My boat is docked in Hudson and I would like to sail down to Tampa Bay for a cruise. I like to anchor out some nights. Does anyone have any anchorages to recommend.
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Debra B
Tampa Bay
Pt. Desoto just inside the Manatee river (south of Sunshine Skyway bridge). You can dinghy in to the park. Some restuarants farther up the river at various marinas. This river channel is marked well, stay in the channel as it is VERY shallow on either side - like 2 ft shallow or even less! If the wind is out of the north, you can anchor on the other side of the river, but you will have a bit more current to contend with. Eggmont Key is a good place to have lunch but it is too open to make a good over-night anchorage. Terra Ciea Bay - This channel is marked by DAY markers, and it is a twisty channel. If you draw much more than 5 ft, pass this by, but Bird Key is a nice place to anchor and get away from it all - it is a bird sanctuary and you cannot land. No places to stop and eat, this is a "get away from it all" anchorage. Boca Ciea Bay (via St. Johns Pass - just north of Tampa Bay) doesn't have much to recommend it as a cruising destination because getting ashore is next to impossible - though there are some marinas over there. There is a little village of shops, eating establishments and drinking. Someone else will have to guide you in that area. Transients can stay at the Clearwater Marina, I think, but I am not sure what the rates are. Much to do in the Clearwater beach area - this is currently a hot stop in the Spring Break ritual... Long Boat Key (just south of Tampa Bay) either down the ICW or via Long Boat Pass. More restaurants. Holding is not great. St. Pete - either anchor in the Vinoy (north) basin, or stop by the transient dock at the St. Pete Marina (central basin). Anchoring is free, but getting ashore is a bit of a struggle as there is no dinghy dock. Look for a small beach in the SE corner of the anchorage. Holding is not so good as this is soft mud, choose you ground tackle accordingly. $1.36 per day including tax at the transient dock. Weekly is cheaper. Showers, laundry, decent ships store, etc. Call them on 16 before you arrive as it is first-come, first-serve. http://www.stpete.org/marina.htm St. Pete has a couple of good museums - Salvador Dali museum is really good, and Sunken Gardens is worth a look. Avoid the International and Historical museums IMHO. Lots of food. Some night-life. Decent shopping is a cab ride - or a bus ride - away, but they are building a Publix supermarket (not sure what is the date for openning). St. Pete restuarants - Moon Under Water, Midtown Sundries, Dish, Dan Marino's, The Garden - are within easy walking distance. As are movies, some bars with live music, etc. Check the charts - there is some VERY shallow water in Tampa Bay. There are also exclusion zones as a result of 9/11. Sunshine Skyway, and near the Coast Guard, and military installations, and power stations. Cruising Guide to Western Florida is a decent volume, but it can't keep up with the changes in the business establishments.
Pt. Desoto just inside the Manatee river (south of Sunshine Skyway bridge). You can dinghy in to the park. Some restuarants farther up the river at various marinas. This river channel is marked well, stay in the channel as it is VERY shallow on either side - like 2 ft shallow or even less! If the wind is out of the north, you can anchor on the other side of the river, but you will have a bit more current to contend with. Eggmont Key is a good place to have lunch but it is too open to make a good over-night anchorage. Terra Ciea Bay - This channel is marked by DAY markers, and it is a twisty channel. If you draw much more than 5 ft, pass this by, but Bird Key is a nice place to anchor and get away from it all - it is a bird sanctuary and you cannot land. No places to stop and eat, this is a "get away from it all" anchorage. Boca Ciea Bay (via St. Johns Pass - just north of Tampa Bay) doesn't have much to recommend it as a cruising destination because getting ashore is next to impossible - though there are some marinas over there. There is a little village of shops, eating establishments and drinking. Someone else will have to guide you in that area. Transients can stay at the Clearwater Marina, I think, but I am not sure what the rates are. Much to do in the Clearwater beach area - this is currently a hot stop in the Spring Break ritual... Long Boat Key (just south of Tampa Bay) either down the ICW or via Long Boat Pass. More restaurants. Holding is not great. St. Pete - either anchor in the Vinoy (north) basin, or stop by the transient dock at the St. Pete Marina (central basin). Anchoring is free, but getting ashore is a bit of a struggle as there is no dinghy dock. Look for a small beach in the SE corner of the anchorage. Holding is not so good as this is soft mud, choose you ground tackle accordingly. $1.36 per day including tax at the transient dock. Weekly is cheaper. Showers, laundry, decent ships store, etc. Call them on 16 before you arrive as it is first-come, first-serve. http://www.stpete.org/marina.htm St. Pete has a couple of good museums - Salvador Dali museum is really good, and Sunken Gardens is worth a look. Avoid the International and Historical museums IMHO. Lots of food. Some night-life. Decent shopping is a cab ride - or a bus ride - away, but they are building a Publix supermarket (not sure what is the date for openning). St. Pete restuarants - Moon Under Water, Midtown Sundries, Dish, Dan Marino's, The Garden - are within easy walking distance. As are movies, some bars with live music, etc. Check the charts - there is some VERY shallow water in Tampa Bay. There are also exclusion zones as a result of 9/11. Sunshine Skyway, and near the Coast Guard, and military installations, and power stations. Cruising Guide to Western Florida is a decent volume, but it can't keep up with the changes in the business establishments.
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Frank
Debra B of St Petersburg---Thanks
Thanks guy/gal for the question and the answer! Great stuff for those considering West Coast of Florida. Your data has caused us to pause for further consideration after giving up on the Gulf. Tnx, Capt' and Matey
Thanks guy/gal for the question and the answer! Great stuff for those considering West Coast of Florida. Your data has caused us to pause for further consideration after giving up on the Gulf. Tnx, Capt' and Matey
Florida Sea Grant Anchorage Inventory
Florida Sea Grant has detailed information on anchorages along the southwest Gulf Coast. A link to the ir website is below. I've been in a couple of these places and the information is pretty decent. Another nice spot is Caladesi Island, on the ICW just north of Clearwater. Happy cruising. Peter H23 "Raven"
Florida Sea Grant has detailed information on anchorages along the southwest Gulf Coast. A link to the ir website is below. I've been in a couple of these places and the information is pretty decent. Another nice spot is Caladesi Island, on the ICW just north of Clearwater. Happy cruising. Peter H23 "Raven"
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J Cianflone
Nice Spot
The north end of the Mandalay Channel at Clearwater Beach is a nice place to drop the hook. There is plenty of deep water and it is protected. Moonshine Island has close to eight feet of water 40 feet from the island so you can get away from the traffic. There is a fuel dock, ice, ships store down on the south east end of the channel. On the southwest side is a bar and restaurant with floating docks. Ross Marine is also around the corner.
The north end of the Mandalay Channel at Clearwater Beach is a nice place to drop the hook. There is plenty of deep water and it is protected. Moonshine Island has close to eight feet of water 40 feet from the island so you can get away from the traffic. There is a fuel dock, ice, ships store down on the south east end of the channel. On the southwest side is a bar and restaurant with floating docks. Ross Marine is also around the corner.
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Joe
bimini bay on Anna Maria Key
near Bradenton. I was just there last week, weather is starting to cool off. There is a small marina, and store. Rotten Ralph's is a good place to eat and drink. Cross to far side after entering bay and then go left to anchorage .
near Bradenton. I was just there last week, weather is starting to cool off. There is a small marina, and store. Rotten Ralph's is a good place to eat and drink. Cross to far side after entering bay and then go left to anchorage .
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