Heading to Cumberland Island
Cumberland Island is about 17. 5 miles long and is considered the most western point of shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean in the US. It’s 36,000 plus acres consist of marsh, mudflats, tidal creeks and beautiful untouched beaches. The only access to the island is by boat. The Cumberland Island Ferry in St. Mary’s offers a 45 minute ride to Cumberland Island.
Cumberland Island is a part of the national seashore as a result of a bill signed by Richard Nixon in 1972. Much of the island was sold to the federal government by the Carnegie family. The Mellon Foundation made donations which aided in Cumberland Island becoming a National Park
The history of the island is very interesting and can be read in great detail here at the Cumberland Island Conservancy website.
As we approached Cumberland Island, the light house on the northern end of Little Cumberland Island came into view. It marks the entrance to the St. Andrew Sound and the Satilla River. Prior to the Civil War the light house was called the St. Andrew Lighthouse. It was deactivated in 1915.
We meandered around to the southern end of Cumberland and came by King’s Bay Naval Station passing the western side and Drum Point Island and then headed back north on the Eastern side of Drum Point Island to find an anchorage.
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| This boat watches all boats very carefully. |
We anchored just above the Sea Camp Ranger Station Dock, and took the dinghy to the dock just below the Ice House Museum.
Joy