James J Steele - MPort Marina to Bryant’s Wharf

St Johns River

M Port Marina to Braynt’s Wharf

This was our second exploration out onto the St Johns River. Our goal was to boat up to Bryant’s Wharf in Welaka, then explore the Ocklawaha River, just across the St. John’s from Welaka and make a swim stop at Rocky Point on the North shore of Lake George.

We launched at MPort Marina in the Ocala National Forest. It is a little further south from Salt Springs Marina, which we like to think of as our ‘home port’, however, It is very shallow where Salt Springs Run enters Lake George, sometimes just a foot deep! At M-Port we have around 2′-3′ of water.

This trip runs basically North, past Salt Springs Run, Rocky Point, Drayton Island, Hog Island, and on. Mileages to different points of interest are on the boating map above. We set out with beautiful weather and an almost glassy Lake George which is quite rare! Lake George, being the second-largest lake in Florida, can oftentimes get quite nasty with wind and rain so check the weather forecast prior to venturing out! In fact on our trip back, while beached at Rocky Point, the wind picked up and we had a choppy ride back to M-Port…..James

Boating Map - M Port to Bryants Wharf — Boating Map – M Port to Bryants Wharf

M Port Marina to Braynt’s Wharf Notes

Boat Ramp:

30600 NE 96^th Place, Salt Springs

St. Johns River (Marion County), Lake George | $10 fee

Commercially owned for general public use. Single concrete ramp with grass parking for 24 vehicles with trailers and staging docks.

Distance: 15.5-miles one way, 31 miles round trip

Width and Depth:

Lake George is a large open lake, approximately 6 miles wide and 11 miles long, with no canopy. The St Johns River, on this section is approximately 1/2 mile wide.

The main channels of both Lake George and the St Johns River may average around 8′ – 12′ deep, while along the shorelines, depths can be as low as 1″, so keep an eye on your depth finder!

The Ocklawaha River had a pretty consistent width of 150′. The water was high on this trip and we averaged 10′ deep

Current – Tidal: The Ocklawaha has a nice steady flow in the 2 – 3 mph range.

Average Boating Speed: 4 mph, due to the maneuvering around downfall and overhangs, 7 mph in the more open areas.

Rest Areas: These are minimal along this section…depending on the water level.

Enjoy some anchoring time on the small beaches at Rocky Point. A firm clay-sand bottom is nice and along the shores are beautiful Rose Mallows and Palms.