Greater First Colony Area Civic Association

Beach and Marina

The  First Colony Beach and Marina are located on the James River, which borders First Colony on the west.  The beach and marina facilities are available to current, paid members of the Greater First Colony Area Civic Association.  The marina offers boat slips, boat parking, boat launching, a large fishing deck, a gazebo, and a sand beach.  The marina was dredged in 2003, and has been completely refurbished in 2004. 

The beach comes with  beautiful views of the James River, historic Jamestowne, and awesome sunsets for enjoying with your family, friends, and neighbors.  The gazebo at the beach is available for private parties for up to 50 people with prior reservations.

 

Each GFCACA member household is provided with a unique code to the security gate for entry to and exit from the beach and marina. For information about the use of the gate, read the How To and the Frequently Asked Questions here.

  To reserve the gazebo or get information concerning boat and ramp fees, call Richard Schauffler at 259-2024 or e-mail 
Richard at FirstColonyGazebo@gmail.com
 .

We invite all members of the association and their guests to enjoy the beach and marina.


Wind/Water/Weather on the James
(Outside links)

 Jamestown Island Data Buoy

 Williamsburg Weather 

 

   

The marina and the new fishing pier. The pier was rebuilt in 2007. It includes seating, fishing pole holders, and a bait-cutting table, as well as sweeping views of the James River.

The beach/marina party deck. Many folks gather here almost every day to watch the sun set over the James River.

 
First Colony marina is proud to serve as host to the William & Mary Sailing Club.
Club members contribute to the community through free sailing instruction and work days. For the schedule of student sailing regattas and other information about the team, click here

Rules developed by the community to promote the shared use of the beach and marina are listed below, and cover such things as hours, guests, supervision of children, pets, boat storage, and other important details. 

To report use of the marina by unauthorized persons, or mis-use of the facilities by anyone, call Bob Kane (Neighborhood Watch) at 564-0099, or call the police non-emergency number 566-0112.

 Greater First Colony Area Civic Association

 Beach and Marina Rules

 

  1. Beach and marina are solely for the use of association members in good standing.  Guests must be accompanied by a member at all times.
  2.  All vehicles must have the current year membership decal prominently displayed.  Any vehicle not displaying a valid membership decal, and not the guest of an association member, will be considered trespassing and will be asked to leave the property.  Any person using the facilities, who is not a member in good standing or a guest accompanied by a member, will be considered trespassing and will be asked to leave the property.  Any person who is trespassing may be prosecuted.
    1. Members may request a temporary pass for house guest’s vehicle by contacting the beach/marina chairperson at least 72 hours prior to the requested date.  Temporary passes will be valid for the vehicle and period specified on the pass.
    2. All vehicles must stop for the security attendant when present.
  3. Children of members are not allowed to sponsor more than three guests at one time nor may they reserve facilities. Guests must be accompanied by a member at all times. 
  4. Children under the age of 12 cannot swim unless accompanied by an adult member for their own safety.
  5. Fishermen have priority use of the fishing pier.  Parties are not allowed on the fishing pier.
  6. The party deck is available on a first come basis for groups; however it is the only handicap accessible area of the beach; please be courteous.
  7. Open fires (uncontained) are not permitted on the beach or marina at any time. 
  8. Swimming is restricted to the designated area (roped-off) of the beach.  Swimming in the marina is prohibited.  Swimming is at your own risk.
  9. Guests are permitted within reason.  For groups of ten or more, sponsor must reserve the gazebo. Use of the gazebo is by reservation for groups of ten of more.  An association adult member is required to be present at all times during any party at the gazebo.
  10. Boats and trailers must have the appropriate marina decals prominently displayed to use the launch ramp, slip or boat/trailer storage area.  Boats must be currently and properly registered or documented for use in Virginia.  Any boat with a gas/diesel engine being stored at the marina (either in water or on land) must maintain a minimum of $100,000 liability insurance.  Proof of insurance and registration must be submitted when fees are paid.
  11. Trailers using association facilities must maintain current Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles registration.  The trailer must be registered to the association member.  Any non-registered and/or expired trailers/boats being stored at the marina may be towed at the owner’s expense.
  12. Marina fees will be due no later than Jan 31st. 
  13. Launch fees shall cover all watercraft owned and registered under a member’s name.  A member, who has paid the applicable marina fees, may request a temporary launch pass for an out-of-town guest by contacting the beach/marina chairperson.
  14. The beach and marina will close at 10 pm on Monday – Thursday and 11 pm Friday – Sunday and holidays.  Access to the marina after hours to the boat ramp or for fishing is at the discretion of the beach/marina chairperson.  Once closed, persons using the facility will be trespassing and may be prosecuted.
  15. Parties shall not disturb neighbors or create a public nuisance.
  16.  Alcohol shall will not be served to, or consumed by minors.
  17. Owners are responsible for animals on the beach, which must be under control, on a leash and cleaned up after.
  18. Trash containers are placed at the beach and around the gazebo; members are required to clean up after themselves and guests.  If the trash containers are full, take your trash home for disposal.
  19. Persons who do not follow the rules may be asked to leave immediately by authorized representatives of the association.  Failure to do so constitutes trespassing.  Continued problems may result in forfeiture of association membership of the family/household without refund.
  20. William and Mary sailing team members may use the marina for practices, work parties, sailing lessons and regattas as authorized by the committee chair.  The sailing team coach shall provide a schedule of regattas and a roster of members.

 

 

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