Tourist Trap

It’s not all glamour and ascots in the cruising world. We depend on cruising guides published by individuals and organizations often based on reviews by other boaters. We look for the services offered, depth of water and amenities near by amongst other things.

The printed guides are sometimes dated, containing details that are no longer true. Online reviews maybe be more recent but it is important to check the date of posting and water level. The last is especially importantes on the rivers where water levels and therefore depth can change dramatically overnight.

We kept that in mind when deciding to come into Birdsong Marina. It is home to the only freshwater pearl farm in the Unites States so was on my wish list. The channel in is very shallow and meanders considerably. The channel is well marked but there were still some pucker points. John did a great job of hand steering. He had to balance speed to ensure he had steerage but not go too fast in case we ran aground.

The museum is primarily a gift shop. This was not a disappointment as this was what I expected. However, they did show a short video explaining the process and why the farm was located here. The basic ingredient is the water and the minerals it contains leeched from the surrounding limestone. At one time the farm was close to seven acres of net baskets suspended in the bay. It is significantly smaller than the picture included in my cruising guide.

Our next door slip neighbour was not included in the cruising guide either.

Overall, we are glad we went but will list it as one of the least glamorous stops.