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Comments from Cruisers (8) Add Comment

1. Sonny Reeves -  June 28, 2014 - 10:12 pm

   On our cruise North to Jekyll Island from Marathon we used several anchorages and found some interesting free city docks. Tarpon Basin is a good stop over anchorage with a free dingy dock. Going North exit the creek and head for marker R48. Turn in to basin before R48A stay near north side of basin. Close to shore we found 5-7 ft. On in towards anchored boats we found 7-9 ft and stayed to the north of city docks.
   Sonny Reeves

   Reply to Sonny
2. Captain John -  March 9, 2012 - 10:17 am

   When entering Tarpon Basin from the north it is important to hug the channel along the red markers as the channel turrns sw and then west. There are no green markers and we wandered into very shallow water just se of the channel near red “46”as it turns. We wound up anchoring out on the north side of red 48A in 8 feet with good holding.

   Reply to Captain
3. Don and Mango -  November 24, 2011 - 11:52 pm

   There’s no pump out boat this season [2011].
   Don and Mango

   Reply to Don
4. Dan -  February 23, 2011 - 11:31 am

   This is a good spot…..just use a plow and get a good set before your sundowner.
   Dan

   Reply to Dan
5. Stein A. Holtbakk -  January 10, 2010 - 12:39 am

   A pump-out boat comes to Tarpon Basin once a week. They had some problems with the boat March 2009, but were supposed to go by every thursday. Try them on Ch 16.
   Stein A. Holtbakk

   Reply to Stein
6. David S. Power -  December 30, 2009 - 9:57 pm

   We used the northern anchorage last May for several days due to weather. Good protection and holding. Also used the docks at the government facility for our dinghy.
   No problems.

   Reply to David
7. Capt. Sterling -  December 28, 2009 - 9:42 am

   Subject: Tarpon Basin
   Cruising News: Seems the newly constructed Government center in Tarpon Basin, bayside Key Largo, is allowing cruisers to use the docks for their dinghys for shore access.
   THis is close to Publix and KLI hardware Store, and Kmart.
   Let’s hope they continue to allow this.
   Capt. Sterling

   Reply to Capt.
8. Laura Bender -  August 14, 2009 - 9:45 am

   Subject: Dinghy Dock Key Largo
   Cruising News: The new Government center on Tarpon Basin is open and some cruisers have been using the docks for
   shore access! Don’t know if it’s official yet, however, it is a place to go ashore bayside Key Largo in Tarpon Basin, walkable to the Hardware store (north) and Pulix Groceries (south) Will keep you informed of any changes I hear about this.
   Capt. Sterling

   Hi, Claiborne,
   We just negotiated our way into Tarpon Basin, uneventfully, thanks to your explicit directions in your guide. We’re anchored at almost the exact coordinates that you gave near the microwave tower. I’ve called 5 different city/county phone numbers trying to find where the dinghy dock is at the new government building and nobody has a clue. Google mapped the building and it’s inland on the highway and that’s a long way to drag a dink. We’re really eager to go ashore and hope you or Capt. Sterling can offer some help.
   Many thanks,
   Laura Bender

   Sure Claiborne,
   Just south of the Microwave tower you will see a canal, next to that a hotel. Just south of the hotel is the Government center basin. Its on active captain at Tarpon Basin at 25 07 279 North/80 25 108 West
   See you on the Waterways!
   Capt. Sterling
   MV Sterling Lady

   Hi, Claiborne
   I emailed Capt. Sterling, also, and he responded right away with an email and phone call. He told us about a mangrove tunnel nearby that is a dinghy or kayak trip. We’re looking forward to that—he said it’s magnificent. The dinghy dock’s right under our nose. Am attaching a picture because I thought it was a firefighter training tower. On one side is a dolphin rehab and the other, a hotel. It’s about a ½ mile walk south to a strip center with numerous retail-Publix, Radio Shack, Kmart, Payless Shoes, Bealls, Dollar General, Quizno’s, and even the public library.
   Thanks for all your help.
   Laura Bender

   Reply to Laura

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Comments from Cruisers (4) Add Comment

1. ron -  May 26, 2010 - 10:51 am

   The northern anchorage is a solid grass mat with limited holding. We motored through this anchorage and couldn’t find a sand spit to drop the hook and decided to move on to another anchorage. There were other boats there but I wouldn’t trust it in a blow.

