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Factory Creek

Location: Beaufort River
Mile Marker: Mile 536
Lat / Lon: N 32° 25.283' / W 080° 39.767'
Depth: 7-14 Feet
Description:
This anchorage is somewhat narrow for larger vessels. Enter as if heading to the marina, favoring the red side of the channel, as there is only 6 feet at MLW near green daybeacon 1. Then anchor in a minimum of 7 feet of water past the marina. Anchored boats pay a fee to dock dinghies at the marina. Or, you can anchor closer to the public boat ramp before the marina and dinghy ashore there.

4.20

(5)

4.20 out of 5 stars

Holding:

4.80

Excellent, Mud

Wind Protection:

3.80

Exposed to West

Current Flow:

3.00

Wake Protection:

3.80

Exposed to West

Scenic Beauty:

3.20

Ease of Shopping:

3.75

Shore Access:

4.80

Anchored boats pay a fee to dock dinghies at the marina. Or, you can anchor closer to the public boat ramp before the marina and dinghy ashore there.

Pet Friendly:

4.80

Cell Service:

4.60

WiFi:

1.00

Review for Factory Creek

Reviewed by: MARK GLOVER, COOL CHANGE, on Apr 20, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

3

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

4

WiFi:

1

Good holding with easy access to the public boat ramp and only a mile from the free dock at downtown Beaufort. Some boats from the ramp are respectful and some will wake you. It can get crowded and a little "skinny" in and out, but time the tides and you will be good. Anchor came up covered in mud so be ready with the water. We enjoyed 2 nights there and would stay again.

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Review for Factory Creek

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Nov 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

3

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

We anchored here one night on 11/20/23. There were four sailboats and us all lined up alongside the channel. I think the sailboat closest to the boat ramp was unoccupied, but it looked to be in good condition.

Some road noise. Wake protection was okay from the folks who decided that the No Wake signs did indeed apply to them.

Easy shore access by dinghy at the boat ramp dock nearby. Very small park there with some grass for dog relief, but right next to a busy road. There were garbage pails on site but no restrooms.

(We visited Beaufort at the Free Dock earlier in the day, parking there for a few hours before moving the boat to the anchorage. It was a good way to explore the town without having to pay for a marina.)

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Review for Factory Creek

Reviewed by: Abroad Reach on Mar 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 37'
Draft: 4.5'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

3

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

We've used this anchorage many times over the years and love it, but when we came through in March 2023 there were a lot more long-term boats taking up most of the anchorage. The area to the west of the launch ramp but before the cable area is the best spot.

Pros--The holding is great and it is protected from almost every wind angle. Winds from the west can make it a little choppy especially when the wind opposes the current but still not bad. It is an easy dinghy ride to the Beaufort waterfront free dock so you can explore the town. The launch ramp provides easy shore access closer to the anchorage. There is a Publix about a mile down the road.

Cons--While it is in a no-wake zone you'll find that there are still quite a few small boats buzzing around. The road noise is also pretty loud.

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Review for Factory Creek

Reviewed by: Brian Chapin, Tug Life, on May 8, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 25'
Draft: 2.5'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

3

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

Channel past the marina too narrow even for our 27 ft boat. There are lots of docks on one side and at low tide exposed mud on the other side. More swing room before public ramp/dock with anchored log term sailboats. Good holding in mud. Some noise from bridge. Worth stopping at day dock adjacent to park and downtown before moving over to anchorage or marina.

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Review for Factory Creek

Reviewed by: Skipper Bob on Jun 1, 2016
Draft: 0.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

2

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

2

Ease of Shopping:

4

Shore Access:

4

Pet Friendly:

4

Cell Service:

4

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer