Marys River

    Reviewed by: Drew Goddin, Jenelle, on Jun 15, 2021
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 45'
    Draft: 5.8'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    5

    One of the best anchorages we've visited. Very quiet and right across from the college. Will come back when we have more time to explore.

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  • Review for Horseshoe Bend - St. Marys River

    Reviewed by: Bruce Stewart, Escape, on May 8, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 42'
    Draft: 3.0'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    2
    Shore Access:
    3
    Pet Friendly:
    3
    Cell Service:
    2
    WiFi:
    1

    Good holding mud, wind protection minimal, current and wake were not an issue.

    Room for many boats, with lots of swing room.

    Held great through a small blow.

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  • Review for Horseshoe Bend - St. Marys River

    Reviewed by: Pearl on May 3, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 48'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    5
    Pet Friendly:
    5
    Cell Service:
    5
    WiFi:
    3

    Dinghy to the sailboat dock are located in front of the Anchorage. There is a bakery on the historic side of the campus open Monday through Friday 9 to 1 with fabulous homemade breads and cookies including English muffins, and croissants on Wednesdays. There is a trolley that goes to all the small towns in the county. It runs from 7 to 7 daily. St. Mary's College is route 7. Schedule and routes can ge found at

    https://www.stmarysmd.com/dpw/stsfares.asp

    Beautiful, peaceful anchorage with great sunsets and clear water. 2 bars of WiFi.

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  • Review for Horseshoe Bend - St. Marys River

    Reviewed by: Paul Smyers, SV Nova, on Jul 6, 2020
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 43'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    3
    Pet Friendly:
    3
    Cell Service:
    2

    Excellent protection, holding, and scenery, but there are no services nearby and even the cell service is curiously poor in this area.

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  • Review for Horseshoe Bend - St. Marys River

    Reviewed by: Eddy Johnsen, Spiritus, on May 15, 2018
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 36'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    3
    Pet Friendly:
    5
    Cell Service:
    5

    The best part of dropping the hook here, other than the countryside scenery, protected waters and fabulous sunsets, is the visit to the college. Makes you think about how cool it would have been to be part of this type of scholastic environment.
    An easy row to shore. White pvc pipes mark several underwater obstructions.

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  • Review for Horseshoe Bend - St. Marys River

    Reviewed by: Jon Shaver on Oct 27, 2016
    LOA: 70'
    Draft: 8.0'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    3
    Shore Access:
    3
    Pet Friendly:
    3
    Cell Service:
    5
    WiFi:
    2

    This is one of the most beautiful places to spend a night while traveling the Chesapeake. We anchored there last September on the way up the Potomac to National Harbor and then again on the way downriver.

    Our boat is a beauty and the kids from the sailing program at St Mary's College came out to greet us and see the boat. The Dean invited us to use the college pier for dinghy tie up and shopping for provisions in town.

    Physical beauty is unmatched. So much so that we are going to anchor there this week (Oct 30) as we move the boat from Annapolis to Norfolk and then on to Charleston.

    I hope by recommending this that it doesn't end up overrun!

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