Anchorage

Fort Matanza

Shelter: N, NE, E, S, SE
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage in the Matanzas River off the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, near Fort Matanzas National Monument, south of St Augustine, Florida.

Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

The anchorage lies off the ICW near statute mile 792.5. Leave the marked channel at green 81 and follow the curve of the land, favouring the northern shore once inside the Matanzas Inlet channel. Hold close to the bank; boats that run down the visual centre of the inlet have grounded. Anchor inside the no-wake zone.

Practical

No facilities. Sand bottom with good holding and ample depth. The anchorage is sheltered from north through south-east; exposed from the west. Strong tidal current runs through on the flood and the ebb, so allow plenty of scope. Marineland Marina lies 3.1 miles to the south-east.

Ashore

Fort Matanzas National Monument stands on the river. The Spanish built the stone watchtower in 1742 to guard the southern approach to St Augustine. A small beach by the National Park Service ferry dock leads to the visitor centre on the north shore of the inlet.