Pelican Bay,Charlotte Harbor,FL

[seadaddler]

Had a great day yesterday(Sunday) sailing around Charlotte Harbor,sailed past
Pelican Pass,Pelican Bay and saw many sailboats plus power boats anchored inside.
I saw two sailboats entering the Pelican Pass late afternoon one was a 340 Hunter and a 370 Bennie,I think day both draw pretty close to 5 ' daft,I draft 4'10'' and the chart said MLW at 4' ,has body on this forum anchored in there
and whats up with the dept at the entrance.
Nick

 

[Benny]

Pelican Harbor

Nick, get a copy of "A Gunkholer's Cruising Guide to Florida's West Coast" by Tom Lenfestey. From local knowledge info, Pelican Bay is one of the West Coast most attractive anchorages. Once inside there will be a good 10' of water with plenty of room. Getting into is a little tricky. At flood tide you will find 7' about 70 yards of the shore of Cayo Costa. Leave ICW at #72. Swimming and fishing are both good but watch for the occasional shark." This guide has proved invaluable to cruising Florida's Gulf Coast.

 

[seadaddler]

"shark's"

Holy cow don't say that too loud some one might here you.
I don't want the admiral to here that she already is not crazy about going into the water when she sees fish.
I have all kinds of books with info on the west coast,they say it's a very tricky entrance and just thought it might be good to here from one local that has done it,I guess I should have tried to follow the two sailboats I saw yesterday.
I'll have to give it a go soon.
Nick

 

[S2 Henry]

New to SW Florida Sailing

Any selects as to good locations to anchor that would not be written in a cruise guide, home port is Ft Myers.

thanks S2 Henry