Reviews: Rockhouse Creek

Review for Rockhouse Creek

Reviewed by: Peter Searles, Schuyler, on Apr 21, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 31'
Draft: 2.5'

This was a decent anchorage but there was a bit of wake activity from passing fishing boats. Anchored in 7-8 feet of water and the anchor set quickly. There was a tug and barge on the south shore that made 3-4 trips discharging what looked (and smelled) like dredge spoil. The small tug and barge repeatedly entered and exited the area near the south shore where they were working and had no difficulty with water depth from what I could see.

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Review for Rockhouse Creek

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 2, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

I really liked this anchorage, although approach can be somewhat challenging if you don't have accurate charting or the depth data you can overlay in Aqua Map. In general, stay closer to the north side of the channel on the way in, but not too close. Once inside the anchorage area, water is deeper on the north side. We anchored closer to the north side in 10 feet of water at nearly low tide. Small fishing boats go through here and although it's part of the No Wake area at New Smyrna Beach, they don't necessarily follow those rules. Not terrible but something to be aware of. Small beach on the south side for pet relief, but not good for walking; confusing signage may have been trying to tell us we shouldn't be there. Some bugs at night. Amazing cell signal on Verizon. Peaceful, and if you listen hard you can hear the ocean. The lighthouse's sweep of light was a pleasure to experience. We shared the anchorage with three sailing catamarans. I would definitely stay here again.

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Review for Rockhouse Creek

Reviewed by: James Brace on Jun 5, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Awesome spot. A few permanent boats but room for our 40ft in good depth. Dinghy over to the Atlantic beach!

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Review for Rockhouse Creek

Reviewed by: David Lochner on Jan 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 36'
Draft: 5.0'

A small compact anchorage. Well protected from wind and waves from most directions. Did not go ashore, weather was calm.

Shoaling has increased from the SE shore. Charted data is incorrect, shoals extend out about twice the distance as charted, found the bottom at 5 feet at low tide. The shoal limits available anchoring spots. Anchored in 8 feet (low water) about 75 feet from NW shore.

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Review for Rockhouse Creek

Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson, Last Chance, on Jun 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Somewhat easy anchorage just off ICW. Caution: I would not use the old anchor symbol from WG. That lies in a narrow busy weekend channel. Aqua Map USACE shows best way in. Favor east side coming off ICW. Favorite of ours and stop at least once each year. Great wave protection but can get some if staying close to ICW. Room for several boats with good holding. Drop the dinghy and run out to the sandbars and beaches just in from the ocean inlet. Good fishing. Remote sandy shore access. Note as of 6/12/21 there are 3 permanent sailboats taking up the prime anchorage real estate.

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Review for Rockhouse Creek

Reviewed by: Heath Phillips, Philyria , on Apr 19, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 35'
Draft: 6.0'

Watch your depth. I did not run aground but did have the alarm sound. Holding was great here. I did not go ashore.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Mr. Phillips told WG that the alarm was set at 6.5 feet.

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Review for Rockhouse Creek

Reviewed by: David Merchberger, Slo Pace, on Mar 24, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'

Enter mid channel from ICW, carried 10ft well into the anchorage. 7 boats in anchorage with room for more. Easy dingy ride northeast to beach for dog access.

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Review for Rockhouse Creek

Reviewed by: Emily on Feb 5, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 52'
Draft: 5.0'

Grounded at these coordinates: shoal on S side goes quickly to 2 ft. 29 degrees 03.771 min; 80 degrees 55.816 min

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Review for Rockhouse Creek

Reviewed by: Emily on Feb 5, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 52'
Draft: 5.0'

Great holding, once you find a spot. BEWARE of shoal at south side. Goes to 2 ft quickly! Grounded our bow w/ no warning, and had to call Boat US. Highly recommend Boat US. Capt. spent an hour ungrounding us. We have no pets and did not try to go ashore

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Review for Rockhouse Creek

Reviewed by: Tim Somers on May 5, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 57'
Draft: 4.5'

Great anchorage with dingy land access to numerous town/restaurants in area. Hear it is slammed on weekends but our Wednesday/Thursday nights were fine. Great holding. Airport near to watch the small planes but not annoying. A boat of youngsters come through around 6-7 PM looking to get on anyone’s boat. Little weird but no thank you although one boat did permit.

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Review for Rockhouse Creek

Reviewed by: Richard Councell on Apr 24, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 41'
Draft: 6.0'

Easy anchorage right off ICW. There were about six other boats so we were closest to channel but still safely out. There is an airport nearby and small planes practicing touch and go’s for a bit of noise.

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Review for Rockhouse Creek

Reviewed by: Ted Green, Slow Hand, on Nov 5, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 4.5'

Good overnight anchorage off the AICW. Room for 4 boats comfortably. Enter from the AICW along the north shore. Plan for reversing tidal currents less than a half knot. 3' tidal change.

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Review for Rockhouse Creek

Reviewed by: Jim G., Morningside, on Nov 30, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 5.6'

Anchored here 11/30/17. Entered at high tide and had at least 13ft depth. For at least a mile into the creek.

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