Fernandina Beach

Jacksonville Beach to Fernandina Beach, FL - July 26, 2016

Miles Today: 30.7 NM

Total Miles: 261.9 NM

We have a deadline to meet.  In fact, there are actually two deadlines we must meet.  Deadlines and schedules on boats are generally verboten.  When cruisers try to be at a particular place by a specific date there is always the potential of pushing it to get there ‘in time’ and running into trouble.  We have a general rule that if the winds will remain <15 knots, waves lower than 2-3 feet, tides and currents are in our favor, we can pull away from the dock and follow the route we mapped out the night before. Otherwise, we stay put and enjoy our forced relaxation.

The two deadlines involve taxes and insurance.  The State of Florida required that our boat had to be out of Florida waters within 90 days of the purchase or pay 6% sales tax.  For hurricane protection (between June 1^st- Nov. 1^st), our insurance company wanted us above 31° latitude by June 30^th (they gave us a bit of a break).  However, as we found ourselves delayed by various repairs, we obtained a rider until August 1^st. 

Following Rule #1 – plan for additional days to get to a particular destination – we knew we needed a 3-4 day window to get to Brunswick, GA (above the 31^st parallel) from Jacksonville Beach without hurrying and allowing for contingencies.  (It could actually be done with one overnight stop, but then there’s that darn Rule #1.)

Waiting for a rising tide, we left Palm Cove Marina late morning. This time there was 3-4 feet of depth in the channel – much less white knuckles than when we entered a week before.  

Heading up Pablo Creek toward St. Johns River.  Beach Blvd Bridge behind us.

We would be crossing the St. Johns River and following Sisters Creek north.  Georgia had done a lot of reading about the St. Johns and how you really had to be alert to all the traffic – especially the large container ships arriving and leaving the busy port of Jacksonville – and the currents that could move you off course.  We glided out of Pablo Creek into the St. Johns, heads and binoculars swiveling around quickly – looking to our right out toward the Atlantic and left up river – nothing!  Except for a couple of small boats and a mid-sized barge, the river was practically empty.  We breathed a sigh of relief and enjoyed the ride.

Crossing St. Johns River - not much traffic and we were prepared for the currents 

Before the turn up Sisters Creek

Along the waterfront

Barge and towboat we passed on the St. Johns River

Up Sisters Creek, to Broward Creek, through Gunnison Cut, then Sawpit Creek, across Nassau River, into South Amelia River, up Kingsley Cut and under the Kingsley Creek Twin Bridges (65’ clearance) and Kingsley Creek Railroad Swing Bridge, back on the Amelia River, turn to starboard (right) – and voilà, we arrive at Fernandina Beach Marina!  We saw some shallow water, but nothing less than 4 feet below our keel.  We are getting accustomed to "skinny" water.

Heading up Sisters Creek

Nuclear Power Plant seen from Sisters Creek

Passing under Kingsley Creek Twin Bridges and approaching Kingsley
Creek Railroad Swing Bridge.  No lights or whistles letting you know if
a train is coming - use your ears and "listen" for a train (above the noise of your engine!).

Fernandina Beach is a cute waterfront town on Amelia Island, FL.  Lots of tourists were on hand, walking the streets and enjoying the many shops, restaurants, novelty stores.  There was storm coming and the clouds were getting darker.  We strolled a few streets but the heat and possible rain had us looking for a place to relax and have dinner.  We stayed an extra day, slept late, tried to stay cool and enjoyed watching the little ferry and boat tours come and go from the dock across from us.  

Right across from us in the harbor was a very strange looking structure.  It looked like some sort of vessel, but it was up on pilings. Wat?  It is the Amelia Research and Recovery vessel, the Polly-L. Their website isn't very explanatory about how it operates, but it does appear to be used for sea bottom exploration - research, drilling, and even looking for shipwreck treasures!

Amelia Research and Recovery's ship, the Polly-L

We’d like to come back to Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island to explore and enjoy when it’s a bit cooler and when we aren’t outrunning the tax man.

Pirate in front of Fernandina Beach's Tourist Info Center
(Bad placement - that power box isn't the Info Center)