The Halifax River and Tomoka River Basin

As we head north towards Ponce de Leon Inlet we slip into what locals call "the south channel" which forms a third link to the waterway. It is well marked with good protection. Traveling north the ICW flows into the head waters of the broad but shallow Halifax River, with the Tomoka River Basin just to the west.

The history of the Halifax River and the Tomoka River Basin stretches far back into the era when only native Americans wandered Florida's land and water. In 1605 Alvaro Ybarra visited a cove on the Tomoka River called Nocoroco. There he saw four Indian villages huddled on the shores of the cove. Today, you can still visit the historic site of Nocoroco now known as Fairland and is part of Tomoka State Park.

During the second period of Spanish rule, which began in 1783, development was encouraged by the government of all who were willing to take an oath of loyalty to the Spanish King. Settlers began to carve vast landholdings out of the wilderness surrounding the twin rivers. By 1821, when Florida finally came under American control, it is estimated that sixteen plantations occupied the rich lands between the Tomoka River Basin and New Smyrna.  

We pulled into Palm Coast Marina about 3:00 p.m. which is a popular resort community lining the western banks for several miles. This resort boasts many beautiful homes and a labyrinth of small canals.





This gives us an opportunity to visit with our dear friends Arthur and Pauline Berk, past neighbors from Dinner Key Marina. Here in Palm Cove Marina, we get to hang out with them on their Choey Lee "Freedom". 





With dinner, drinks, and music we catch up on old times before we head on up to St. Augustine.