Mattox Creek Inlet

About

Introduction:

Mattox Creek, although fairly deep at its opening (seven-foot depths) shallows quickly to four- and five-foot depths after you clear Payne Point at flashing red “4.” The Harbor View Marina is located just inside Fox Point, just 1.5 miles from the entrance with transient slips and a lift for haul-outs.

The image above is a view from the north looking south-southwest over the opening to Mattox Creek. The tip of Paynes Point is visible on the right-hand side of the image, as is the wide opening of Mattox Creek.

Navigating the Water:

Use NOAA Chart 12285.

Although you can make a more direct approach into Mattox creek, We’ll describe here how to navigate to the area from off the main Potomac River channel. From flashing green “25,” which is located at an approximate waypoint of N38 15.365 W76 54.435, set a course of about 239 degrees magnetic for 3.7 miles to reach flashing green “1,” which is situated north of the wide Mattox Creek entrance.

From flashing green “1,” head south to intercept red daybeacon “2,” green daybeacon “3,” and then flashing red ”4,” which is located at the end of a long shoal that leads south from Paynes Point. Farther inside, Red daybeacon “6,” green daybeacon “7,” green daybeacon “9,” and green daybeacon “11” lead you to the upper reaches of the creek.

Local Notices to Mariners:

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