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St. Augustine North (San Marcos) Mooring Field

Location: North of Bridge of Lions
Mile Marker: Mile 778
Lat / Lon: N 29° 53.660' / W 081° 18.565'
Description: 28 mooring balls managed by the St. Augustine Municipal Marina.

NOTE: Per Florida Statute 327.4109

The owner or operator of a vessel or floating structure may not anchor or moor such that the nearest approach of the anchored or moored vessel or floating structure is:
1. Within 150 feet of any marina, boat ramp, boatyard, or other vessel launching or loading facility;
2. Within 300 feet of a superyacht repair facility. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "superyacht repair facility" means a facility that services or repairs a yacht with a water line of 120 feet or more in length; or
3. Within 100 feet outward from the marked boundary of a public mooring field or a lesser distance if approved by the commission upon request of a local government within which the mooring field is located. The commission may adopt rules to implement this subparagraph.

4.63

(8)

4.63 out of 5 stars

Holding:

5.00

Wind Protection:

3.50

Good, although some wake action from river.

Current Flow:

3.13

Wake Protection:

2.86

Good, although some wake action from river.

Scenic Beauty:

4.50

Ease of Shopping:

5.00

Shore Access:

4.71

Pet Friendly:

4.60

Cell Service:

4.86

WiFi:

1.20

Review for St. Augustine North (San Marcos) Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Xiaolun Sun, Anodyne , on Dec 17, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 32'
Draft: 4.5'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

2

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

3

Pet Friendly:

3

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

Staff was very responsive in answering questions and making reservations, but very rigid and unaccommodating in assigning mooring balls. We asked for a mooring close to the dinghy dock because we have a row boat. Even though there were several free mooring balls throughout our stay, they wouldn't change our mooring assignment, which was at the far end of the field. Otherwise, we liked the moorings, well maintained, widely spaced, and what a view!

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Review for St. Augustine North (San Marcos) Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Shawn Murphy, Gradle, on Feb 27, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

Nice mooring field. The moorings are well maintained. The eyelet on the mooring line was a little small though. We're on a catamaran so we needed to pass two lines through the eye. A little tricky to do quickly. This is not a quiet anchorage. There is the typical noise from the city and frequent boat traffic. It's a trade off for being so close to everything. The dinghy dock at the marina was convenient, right near the exit to the marina.

The staff at the marina were a little off putting. As I was coming into the inlet I called to see what mooring we were assigned. He told me he couldn't tell me that information advance. I said I was coming into the inlet. He then said he couldn't tell me because he didn't know my name or the name of my vessel. Very strange. Why not just ask my name? They were rude on the VHF when I checked after tying up. I didn't think I would get WiFi way out on the mooring but I asked out of curiosity. The guy was flippant, saying it depended my device. Why not just be honest and say that I'm too far away. This wasn't some young kid with limited experience either. Maybe that's just staffing at a city marina? I don't expect anyone to bend over backwards for someone who's renting a $28 mooring. I just expect a little kindness. I will stay here again out of necessity not out if desire. I give the staff two stars.

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Review for St. Augustine North (San Marcos) Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Heath Phillips, Philyria , on Nov 23, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 35'
Draft: 6.0'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

2

Current Flow:

2

Wake Protection:

2

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

Great location. It can get pretty choppy here if winds are from E NE. Current is pretty strong as well. Great views of the fort! Municipal marina offers dinghy access for $12 that includes showers and laundry.

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Review for St. Augustine North (San Marcos) Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Len Barton on Jul 6, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 41'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

1

Scenic Beauty:

5

Cell Service:

5

I've stopped here a number of times over the years and enjoyed it everytime.
Don't know about going ashore from here but would advise a different location if that's what you need.
Wakes are an issue during the day. But nights are peaceful.
St. Augustine is definitely worth seeing. The fort is also a great piece of history.
If you are needing any equipment or gear for your boat, Sailors Exchange just up the road is one of the largest used marine stores in the country. Of course you can get just about anything in St. Augustine.

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Review for St. Augustine North (San Marcos) Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Pat & Kathy, Puffin, on Jun 29, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

4

WiFi:

2

Stayed here for 2 nights in early June. East dinghy access to marina facilities and St. Augustine. The staff is always friendly and helpful. Phone service is good but internet was weak. There are light and noises of the city but this adds to the ambiance. Several tour boats pass by in the early evening and during the day. Excellent view of the Fort. The
Bridge of Lions only opens on the half hour so the North field made for an easy early morning get away.

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Review for St. Augustine North (San Marcos) Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Paul Smyers, SV Nova, on Apr 17, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

1

Wake Protection:

1

Scenic Beauty:

3

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

We used the southwest-most mooring ball on two separate occasions. In this position you are pretty much "the view" from the public pier next to the big intersection. We were in the background of several wedding photo-shoots. You are VERY MUCH on display. There are even tour boats that come THROUGH the mooring field on a semi-regular basis.

The wifi signal from the marina is pretty crappy even this close, but cellular is of course great on all carriers.

There is a pretty big amount of tidal current, though! And some days the wind can get to blowing pretty hard. When the two are against each other the boats go in all directions. Fortunately the mooring balls are widely spaced and there is no concern of even large modern cruising boats coming in contact with each other.

The dinghy dock for the north mooring field never has more than a handful of boats on it so finding a spot is super easy.

The bathrooms are fine, and the laundry is good.

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Review for St. Augustine North (San Marcos) Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Mark Bowers, S/V Lorraine, on Sep 27, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 39'
Draft: 5.5'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

Cell Service:

5

We pulled in here after an overnight passage from Palm Beach. We got a mooring in the North mooring field near the fort. Wakes were not bad, the dinghy dock was convenient, and the scenery can't be beat.

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Review for St. Augustine North (San Marcos) Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Plan B on Sep 13, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 44'
Draft: 6.0'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

3

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

The North field (San Marcos) is so beautiful at night. Hear the cannons all day and gas lamps by night.

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