   Reply to ron
2. Claiborne -  January 10, 2010 - 12:40 am

   A pump-out boat comes to Tarpon Basin once a week. They had some problems with the boat March 2009, but were supposed to go by every thursday. Try them on Ch 16.
   Stein A. Holtbakk

   Reply to Claiborne
3. Claiborne -  December 28, 2009 - 9:42 am

   Subject: Tarpon Basin
   Cruising News: Seems the newly constructed Government center in Tarpon Basin, bayside Key Largo, is allowing cruisers to use the docks for their dinghys for shore access.
   THis is close to Publix and KLI hardware Store, and Kmart.
   Let’s hope they continue to allow this.
   Capt. Sterling

   Reply to Claiborne
4. Claiborne -  August 14, 2009 - 9:46 am

   Subject: Dinghy Dock Key Largo
   Cruising News: The new Government center on Tarpon Basin is open and some cruisers have been using the docks for
   shore access! Don’t know if it’s official yet, however, it is a place to go ashore bayside Key Largo in Tarpon Basin, walkable to the Hardware store (north) and Pulix Groceries (south) Will keep you informed of any changes I hear about this.
   Capt. Sterling

   Hi, Claiborne,
   We just negotiated our way into Tarpon Basin, uneventfully, thanks to your explicit directions in your guide. We’re anchored at almost the exact coordinates that you gave near the microwave tower. I’ve called 5 different city/county phone numbers trying to find where the dinghy dock is at the new government building and nobody has a clue. Google mapped the building and it’s inland on the highway and that’s a long way to drag a dink. We’re really eager to go ashore and hope you or Capt. Sterling can offer some help.
   Many thanks,
   Laura Bender

   Sure Claiborne,
   Just south of the Microwave tower you will see a canal, next to that a hotel. Just south of the hotel is the Government center basin. Its on active captain at Tarpon Basin at 25 07 279 North/80 25 108 West
   See you on the Waterways!
   Capt. Sterling
   MV Sterling Lady

   Hi, Claiborne
   I emailed Capt. Sterling, also, and he responded right away with an email and phone call. He told us about a mangrove tunnel nearby that is a dinghy or kayak trip. We’re looking forward to that—he said it’s magnificent. The dinghy dock’s right under our nose. Am attaching a picture because I thought it was a firefighter training tower. On one side is a dolphin rehab and the other, a hotel. It’s about a ½ mile walk south to a strip center with numerous retail-Publix, Radio Shack, Kmart, Payless Shoes, Bealls, Dollar General, Quizno’s, and even the public library.
   Thanks for all your help.
   Laura Bender

   Reply to Claiborne

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Comments from Cruisers (6) Add Comment

1. James h. -  January 17, 2018 - 12:05 am

   Search for us on Facebook Tarpon basin Yacht Club made up of six board members we regulate the park do cleanups play games and help each other out great camaraderie and the second family I have found here come join us the tarpon Basin Yacht Club!

   Reply to James
2. Alan & Jean Lloyd - Ted -  January 16, 2012 - 10:53 am

   Try Tarpon Basin at ICW mile 1140 at red daymark 48A.
   Alan & Jean Lloyd

   There are many options and Alan’s is an excellent recommendation. There is a dinghy dock in the NE section of the [Tarpon Basin] cove. Picnic tables etc. next to the community building.
   Ted

   Reply to Alan
3. Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE) -  March 19, 2010 - 4:15 pm

   We anchored here March 10. It was easy to get in following the curve of “no wake” markers that lead to the anchorage. Nice quiet spot. Didn’t go ashore but would be interested directions to the “mangrove tunnel” dinghy side trip.

   Reply to Jean
4. Stein A. Holtbakk -  January 10, 2010 - 12:41 am

   A pump-out boat comes to Tarpon Basin once a week. They had some problems with the boat March 2009, but were supposed to go by every thursday. Try them on Ch 16.
   Stein A. Holtbakk

   Reply to Stein
5. Capt. Sterling -  December 28, 2009 - 9:42 am

   Subject: Tarpon Basin
   Cruising News: Seems the newly constructed Government center in Tarpon Basin, bayside Key Largo, is allowing cruisers to use the docks for their dinghys for shore access.
   THis is close to Publix and KLI hardware Store, and Kmart.
   Let’s hope they continue to allow this.
   Capt. Sterling

   Reply to Capt.
6. Laura Bender -  August 14, 2009 - 9:46 am

   Subject: Dinghy Dock Key Largo
   Cruising News: The new Government center on Tarpon Basin is open and some cruisers have been using the docks for
   shore access! Don’t know if it’s official yet, however, it is a place to go ashore bayside Key Largo in Tarpon Basin, walkable to the Hardware store (north) and Pulix Groceries (south) Will keep you informed of any changes I hear about this.
   Capt. Sterling

   Hi, Claiborne,
   We just negotiated our way into Tarpon Basin, uneventfully, thanks to your explicit directions in your guide. We’re anchored at almost the exact coordinates that you gave near the microwave tower. I’ve called 5 different city/county phone numbers trying to find where the dinghy dock is at the new government building and nobody has a clue. Google mapped the building and it’s inland on the highway and that’s a long way to drag a dink. We’re really eager to go ashore and hope you or Capt. Sterling can offer some help.
   Many thanks,
   Laura Bender

   Sure Claiborne,
   Just south of the Microwave tower you will see a canal, next to that a hotel. Just south of the hotel is the Government center basin. Its on active captain at Tarpon Basin at 25 07 279 North/80 25 108 West
   See you on the Waterways!
   Capt. Sterling
   MV Sterling Lady

   Hi, Claiborne
   I emailed Capt. Sterling, also, and he responded right away with an email and phone call. He told us about a mangrove tunnel nearby that is a dinghy or kayak trip. We’re looking forward to that—he said it’s magnificent. The dinghy dock’s right under our nose. Am attaching a picture because I thought it was a firefighter training tower. On one side is a dolphin rehab and the other, a hotel. It’s about a ½ mile walk south to a strip center with numerous retail-Publix, Radio Shack, Kmart, Payless Shoes, Bealls, Dollar General, Quizno’s, and even the public library.
   Thanks for all your help.
   Laura Bender

   Reply to Laura

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Comments from Cruisers (1) Add Comment

1. ron -  May 26, 2010 - 12:12 pm

   We hid here once from a strong northerly, but the bottom is all mud. Fortunately, if you drag anchor, you will drag into clean water and eventually sand. If I were caught in Sunset Cove in a pinch I would still use it. But, the cleanup is something else.

