We tried out two new places this week, north of Norfolk. The mission was to fit in some ‘short hops between rain drops!‘
Mill Creek is a handy stop to get out of the busy port of Norfolk, setting one up for a clean exit to the north when the time is right. We will stay there again… there several other cruisers who selected that anchorage with us last night. Even with the marked cable areas in this anchorage there is room for a dozen or more. The large marina there looked like their docks were aging. But there is a breakwater to reduce the roll. We found it to be 100% acceptable out in the anchorage. We saw two couples dinghy-ing into town, but didn’t try that out.
Mobjack Bay is on the SE end of Chesapeake Bay. Horn Harbor is just north of that.
This lesser-known (or lesser heralded) stop called “Horn Harbor” is a convenient 31 sm from Mill Creek. And it is right on our way north! NOT a long side trip from the ICW, which we like.
We arrived with about half tide going out (0.9 to 1 ft above MLLW). “Can’t be scared!” … was our thinking.
We read all the mixed reviews and decided we had to evaluate this one first hand.
The shallowest depth that Shelly read off to me was 5.6 ft. Most of the entrance was 6-7 feet. The channel was well marked, and the popular e-charts gave an accurate picture of what we signed up for to make this harbor.
We dropped the hook between R 18 and G 19 not too far from the marina. We were glad to see a variety of boats in that marina that probably had a similar draft to us, or even more, as there were a few “rag hangers” in there.
Horn Harbor Marina & Boatyard 804-725-3223
Port Haywood VA
I have not dinghy-ed in to make myself known to the marina yet. But I may. It’s only 2:00pm as I write this.
All in all, Horn Harbor absolutely makes our “will return” list because it is right on the way and well protected. We’ll probably choose an arrival and departure closer to high tide though “just because!”
https://waterwayguide.com/marina/horn-harbor-marina-and-boatyard
Bonus:
WWG reports their diesel price is $3.399 !!!
I am SOooo glad we got a little adventurous to check this place out.
