We’re back—and this time we decided to record from the bridge, which felt like a fitting upgrade for this stretch of the trip. Picking up from Amelia Island, we had to give one last shoutout to one of our favorite meals of the trip at Wicked Bao. It’s one of those spots you’d never find without a local tip, but wow—it delivered. The food was incredible, but honestly, what stood out most was the hospitality. The owner, Natalie, made it a point to personally connect with every table, and that kind of experience just sticks with you.
Crossing Into Georgia & A Little Boating Etiquette
From there, we officially crossed into Georgia—our first new state in quite a while—and made our way toward Brunswick Landing Marina. The trip itself had some excitement, including passing Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay (where we saw submarine degaussing coils—very cool) and dealing with a not-so-friendly wake from a speeding Coast Guard boat. Pro tip: slow passes matter out here. It’s just good boating etiquette.
Brunswick’s “Velcro Marina” Life
Brunswick turned out to be one of those places we didn’t expect to love as much as we did. The marina is known as a “Velcro Marina,” and now we get why—it’s incredibly social, super welcoming, and packed with perks like free laundry, happy hours, and a great community vibe. We explored downtown a bit, stopping at places like Spiral Wanderers Coffee Bar & Bookshop (which somehow combines coffee, books, and tattoos), Silver Bluff Brewing Company, and Reed’s Apothecary for dinner. We even squeezed in a round at The Sanctuary Golf Club, which ended up being one of the best courses we’ve played on the trip so far.
Anchoring Adventures & “Things That Fall in the Water”
After six days, we headed north again, dealing with fog delays, buggy marshes, and one very memorable anchoring moment where we accidentally launched a $120 windlass tool straight into the creek (yep… it’s still down there). We anchored overnight near St. Catherines Island in Walburg Creek, and it ended up being one of those perfect, peaceful nights where everything just worked—after a little troubleshooting, of course.
Hell’s Gate, Soft Groundings & Teamwork
The next day brought a couple of challenges, including a soft grounding near Ossabaw Island and navigating through the infamous “Hell’s Gate,” which definitely lives up to its reputation with narrow, shallow channels that require full teamwork. But we made it through and eventually arrived in Savannah, docking at IGY Savannah Harbor Marina.
Savannah: Worth the Stay (and Then Some)
Savannah ended up being a highlight. We spent time walking the Riverwalk, hopping on a trolley tour to get our bearings, and just soaking in the history and energy of the city. It’s one of those places where you could easily stay longer than planned—and honestly, we kind of did. The marina itself was top-notch—clean, modern, and incredibly welcoming—even if it meant a short ferry ride over to the historic downtown.
Hilton Head & A Bucket List Moment
From there, it was a quick hop into South Carolina and over to Hilton Head Island, where we’re currently docked at Harbour Town Yacht Basin. Pulling in by water instead of by car was such a cool full-circle moment for us, especially with the iconic lighthouse right in view.
And the timing couldn’t be better—we’re here during the RBC Heritage week, which has been on our bucket list for years. The plan is to anchor along the 18th hole and watch the tournament from the boat, which still feels a little surreal.
Final Thoughts from the Bridge
We’ve got golf lined up, family coming into town, and a full week ahead—but if this stretch of the Loop has taught us anything, it’s that the unexpected moments are usually the best ones. And maybe… just maybe… double check the anchor before you drop it.
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