Sailing into the anchorage for Cumberland Island in Georgia is very straightforward. In a very easy inlet where the only worry are the breakwaters on either side. You do want to watch for them because they hide but there is plenty or room. Then up the river a bit with a turn to the right and then off the main channel to approach the island.

There are two primary anchorages and two docks. We chose the southernmost dock at the island and were able to anchor just off the channel across from the dock. We found great holding and deep water much further off the channel than we would have thought. Basically, we aimed for the marker which marks an old wreck and went as far off the channel as we felt comfortable.

Excellent holding with our anchor, with a tidal swing and high winds we never moved an inch. Although we did see a trawler need to reset their anchor once in 40 knot winds.

There is little infrastructure on the island, a few bathrooms, some buildings for the park service, and nothing much else. Certainly, nothing much to spend money on which makes it a great stop. We ended up staying a week which of course helped our bank accounts recover from too many restaurants.

The island has several camp sites, has a ferry that comes in with day trippers, and has a TON of trails. If you like to hike, enjoy the beach, or want to avoid people this can be an excellent stop over.

We arrived in early January and I think we saw three other people our whole time there.

One of my favorite things on the island are the ruins to a Carnegie mansion. Most of the island was owned by the Carnegie family in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The mansion was completed after Thomas Carnegie died and his widow Lucy lived in in for some time and built other estates for her children on the island. Most of which still stand, Including Greyfield which is now an inn and I think the only commercial building on the island.

The Carnegies moved out in 1925 and the mansion was destroyed by fire (arson) in 1959. The whole area is now run by the National Park Service and the supporting buildings such as the laundry, servant’s quarters, and the like are incorporated into the park services use.

Along with the ruins of the mansion are the many, many wild horses on the island. They will walk right up to you. And while you’re not allowed to basically do anything other than watch them, so no petting, feeding, etc. You will 100% see horses roaming free if you visit the island.

And then there is the seemingly endless beach which stretches for miles. Overall just a fun place to explore and to hang out for a while.