Lot's of places! I've put a "*" on ones I wouldn't miss if the goal is not to get to the Bahamas as fast as possible.
* Right outside Bueufort is Cape Lookout National Park. Sea turtles, amazing birding and beach walking. Wonderful anchorage worth several days.
Southport - the town is nice. Also * Bald
Head Island (if worried about
depth enter at mid tide+. You can even go all the way up to Wilmington.
Georgewtown - enter Winyah Bay. Also you can go south on the
ICW for about five miles to some lovely creek
anchorages. You'll have to retrace your steps to leave.
* Charleston - Some of the best restaurants in the country. Lovely walking city with lots of
history. Tour the aircraft carrier. Go to Fort Sumpter.
Edisto River - Lots of great gunkholing.
Port Royal - Interesting town. Pass by Paris Island
Marine base. Some good
anchoring in Cowen Creek
*Hilton Head - enter from the South. Harbor Town marina (had some damage but think it's OK). * Go south on the ICW along
Cooper River all the way to the Savanah River for some of the prettiest marshes you'll ever see.
* Savannah - Another must. Great restaurants and walking. Dock right downtown. Or go in the Wilmington River to Thunderbolt (there was substantial damage in Thunderbolt so check first).
Wassaw Island - Great anchorage. The island is a National Wildlife Refuge with a
ranger. Also many creek
anchorages on the ICW behind Ossaw Island. Explore at mid tide+. Sapello Island is another wildlife sanctuary island but with some people too.
Jekyll Island - Come in from the South and use Jekyl Harbor Marina just before the bridge.
Cumberland Island - You can take the ICW all the way to St. Mary's. Absolutely beautiful.
Amelia Island - if Fernandina Marina is still damaged, you can go down to Amelia Island Yacht Basin before the bridge. Check with them on shoaling. Don't try near low tide.
Jacksonville - 186ft bridge
Big city with lots going on.
* St. Augustine - Damaged. Call places first. But an absolutely wonderful city to explore.
* Cape Canaveral - Great museum. Take the tour out to the launch pads. Amazing place.
With your
offshore boat, this is a great place to jump off to the Bahamas if you don't want to make stops further south in
Florida (which I personally find pretty boring). Orlando
Airport is only an hour away if you need to change crew. To not fight the
Gulf Stream, either go ESE 100 miles and then turn south to the Abacos or or hug the coast to West Palm and then cross. West Palm is a great place to provision with a Whole Foods.