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GA Inlet Caution: Sapelo Sound Entrance
- Date Reported: Jun 2, 2022
- Reporter: Jani Parker
- Source: Waterway Guide Staff
- Description:
Overview: Used by fishermen and shrimpers, not to mention legendary pirate Edward Teach ("Blackbeard"). (You will pass just north of Blackbeard Island and Blackbeard Creek while transiting this inlet.)
Approach: Sapelo Sound Buoy "S" is at N 31° 31.217/W 081° 03.879'.
Navigation: Give both lighted aids and daybeacons a wider berth than usual in this inlet, especially around low tide. Keep track of your markers, running a compass course between distant ones. Many boats have erroneously run for an outlying sea buoy instead of a marker leading into a nearby tributary. Mind the markers at the western end of Sapelo Sound where the ICW route enters the Sapelo River. At low tide approach the whole stretch with caution. Shrimp boats came and go at all hours and often have their outriggers down increasing their beam up to 120 feet, which consumes a large part of the channel.
Current and trustworthy local knowledge required. From the sea buoy, proceed first to red nun buoy "2" and then head slightly south of west to green can buoy "3." Depths will drop from more than 20 feet down to 12 feet MLW along the way. If you see 10-foot MLW depths, you are in trouble and need to reverse course. At green can buoy "5," you will see 20-plus-foot MLW depths return, and it is a simple matter of following the red buoys in until you meet up with the ICW past red nun buoy "10." (Note that some buoys may be off station or missing.)
Cautions & Hazards: Southbound cruisers hoping to avoid the Georgia ICW rarely use this inlet, preferring to jump offshore through the big ship channels at Charleston or Port Royal, SC, or Savannah, GA. This is not the best inlet in rougher weather due to extensive shoals to the north and south of the inlet. Note that low slack water on Sapelo Sound Entrance occurs 30 minutes before it occurs at the Savannah River Entrance.
ICW Connection: Junction of Sapelo Sound and ICW is at Mile 632.
- Lat / Lon: N 31° 32.263' / W 081° 10.895'
