Cruising from Georgia to Virginia

Morningstar Marinas Golden Isles

St. Simons Island, GA

HIGHLIGHTS

Today St. Simons continues to draw tourists and summer residents for its wide-open beaches, world-class golfing and fishing and its relaxed island lifestyle and rich history. East Beach is the perfect place to unwind, collect shells, go for a bike ride or just take a stroll. The social hub of St. Simons Island is the Pier Village along Mallery Street, on the south end of the Island. The area is dotted with tempting boutiques, cafes and restaurants. The island’s setting on St. Simon Sound makes it a prime fishing location, for offshore excursions as well as inland- water outings behind the islands. Golf is a key pastime in the Golden Isles, and the PGA’s RSM Classic Tournament is held every November at the Sea Island Resort on nearby Sea Island, which has the most picturesque course around. Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles is closest to the village of St. Simons. This is a first-class service marina has more than 1,100 feet of transient dock and offers boat detailing, bottom painting, a courtesy car, restroom and shower facilities, a ship store and an onsite restaurant — The Coastal Kitchen.

Thunderbolt Marine

Savannah, GA

HIGHLIGHTS

"Savannah is the heart of Southern charm. Streets lined with Southern Live Oaks (Quercus virginana) draped with Spanish Moss, elegant homes dating back to the days of General Oglethorpe, the city’s founder, and situated in a county with over 650 miles of waterways, there’s something for everyone. Outdoor activities such as kayaking miles of beautiful untouched marshes that line the barrier islands alive with dolphin, great blue heron, bald eagles, snowy egrets, nesting osprey and pelicans. Hire one of the area’s many charter captains and spend a morning with lines in the water fishing for species such as flounder, spot-tailed bass and speckled sea trout. You can also utilize one of the area’s many fishing piers. Foodies will be thrilled with the plethora of great restaurants offering nearly any cuisine from traditional low-country favorites such as shrimp and grits or fried green tomatoes to Japanese fusion, authentic Italian to vegan, and everything in between. Whatever you have a hankering for, you’ll find it in Savannah. Located 15 minutes from downtown Savannah on the Wilmington River is Thunderbolt Marine, a full-service marina with nearly 5,000 feet of dock space and capable of hauling boats up to 180 feet. Amenities include a Crew Lounge, WiFi, laundry, and showers."

Harbour Town Yacht Basin

Hilton Head Island, SC

HIGHLIGHTS

Harbour Town Yacht Basin in Hilton Head, South Carolina is an intimate marina offering 100 slips in a world-class resort setting. The red and white striped Harbour Town Lighthouse welcomes guests to enjoy the marina’s modern facilities and services, and access to The Sea Pines Resort’s outstanding amenities and accommodations. It’s conveniently located on the ICW and offers easy access to the ocean via Calibogue Sound. CQ’s Restaurant is just a three-minute walk from the marina and has been a local staple for years, offering an array of freshly caught seafood. There is a small market within the marina complex for provisioning. Play a round of golf at Harbour Town Golf Links, home of the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage Tournament, and enjoy a quick bite to eat at the café overlooking the course.

Safe Harbor Charleston City

Charleston, SC

HIGHLIGHTS

Charleston is highly regarded for its history, art, food and nature, and the city has worked hard to protect these treasures. The Heyward-Washington House, built in 1771, and the Edmonston-Alston House, built in 1825, are both open for tours. During the Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens (March 19-April 19) each spring, visitors can tour many other homes, too — a surprising number of them still occupied by descendants of the original owners. The historic estates of Boone Hall Plantation and Magnolia Plantation are a short drive outside the city and provide a fascinating glimpse into Charleston’s rich past. In terms of hotels, inns and restaurants, there is something for everyone in Charleston. Many people visit the city each year just to sample its award-winning eateries. It’s almost impossible to compile a list of best restaurants — there are so many phenomenal ones, and new ones are opening all the time. But there are some perennial favorites that the locals return to again and again, including The Ordinary, Hominy Grill, Halls Chophouse, FIG, and Husk. For the best cappuccino in town, stop by City Lights Coffee. Charleston City Marina is one of the finest municipal marinas on the East Coast, offering easy tie-ups along their famous mega dock. They also provide a free shuttle service to various tourist sites and shopping locations around town.

Georgetown Landing Marina

Georgetown, SC

HIGHLIGHTS

Located on Winyah Bay, Georgetown has one of the largest seaports in South Carolina. Dive Captain Sandy, the Georgetown-born historian will help you navigate ghost stories, gators, campfire cooking and a plantation and swamp tour. In the mood for some fresh seafood? Stop at the waterfront River Room Restaurant set in the historic J.B. Steele building. To step back in time, visit Mansfield Plantation, a preserved 1,000-acre rice plantation. Tie up at Georgetown Landing Marina and venture out to explore this area that occupies a unique place in American history.

