Reviews: Fort Matanzas G81A

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Holding:
4.85
Good, Sand
Wind Protection:
3.46
Open North and Southeast
Current Flow:
1.85
Swift during tidal changes
Wake Protection:
3.85
Open North and Southeast
Scenic Beauty:
4.46
Ease of Shopping:
1.20
Shore Access:
4.23
Pet Friendly:
4.00
Cell Service:
4.50
WiFi:
1.00

  • Review for Fort Matanzas G81A

    Reviewed by: Brent Massey, True Story, on Jan 22, 2023
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 5.0'

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

    Well protected anchorage. We didn't go all the way to the anchor marker, but stopped closed to the ICW. Found 10-13 feet of water near the southern shore and stayed two nights. Our Mantus kept us securely attached to the sandy bottom the entire time, and came up clean when we pulled it. Dolphins are frequent and the sunsets were beautiful! There were as many as 9 boats anchored here, and room for a few more. As others have reported, the current does rip through here on the rising and falling tide!

    A word of caution: Follow the Bob423 side track into the anchorage, by hugging Green 81 and staying near shore. In 48 hours we watched 10 boats run aground by trying to run down the visual center of the inlet.

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  • Review for Fort Matanzas G81A

    Reviewed by: Tony Buntyn, Pocatalico, on Dec 3, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 4.0'

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

    Well protected anchorage just off of the ICW. Anchor inside of the No wake zone is preferred. Plenty of depth and good holding which is important because the current is ripping!

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  • Review for Fort Matanzas G81A

    Reviewed by: Mark Kitchens on Oct 20, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 43'
    Draft: 3.5'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    1
    Wake Protection:
    3
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Shore Access:
    5

    North side is deeper, good holding on this side also. What a current! we stayed over night, sunset and sunrise were amazing! The fort is gorgeous. Most people keep their wake down, but there are few late night early morning fisherman that speed through. Current guarantee's a changing view.

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  • Review for Fort Matanzas G81A

    Reviewed by: David Rowe on Sep 7, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 38'
    Draft: 3.5'

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

    Great stop for history buffs. Take the tour of Fort Matanzas. It's great! Tremendous reversing tidal current will guarantee your anchor will come up clean.

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  • Review for Fort Matanzas G81A

    Reviewed by: Jeremy Hatch, River Girl, on May 25, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 49'
    Draft: 5.0'

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

    The Park is open Wed. Thru Saturday. Others have covered the Anchorage-lots of room -deep swift currents on the N side, shallow swift currents in the S side! Holding is not the issue, even with the current swings, If you get a 15+ knot SE wind as we did, understand that the Ebb current will be a lively event with significant wave slap as it opposes the wind blowing straight down the channel.
    Nevertheless, it's a picturesque spot. Dinghy to the N. & S. sand bars near the inlet. The N. side National Monument is open at all times. The actual Fort Matanzas (S. side on Rattlesnake Island) can only be accessed via NPS ferry from the N side. A very interesting tour lasting

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  • Review for Fort Matanzas G81A

    Reviewed by: Malcolm Rubel on Apr 5, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 48'
    Draft: 5.0'

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

    There is shoaling at the entrance to the Fort Matanzas Inlet off the AICW at mile marker 793.2. Although it is well buoyed and the USACE scan is up to date, care should be taken to stay in the AICW channel until you arrive at Red "80A" where you will make a sharp turn east into the inlet, favoring the north shore of the channel. Anchor in 12' of water on the south side of the channel before you get to the Fort Matanzas Park landing. If continuing on make sure you favor the north shore as there is shoaling on the south shore starting at the Fort Matanzas Park landing and continuing on past the Park Center.Depths return to the south side and you can anchor in 8' of water just off the Rattlesnake Island beach.

    There is a solid 2+ mile an hour current that runs through this anchorage so make sure you have sufficient scope on your anchor to ensure holding with the tidal swing that will come during the night. A good anchor alarm is your best friend. Having said this, there is no question about how you will lay during the night: You will be in line with the current as will everyone else.

