Monroe Creek is located on the Virginia (south) shore of the Potomac River near Sebastian Point. Monroe Creek is 10 miles south-southeast of the Harry W. Nice Bridge and about 38 miles from the mouth of the Potomac River at Point Lookout. Monroe Creek is has one of the largest concentration of well-equipped marinas on Virginia’s Potomac shore, and there are six marinas with varying levels of service including lifts for haul-outs, transient slips and gas and diesel fuels.

The image above is a view from the south looking north over the entrance to Monroe Creek off the Potomac. To the right (east) is Gum Bar Point and the Colonial Beach Yacht Center, while to the west (left), Sebastian Point can be seen with its distinctive sharp corner.

Use NOAA Chart 12285.

Though Monroe Creek can be approached more directly, we will discuss navigating infrom the main Potomac River Channel. First, navigate to flashing green buoy “25,” which is located in the area of waypoint N38 15.363 W76 54.432. Once you have picked up flashing green buoy “25,” set an approximate course of 245 degrees magnetic for 2.8 miles until you reach flashing red “2,” just northeast of the Monroe Creek entrance.

From flashing red “2,” head southwest to intercept quick flashing red “4” at the opening of Monroe Creek. Once you have picked up quick flashing red “4,” head in toward the opening, pass through, and make sure you honor red nun buoy “4A” and green nun buoy “5” close to the entrance. Depths in the approach channel and the marked channels inside are reported at six feet.

The marinas are located on the right side of the marked channel, but keep in mind that many of the marinas past Winkedoodle Point are in shallow (two-foot depths) water. Call ahead for latest conditions.

Local Notices to Mariners are now exclusively available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.