Hey All!
I am planning a trip to the Bradenton area late this year, early next year. I'm looking for advice on places to anchor or stay overnight. I've searched and found the commercial marinas, so am looking for the hidden gems and favorite places, preferably from people who have been there done that. I think a good range between ~27*00N (Venice) and 28*30N (Bayport) would be do able.
Also, if you have suggestions on a secure place to leave the truck and trailer that is near a boat ramp in the area, that would be great too.
I'll be in my Mac 26D so I have draft between 18" and 36" and can handle pretty skinny water.
You mentioned that you wished to anchor out and perhaps slip at some of those commercial marinas you've looked at. But given you tagged the Bradenton area, let's start there. There is a ramp on the Bradenton River, although you might not be able w/mast up to get under the bridge-ways across the Manatee River leading to lower Tampa Bay and into the Gulf. There are two marinas, however, just downstream of the bridges where you might step your mast b/f continuing. The north-side one, Regatta Pointe, is a very nice one where we've spent many nights in our 11 yr of cruising SW Florida. Near the river mouth on the south side there is the De Soto Pt. anchorage; a scenic, quiet, and secure anchorage, but one that can get roughed up a bit in strong NW-NE winds. If that happens, you can cross to the north side of the river and anchor at Snead Island where you'll likely see other boats. It's not as nice as De Soto but more comfortable in those conditions. Go ashore easily by dink at De Soto National Memorial and visit the park or walk along the nice beach there. The Memorial features the landing of Hernando De Soto in 1539 and recounts his travails in Florida.
After that--north or south?--it depends on your time frame. If south, exit the Manatee River and enter the ICW over the "bulkhead" at Anne Maria Island to Mar Vista or Moore's at Longboat Key just south of Longboat Pass. Anchor and go ashore to visit one of the restaurants there, and walk across to the Gulf beaches. Next continue down the ICW into Sarasota Bay where you can (or once could) anchor the night comfortably at a "gem" called Otter Key which is behind Armand's Circle and on the way out Big Sarasota Pass. Off to the west at Otter Key there is a bridge beneath which you can land your dink (you'll see others there) and climb to the street and then walk the short distance into the Circle. Lot's of fun. For sailing next leg, exit Big Sarasota Pass and sail to Venice where you can reenter the ICW, otherwise you're committed to Boca Grande, or further, to enter Pine Island Sound and the Charlotte Harbor area. There's a free overnight stop at Venice called Higel Park where you might be able to tie up. Once inside Pine Island Sound, it's worth it to anchor at Useppa Island, but you might not be able to go ashore there. Dink across the ICW and visit the world famous Cabbage Key, etc.
If north, then you might visit the Terra Ceia Preserve State Park just north of the Manatee River. Very secluded in there; no facilities. Following that, cross over lower Tampa Bay and anchor at Egmont Key which is OK in mild conditions and westerly breezes, but is not too wonderful with much wind from north to east. Dink ashore and visit the old lighthouse at the park. Nice walks along that beach. You can cross the Egmont Channel and with your shallow draft go right over the shoals at the north side, up the Gulf to North Pass at Pass-a-Grille where you can enter the ICW and the protected waters around Tierra Verde and other spots. There is much to see and do back there. For example, make your way up to a nice anchorage behind the Don CeSar Hotel where you can dink ashore and visit the sights there. It's a bit of a pot hole, and gets very thin going in at low tide, especially spring tide. There's much more; I might give another "installment" later. Perhaps if you had some actual questions about places you might get more useful information.
KG