    Fort Matanzas is a National Park and tours of the Spanish fort start at the Park headquarters on the northern bank of the river where there is an interesting visitor's center worth seeing. The National Park Ferry is back running again after repairs. At low tide take your dinghy out towards the inlet and beach on Rattlesnake Island or a neat tidal island exposed at low tide in the middle of the channel so your dog can run free.

    We chose to anchor north of the Fort Matanzas Park landing dock in 12' of water mlw with excellent holding but in the area outside of the no wake zone. Wake issues slowed as the sun went down and we spent a restful night with good holding. This is the fourth time we have stopped here and we love it.

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  • Review for Fort Matanzas G81A

    Reviewed by: Benjamin Resch, La Mistinguette, on Jan 24, 2022
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 5.5'

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

    Great Anchorage south of St. Augustine. Current does run fast - 2kts or higher, but with appropriate ground tackle we held just fine through 3 tidal changes.

    We entered about 100ft off the N shore, and found 10 ft of water about everywhere.

    We didn't try to tour the fort, although we saw a ranger leading a group through it, so it appears to be open again.

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  • Review for Fort Matanzas G81A

    Reviewed by: Heath Phillips, Philyria , on Apr 19, 2021
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 35'
    Draft: 6.0'

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

    This is a great place to stop for the night. I wish that the Fort was open when we were there. The current here can really move quick so keep that in mind. Sand.

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  • Review for Fort Matanzas G81A

    Reviewed by: David Merchberger, Slo Pace, on Mar 25, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 3.8'

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

    Enter cut just south of 81A and follow center of channel. Carried 12 feet all the way to the fort on the south side of the channel.

    The no-wake zone starts just west of the fort and continues east to the park service dock on the north shore.

    Easy dingy ride to beach area for kids, dogs (and adults!)

    SWIFT current, but anchor held well and when it finally broke loose upon retrieval, came up with very firm sandy/clay.

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  • Review for Fort Matanzas G81A

    Reviewed by: Bruce Krizmanic, S/V Inspiration, on Jun 22, 2020
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 39'
    Draft: 4.7'

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

    We were not able to visit the fort due to COVID-19 but did enjoy the anchorage. There was a strong north wind but we were able to pull in far enough to find some protection. Trips to the beach with the dogs worked out very well.
    One thing to watch for is the VERY strong current, when it reverses it pulls the boat up against the anchor chain; even with our bridle the chain was rubbing against the keel making for a uneasy feeling.

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  • Review for Fort Matanzas G81A

    Reviewed by: Robert Sherer on Apr 23, 2019
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 42'
    Draft: 5.0'

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

    The main attraction is the National Monument that is free to visit. They have nature walks on wooden trails and a free tour of the fort. You can dinghy over to the park on the north side and beach your dinghy in the sand. You are not allowed to use the dock or land on the South Island; it’s off limits.

    You can continue onward in your dinghy and spend time at the beach on the Atlantic side.

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  • Review for Fort Matanzas G81A

    Reviewed by: Duane & Sonja Finch on Apr 9, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 39'
    Draft: 4.0'

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

    Very fast tidal currents. Dropped anchor at center of waterway, We held through the night. 35' chain, 75' rode. Anchor came up clean so we cannot say what is on the bottom. Dinghied over to the Fort, be careful of the fast current.

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  • Review for Fort Matanzas G81A

    Reviewed by: Noel Leeson, Amazing Grace, on Feb 24, 2019
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 44'
    Draft: 4.0'

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

    Great holding but close to inlet so quite a strong reversing current, open to South and North. Low speed zone so limited wakes but a lot of small boats around on the weekend. DInghy to the inlet beaches and then walk to the ocean, visit Fort Matanzas, convenience store within 1/2 mile. Good Verizon LTE signal.

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