Barefoot Marina

North Myrtle Beach, SC

HIGHLIGHTS

Barefoot Marina is located along the beautiful Intracoastal Waterway in North Myrtle Beach and features national retail shops, quaint boutiques, an impressive selection of restaurants and eateries, and exciting entertainment and amusement offerings. There's excitement for everyone - Catch a live show at Alabama Theatre, the only live entertainment theatre in North Myrtle Beach and one of the best in the Myrtle Beach area, enjoy live music at House of Blues, or take a riverboat cruise down the majestic Intracoastal Waterway on the Barefoot Princess Riverboat.

Southport Marina

Southport, NC

HIGHLIGHTS

Located at the mouth of the Cape Fear River in North Carolina, Southport Marina is a prime destination for cruisers on the East Coast waterways. The area puts you within a day’s travel of both Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The marina is only a short walk to downtown Southport. You’ll stroll past 200- year-old oak trees as you head in to check out the many shops and restaurants. Southport has been an extremely popular filming location — everything from the new CBS series “Under the Dome” to the movie “Nights in Rodanthe” has been shot there. Southport Marina in Southport, North Carolina is located on the ICW at MM 309 and offers boaters over 200 in-water slips, 220 dry-stack slips, a full-service boatyard and a 75-ton lift and is within walking distance to restaurants, shops, and attractions of downtown Southport. The marina is also host to the annual U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament each October.

Wrightsville Beach Marina

Wrightsville Beach, NC

HIGHLIGHTS

Wrightsville Beach Marina and Yacht Club is located at ICW mile marker 283.2 on the east bank of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, one-tenth of a mile south of the Wrightsville Beach Drawbridge in a well protected "No-Wake Zone". Approaching depths to the fuel and transient docks average over 15 feet at MLW. The marina is also just 3 miles north from the "Class A" all-weather Masonboro Inlet which provides direct access to the Atlantic Ocean. Lose yourself in a vibrant array of locally owned shops and restaurants as well as colorful attractions - including a thriving arts and cultural scene, scenic cruises, and a World War II battleship. Stroll along the 230+ block National Register Historic District, brimming with Victorian-era homes and gardens. The brick-paved streets of downtown take you back in time as you ride along in a horse-drawn carriage.

River Dunes

Oriental, NC

HIGHLIGHTS

Visitors to this quaint village like to spend time watching the water, where there’s often a beautiful craft to admire, while the fall breezes sweep through the marsh grasses. The river that flows by these shores is the Neuse River, which dissolves into the Pamlico Sound to the north. From Oriental, you can watch recreational and commercial vessels as they navigate the Intracoastal Waterway, which runs down the middle of the Neuse. Then, go for a bike ride through town (the terrain is flat), and don’t forget to bring along binoculars, as Oriental is a favorite destination for birders. If you’re tying up for the night, head to River Dunes. Rated one of the top 25 marinas in the North America, it offers floating docks within a protected 28-acre inland basin harbor.

Anchorage Inn & Marina

Ocracoke, NC

HIGHLIGHTS

The Anchorage Marina on Ocracoke Island is located near the entrance of beautiful, naturally protected Silver Lake Harbor. Adequate water depth and dockage available for vessels up to 100 ft. in length with slips available for smaller boats. An on-site boat ramp is available. The Anchorage Marina offers a variety of exciting fishing opportunities! Only 18 miles from the Gulf Stream, their Charter Fleet specializes in full day Gulf Stream fishing.

Coinjock Marina

Coinjock, NC

HIGHLIGHTS

Located conveniently on the Intracoastal Waterway at Mile Marker 50, the Coinjock Marina has been a longtime favorite for transient yachtsmen traveling north along the waterway. With all the amenities you would expect from a world class marina the staff of Coinjock Marina demonstrates a willingness to accommodate your every need. With newly refurbished docks, an easy approach with alongside dockage, and a highly acclaimed dockside restaurant, you will soon see why thousands of visitors visit Coinjock Marina.

Tidewater Yacht Marina

Portsmouth, VA

HIGHLIGHTS

Tidewater Yacht Marina, located at mile marker 0, offers slips for vessels up to 130 feet and 11 feet depth at the docks. Just a half-mile south along the Elizabeth River in Portsmouth is Ocean Yacht Marina offering 1,500 feet of alongside dockage (24-foot dock depth) and a state-of-the-art refit and repair yard. The marinas are located in the heart of Portsmouth’s Olde Towne District, within walking distance of 18th- and 19th-century buildings, a riverfront park, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, the Lightship Portsmouth Museum, the Children’s Museum of Virginia and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.