Recommend coastal anchorage between Charleston, Georgetown and Beaufort NC?

[Katabolic]

I want to sail Charleston to Beaufort NC in two (long-ish) one day hops instead of sailing an overnight. We just sailed a 52-hour stretch from south Florida and want to take it easier before going the next overnight long leg. I’m in a lagoon 440, too tall for the ICW.
Can Anyone recommend a decent anchorage along the way?
Wilmington is well along the route and seems to have only so so spots, per active captain.
Georgetown looks too close and day two will be long.

Thanks!

[Ded reckoner]

I can tell you how we went from Charleston to Beafort, NC. Although it was all done in one day hops, almost all hops were overnight so that we left and entered channels in daylight. And, it took more than two days.

From Charleston, we went the 68NM to get up Winyah Bay and anchor at Georgetown, SC just SW of Goat Island off the dock of the last house on the SW bank before reaching the channel for the Sampit River Bridge. We anchored for a few days in the middle of the channel since there are angling fishing boats but no commercial traffic. If you continued N just past the channel for the Sampit River Bridge, it shoals (we have a 6ft 5in draft). You can take a dinghy to any of the three free city docks which are along the waterfront.

It was 91NM to the Cape Fear River. This river had some of the highest currents we've experienced. The tows and freighters don't throw off much wake, but you'll notice the high ferry traffic. It is possible to anchor on this river, but you will remember the experience. There're two marinas, one in Southport and another further up the river, Deep Point that might be preferable. A friend recommended anchoring at the Smith Island Range north of Bald Head, but we didn't try there.

From Cape Fear, we went the 30NM or so on the ICW to Wrightsville Beach, NC. This was less than half the distance going offshore which we figured was 69NM. But, there's a single fixed bridge with 65ft clearance on the ICW route. You don't indicate what your air draft is, but this could determine your choice.

From Wrightsville Beach, it was 72NM to an anchorage on the S side of Sugar Loaf Island off Morehead City. There's a free city dinghy dock about half way down the waterfront. With your cat, you shouldn't have any trouble getting in and anchoring on the N side of the island (if you can find a spot with no crab traps; the area near the public dock off Sugar Loaf Island could be your best bet). Beaufort, NC is across the bridge. We never went to Beaufort, but we biked around Morehead City a few days.

[Katabolic]

I Appreciate all that detail! We might be better off relaxing the schedule and taking three hops.
Our air draft is over 70’ and we draw about 4’3” so the ICW bridges block us.

We have friends near Wilmington and we’re thinking about inlet access in the wrightsville beach or other points north of cape fear. Are there good spots to duck in along there?

[mjscottinnc]

I draw 4 1/2 and if your in daylight rather then going around frying pan shoal take the cape fear slue if your heading to Beaufort. Never had an issue using it and there is usually a fishing boat to show you the way.

[SailSonoma]

You can put in at Wrightsville beach, turn right and proceed up Banks Channel, you'll find great anchorages up that way, and a public dingy dock by the base of the bridge.

I'd also recommend the anchorage north of Bald Head referred to in the previous post. Very remote and picturesque.

[sloboats]

I am currently in Carolina Beach, sailed up from Charleston. I have found that the anchorage next to the Yorktown is very good, good holding...stay away from the Ashley river!
The inlet at Wrightsville Beach is easy and short. Two choices both great holding and both shore access. Wrightsville Beach just south of the fixed bridge...public dinghy dock and Carolina Beach good holding and also mooring balls available

[Katabolic]

Thanks for all the tips. We decided to make it three hops, Charleston to Georgetown, then wrightsville beach, then Beaufort NC. Just spent nice a night by mother Norton shoal near Georgetown and we are heading out on the next leg. Convenient spot is SW breeze, just inside the channel, light house view. Morning fishing boats helped “wake” us up 😄

[Sailorman Ed]

Isn't the Snow's Cut bridge too short for you? We went thru the Frying Pan Slue in the middle of the night, a little nerve racking the first time but much shorter than going up the river. I found the buoys right where the chartplotter said they would be.