Reviews: Pungo River G23

Review for Pungo River G23

Reviewed by: Paul Steindorf, Ohana, on Jun 5, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.5'

Right off the ICW here, but can further upstream if crowded. Anchor set easily and came up with moderate black mud which washed off easily. 9 ft depths. Good place to get an early start for the day.

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Review for Pungo River G23

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac on Jun 3, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

As you turn off the channel at Green "23" you will find a depth of 8 feet adjusted to the Pungo River at Belhaven Water Level Gauge when leaving the channel followed by an increase to no less than 10 feet moving back towards the anchorage icon. There is sufficient space for five or more 40 foot boats in the anchorage and room for a half mile up the Pungo River for more boats. Do not go further than the point on the east shore of the river as there is a known snag in the channel just beyond.

We anchored near the anchorage icon in 10 feet of water with good holding and good protection from waves, wind, and wakes. The biggest problem that we had was making sure that we set the anchor so that we were clear of crab pot buoys. The anchor set immediately, held through the night, and came up with a minimum of mud. Current is not an issue. There is a small beach for pet relief. Cellular service was surprisingly good.

The evening was perfect, with cocktails on the aft deck in comfortable temperatures, light winds, and, most important, no bugs. We have used this anchorage for years and it is one of our all-time favorites.

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Review for Pungo River G23

Reviewed by: Winfield Trice on May 26, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'
Draft: 4.0'

Good bottom of heavy clay mud. Good wind protection from north and east and fair from west. If holed up for the day awaiting a weather window you can experience modest rocking from distant wake from boats transiting the Alligator Pungo canal. Keep an eye out for crab pot floats when entering and choosing your spot.

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Review for Pungo River G23

Reviewed by: Jill Bockenstette, Pelagia, on Oct 19, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 45'
Draft: 5.5'

This is our second time anchoring here. It is right off the ICW and there is a tiny beach for shore access for the dog. It's very peaceful here.

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Review for Pungo River G23

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac on Apr 14, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Leave the AICW just before the entrance to the Alligator Pungo Canal at Green "23", turning north into Pungo River and to the anchorage. After leaving the travelway, depths increase to ten feet or more. At the anchorage icon there is 10 feet of water and plenty of protection from all directions except the south. There is plenty of depth further up the river and there are several excellent, well protected spots with plenty of swing room and all around protection. There is some current running down the river but nothing to be concerned about. Five boats were anchored the night that we stayed and there was room for another dozen boats. There is a small beach to take Fido to shore if necessary. Cell phone reception was good for all three major carriers. This is definitely one of the best anchorages we have used on the ICW.

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Review for Pungo River G23

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac on Sep 7, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

The Pungo River G23 anchorage is at the entrance to the Pungo-Alligator River canal. Oriental is 55 miles to the south and Coinjock is 77 miles to the north. It is probably the most strategic stopping point between these two destinations. It is also a lovely anchorage in its own right and a great place to stop for the night or longer. You are 500 yards off the intra-coastal but you are in a different world.

Leave the ICW at Green "23" and head north up the Pungo River to the anchorage icon. Once over the 8 foot depth spoils bank at the side of the channel the depth returns to 10 to 12 to well beyond the anchorage icon. Going further up the river will provide protection from south winds. We chose to anchor in 11 feet of water at the icon to take advantage of the 10 mph southerly breeze for the evening. The anchor set immediately and held with 60 feet of chain laid out. Although we were anchored in the river there was no discernable current to deal with. There was light chop from the southerly breeze but it did not bounce the boat at all. Traffic came by on the ICW but no wakes reached us. Even though it was a holiday weekend, there was no boat traffic passing us on the river.

This anchorage is out in nature. You can only see a couple of houses and the noise from the road is in the distance. There is a small sand beach for pet relief but there really is no other place to go to once on land. Belhaven is the closest shopping and it is about 9 miles away. Cellular internet connectivity is good for T-Mobile an Very Good for ATT and Verizon.

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Review for Pungo River G23

Reviewed by: Barbara, Irene, on May 21, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.0'

Beautiful- only thing is crab pots. Sone exposure. No waves. Great location!

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Review for Pungo River G23

Reviewed by: Robert Sherer, on Jan 11, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

The anchorage is protected from the west to north through the southeast. There's shore access on a sandy beach for pet relief and the holding is excellent in 10 ft of water. There's plenty of room for dozens of boats, you won't feel crowded. In 11 years of using this anchorage, I haven't been bothered by fuzzy-bills as I have been in anchorages north of here in the Alligator River.

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Review for Pungo River G23

Reviewed by: Heath Phillips, Philyria , on Nov 13, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 35'
Draft: 6.0'

Great anchorage with great holding. Bugs weren't an issue.

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Review for Pungo River G23

Reviewed by: Sheila G on Oct 14, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.5'

Beautiful, secure& quiet. Fourth boat in for the night with plenty of room for more. Small sandy beach for those who have a dog. Good cell and wifi. Very protected and can see why it's very popular. Will be back

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Review for Pungo River G23

Reviewed by: Jeremy Hatch, River Girl, on Aug 25, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 5.0'

Large anchorage with good holding in 8-10' mlw so by choosing your spot amongst the well spaced crab floats, you can find wave protection from the marsh as well as some wind protection from the treed areas. We much prefer it to the bugfest @ Tuckahoe Point (Alligator River end of the canal. ) A few watermen in mornings and occasional center console. Quiet at night.

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Review for Pungo River G23

Reviewed by: Robert Kovach on Oct 15, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 5.0'

No pets, did not go ashore. We went 1 mile or so up and local waterman are considerate as you can easily move through crab pots. Left a big open area 8 ft deep, great holding, and had it all to ourselves. Anchored at 35-33.58.5 N 076-28.56.7W. Area is called Upper Pungo anchorage turn NW FROM R24.

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Review for Pungo River G23

Reviewed by: Robert Sherer, on Oct 12, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

Good protection from all directions except the south which can be had by moving farther up the creek. This spot offers easy shore access for your pet on a sandy beach. Verizon has LTE service at 3 Mbps.

Drop your anchor in 10 ft of water, it won’t move.

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Review for Pungo River G23

Reviewed by: Robert Sherer, on Oct 12, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

The anchorage is never crowded and is protected from all directions except the south (if you need southerly protection, you can move farther up the creek by the anchorage area).

There is a sandy beach for pet relief. The sunsets are beautiful. Verizon has LTE service at 3 Mbps. Just drop your anchor in 10 ft of water.

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Review for Pungo River G23

Reviewed by: Robert Sherer, on Mar 25, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

We use this anchorage everytime we go south. It's protected and has a sandy beach for shore access for our dog. Anchor in 10 ft of water.

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Review for Pungo River G23

Reviewed by: Skipper Bob on Jun 1, 2016
Draft: 0.0'

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