Van Dyke Creek, GA Anchorage

Location: Anchorage – Van Dyke Creek, GA (N31°41.318′ W81°11.709′)

Duration: Wednesday Afternoon, 12/17/25 – Thursday Morning, 12/18/25

Reason: Overnight Anchorage Stop

Pros: Anchor Hold, Atlantic Ocean Access, Cell Service, Location, Mud Bottom (Easy to Clean), Near Island Beach Area, Near Channel, Swing Room, Water Depth, & Wildlife

Cons: Lacks Wind Protection, Nearby Shoaling, & Wake Zone

Stay Again: Maybe

We had planned to drop anchor at Walburg Creek (St Catherine’s Island, GA) but after going aground shortly after entering St Catherine’s Sound, we anchored along Van Dyke Creek instead.

• AquaMaps normally is one of our great resources will not be helpful in the creek.
• A great anchorage stop between Brunswick, GA and Thunderbolt, GA.
• Be vigilant regarding the local tides and opposing winds.
• Be advised, of restrictions that prohibit anchoring 150′ of a marine structure to include a private dock, 300′ of a marina and 500′ of a approved commercial shellfish areas.
• High tide is critical for Hell Gate passage.
• Navionics Charts offered the best underwater shoaling view, not AquaMaps or TimeZero in our experience.
• St Catherine’s Island is privately owned. Preserved for conversation, education, and scientific research, so public access to the interior is limited and requires permission from the St Catherine’s Island Foundation/DNR.
• Suggested is St Catherine’s Sound (Atlantic Entry) we used Morse buoy “STC” (N31 40.197 W81 00.187) as a waypoint, then followed buoy markers (3, 4, 5, 7, 9) northwest, watching for shoals near Medway Spit (flashing red “114”). We did not see any of these buoy markers.
• St Catherine’s Island is located between St Catherine’s Sound & Sapelo Sound.
• St Catherine’s Island is only 10 miles long, between 1 – 3 miles wide.
• The northern entrance is deeper (12′) but known for unmarked shoals. The southern entrance is shallower.
• The northern end is known for “boneyard” of bleached trees. Highly recommended to avoid the northerly winds.
• We entered from the north and exited from the south.
• Wildlife consists of alligators, deer, eagles, and hogs.