Cruise from Panama City to Apalachicola

[Hampton]

We'll be heading over to Apalach in the next few days. If we go outside, should we enter the bay West of St Vincent, Sand Island or the pass at Little St George Island?

Also, if we go the way of the Inter-Coastal, any words of advice?

340Da

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

You don't want to go into St Vincent Pass. Very shallow. Your channel is between Little and Big St George Island.

If it gets rough before you get to Cape San Blase you can cut into Port St Joe and take the channel to the ICW.

The ICW trip is nice at east bay and boring till you get to Lake Wemco. Just watch out for misc floating sticks and junk. :grin:

 

[Aarrhh & Aarrhh]

We made the trip last Nov. I went ICW the whole way and didn't have any problem! Just keep a sharp eye out for sticks/logs!! It took us 3 hours to make it from Tyndall to Scipo Creek Marina.

Be careful when you get to Lake Wemco DO NOT stray out of the channel. It gets real shallow faster than you would think.

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

And there are stumps just inches off the channell. No place for the faint of heart. :smt018

 

[chuck1]

And there are stumps just inches off the channell. No place for the faint of heart. :smt018

Sounds like parts of the TN river, just like home :smt100

 

[Hampton]

Thanks, everyone!

 

[Hampton]

The winds were reported very light, so we went on the outside. Caught some mackerel for lunch. Then the SW 5 - 10 knot winds turned SE at 15, so it was pretty rough on the second half. I slow cruised it to the 3rd inlet (the actual pass), then normal cruised to the marina - fun time!

For the return leg, we went inside to Port St Joe. It's a really pretty ride - I agree, stay dead center in the channel on the lake! Then, we went back outside to Crooked Island. Winds were NW at 10, so the waves were not too bad. It was cold out, which made it really romantic for the night on the island.

For the ride home, winds were still NNW, so we stayed in kind of tight to the shore and it wasn't too bad. Thanks again for the advice!

 

[chuck1]

Sounds like a great trip, any pictures??

 

[Hampton]

Sure, but give me some time. We have another trip to Destin for the Jazz festival this weekend, then some time to post, once taxes are filed.

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

I was down this Sunday. Looked just a little blustery. :grin:

 

[Hampton]

It was, but since we were out to kitesurf 2 of the 3 days, we were all smiles. The campfire on the beach didn't hurt either.

 

[Hampton]

We left the Panama City Jetties heading SE for Apalachicola:

I navigated up the Apalachicola River, then NW into the Scipio Creek toward the Marina:

 

[Hampton]

We arrived at the Scipio Creek Marina:

Shelli (left, of "Shell's Island" fame), Me (John), my sister-in-law Amy, and her husband Dan (right) enjoy dinner in Apalachicola

 

[Hampton]

We cruised inside to Port St Joe, out to the Gulf, then NE to Crooked Island where we Kite surfed, relaxed, and hit the beach for a sunset bonfire:

The sun set, and we called it a night:

 

[Hampton]

Back at the Marina, we enjoy sunset in our own little Paradise:

Our slip is hidden behind a breakwater inside the sound between Tyndall AFB, Fl, and Shell Island. Shell Island protects the Bay from the Gulf. It is uninhabitated, and free from all modern conveniences, except Sea Rays on the Beach. My brother Dan enjoys sunset from the bow of Shell's Island at our little marina:

 

[Hampton]

Oh, one more. My daughter is barely blocked to the left, but Shelli and sister Amy enjoy a book in the setting sun light:

The very next week we headed over to SanDestin with our local group to enjoy the docks at Baytowne Marina. The ride over was spectacular in the intra-coastal waterway, with Dolphin popping up every now and then, and an occasional American Bald Eagle encouraging us to enjoy our freedom.

At the Docks, Friday was calm, Saturday winds were SE at 30, and Sunday we stayed an extra day because the marina was getting hammered by winds NW at 35+. See associated thread.

 

[chuck1]

Great pics, thanks for sharing them :thumbsup: May want to make them a hair smaller before one of the Mods jump on you about the size :huh:

 

[Hampton]

Thanks, Chuck.

These pics are not on this website, if it makes a difference. They are links to a different site.

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

Choctawhatchee Bay can be a rough ride with westerly winds in the after noon. :smt100

Been there done that, got the bruises. :smt089

 

[chuck1]

Thanks, Chuck.

These pics are not on this website, if it makes a difference. They are links to a different site.

You're welcome :thumbsup: No the width is what gives some people a problem, have to scroll left or right. I think it has something to do with pics wider than 600 or so. I think your are set at 800.