Friday, May 29
Beaufort to Church Creek Anchorage
48.23 nm 9.75 hours underway
Today’s run was relaxed and unhurried – to the point that we chose to continue heading north to an anchorage we weren’t sure that we would reach. It would also make for a short jaunt to Charleston the following day.
The route wound (and I mean really wound) through the South Carolina Low Country. When we think of the ICW in Florida, we liken it to I-95 – a fairly straight shot. Through northern Georgia and South Carolina Lowcountry, it weaves back and forth continuously to where you feel like you’ve traveled 3 miles to go a mile north.
We came off the dock under calm skies – and did so much more gracefully than we came on – immediately to the view of The Big Chill House – a much better view than we had the night prior – and without an hour walk!
As the afternoon wore on, we turned into Church Creek and made our way toward the anchorage. Church Creek has earned a reputation among cruisers as a peaceful overnight stop, and it quickly became clear why. This was one of our first times anchoring with wind and current – and we struggled to figure out why the boat was going in the opposite direction of where we thought it should be. We’re used to pointing in to the wind to anchor. However, if there is current/tide, you need to point into THAT to anchor. After a couple drops and raises, the anchor set and we were secured. Thankfully, the tide was changing before bed time, so we were able to sleep soundly knowing that the anchor would not be changing due to the tides.
The few boats anchored nearby were well spaced, creating a feeling of solitude without isolation.
Dinner was simple – leftovers. Away from city lights, the night felt remarkably still. The occasional splash of a fish and the soft movement of water against the hull were the only sounds breaking the silence.
It was one of those evenings that reminds you why anchoring out is often more rewarding than tying up at a marina. No crowds, no schedules, no distractions—just the boat, the water, and the wildlife.
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