   Reply to ron

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Comments from Cruisers (1) Add Comment

1. ron -  May 26, 2010 - 12:14 pm

   Forget it! This is not an anchorage.

   Reply to ron

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Comments from Cruisers (7) Add Comment

1. Bill Nelson -  October 20, 2012 - 1:38 pm

   There is a new 6′ fence across the county access so you can’t come ashore unless you go to the hotel or Bayside.

   My last time there will be my last time ever. Seems that some drugged out vagrants live on a few derelict sailboats. One sang and yelled for hours and hours keeping us all up until 3 am. Wish I had my red rider in these situations.

   For now this place is cruiser unfriendly and vagrant friendly.

   Reply to Bill
2. John Kettlewell -  August 18, 2012 - 8:20 am

   Sunset Cove falls under the new anchoring regulations that are part of the Monroe County Pilot Program. The main one folks there will have to deal with is proof of pumpout. Save your receipts and keep a pumpout log.
   John Kettlewell

   Reply to John
3. Andree -  August 3, 2012 - 2:52 pm

   Hey if you;re still there! Buttonwood sound is at MM 99.
   I was anchored there for a few years. The dinghy dock was right off Bay side resort but now year 2012 there has been a fence put across the path, part of the “dock” was the resort’s property. You can still dinghy there , it is a small
   space though off the dead end street. Snooks burned down since than and was rebuilt it is now reopened. It is a nice quiet anchorage, first row seat to fabulous sunsets and Snooks’ nice live band music.
   Andree

   Reply to Andree
4. ron -  May 26, 2010 - 12:21 pm

   This has always been one of our favorite anchorages on the inside passage. In the middle to late 90’s it was often frequented by cruisers. In the last ten years, you hardly see a soul other than some local boats. Snooks has a nice palapa bar and a decent restaurant which is a nice respite if you’ve roughed it all the way from Miami. You have access to shopping, jerry can gasoline, and a drug store. Look for the patches of sand between the grass and drop your hookin 8-10 feet of water. You can get fairly close to shore if you want but the breeze is better further out. Good holding

   Reply to ron
5. Claiborne -  February 1, 2010 - 2:33 pm

   We usually use the dinghy dock at Snooks restaurant/bar, which is on Buttonwood Sound, between red 54 and green 55. The approximate coordinates of the anchorage are 25 5.7 N – 80 26.733 W. The dock is available to customers if you want to eat or have some drinks (latter recommended, former … not so much). Otherwise there’s a (sort of) boat ramp directly to the right of the dinghy dock where you can tie up to the mangroves and walk in. Nice central location.
   Adam
   “Sea Monkey”
   Miami, Florida

   Reply to Claiborne
6. Claiborne -  August 17, 2009 - 11:13 am

   Sunset Cove Weʼve anchored there often. It is rarely crowded. The sailing club no longer welcomes cruisers, but there are a few local restaurants with docks to tie up to. We just make sure to buy a beer at the bar to compensate and so far there has been no problem. Unfortunately, the Cuban market has closed, but Walgreens has some basic supplies.
   Bob and Toni Dorman

   Reply to Claiborne
7. Claiborne -  August 17, 2009 - 10:00 am

   Sunset Cove gets shallow near shore and if you don’t get close you get the wakes from the ICW
   Pascal

   Reply to Claiborne

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1. Russ -  April 6, 2013 - 3:47 pm

   We anchored here on 4/2/13. We were at least a 1/4 of a mile or more off Bottle Key. No one else around. We were open to a 10 kt East wind that kicked up around 3AM, but we held firm. Very quiet. Mosquito’s were a bit hungry though.

   Reply to Russ
2. ron -  May 26, 2010 - 12:35 pm

   Bottle Key is a beautiful wildlife anchorage. We anchored there on the way to Key West and without the faint lights of the mainland, you could be anywhere in the world. There were no other boats and we anchored in 6-8 feet of good sand and gravel. When you make your approach, stay clear of the shoal area to port when you’re coming from the intercoastal and work your way around to the other side of the key(Florida Bayside) and drop your hook. We caught a lot of small sharks and because it was blowy, the water was not clear. But, if you like seclusion and draw 5 ft or less, give it a try. Unfortunately, we didn’t visit Butternut since we were meeting friends in Key West, but it is equally as beautiful. I bet it is stunning during the windless days of Summer.

   Reply to ron

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