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1. ron -  May 26, 2010 - 10:06 am

   The Virginia Key anchorage is the perfect staging point for a Gulf Stream crossing. Good holding in sand and gravel, protection from the banks to the South and an easy exit out the channel to the Gulf Stream. The channel markers are well lit and easy to follow for a night departure. If you get bad weather, there is an excellent anchorage just to the North- the Marine Stadium. We have sat through 50 knot blows and held steady. The only downside is that the bottom is mud and your anchor retrieval will be quite messy. Still woth the effort.

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1. pamela -  February 15, 2013 - 2:16 pm

   We enjoyed almost all of the experience of staying in the mooring field except the exposure and distance out which made for wet and rough dingy rides. We loved the staff and the new rental bikes. Also they have a great laundry, although it is small. The showers are minimal and just ok. We would probably not stay again when the cold fronts are going through but would when the weather is calm.

   Reply to pamela
2. Kat -  January 30, 2012 - 10:28 am

   We spent a good 4 days in the Dinner key mooring field in early January when a cold front passed with strong N NW winds and really enjoyed our stay . True the dinghy dock was abit crowded but we always found room and the ferry was available till 5 pm also . The ferry had fenders all around it so I cannot imagine how it could cause any damage to anyone. The shower and restroom facilities were spotless at the time we used them and I liked the fact that they were all in one unit for complete privacy . We were lucky to have a mooring which was not too far from the dock so managed to stay drywhen going ashore in our tender . The Fresh Market had everything we needed and we enjoyed going to the movies and dining out in the Coconut grove restaurants . All in all a good stay . The staff were also very friendly and helpful giving information about the locality . If the winds had been from the E SE then it might have been a different story and we would have chosen somewhere else for better protection.
   Kat

   Reply to Kat
3. Capt. Mike -  January 24, 2012 - 10:57 am

   After reading the reviews I was skeptical of this marina. However the mooring field is a different division of the marina and you can tell it in the pride and we care attitude of James and his helper (sorry I did not get his name). After talking with James on a Sunday afternoon on our way down he gave us preliminary instructions and assigned us a mooring ball. Upon entry one call on the radio and James gave us final instructions and then made a stop to check if everything was okay. The next morning without a call his helper stopped by with the pumpout boat to see if we needed a pumpout and we did. After that we checked in. James gave us info about the marina, showers, places to eat and where to get supplies. These two guys made for a great experience. I’m sure they would always go out of their way to accomodate the customer.
   S/V indecision
   Capt. Mike

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4. Captain Wil -  December 15, 2010 - 3:06 pm

   I would like to give you my thoughts on Dinner Key Mooring Field. First, this is not Marathon and will never be. This field will develop its own cruiser community and style over the years to come. The moorings are secure and well maintained. The field itself is open to the ESE to the S and in a strong wind can be a bit choppy. The mooring field is big and if you’re at the outer edge it will be a long ride to the marina. I believe this to be a secure and safe mooring field. They have a shuttle boat service that runs on the hour till five pm and 7pm on weekends. This is a nice for that long ride, the down side to the service is that if it is windy and choppy they may suspend the service, leaving you to use your own dinghy. The dinghy dock in the marina, at this time is inadequate and would never accommodate a large transit group of boaters. The second dinghy dock, which is inadequate in size as well and is shared with the local anchorage, is not secure and open to the public at this time. Hopefully they will address these two issues to better improve there facilities.
   For those of you who like shopping this is a great place to shop locally or take the Miami Transit system to downtown Miami or Miami Beach. There is also good bus/train service to the airport and even to Ft Lauderdale as well. There are food stores within walking distance and serviced by buses as well. They have showers and laundry on site, but the new trailer with showers and laundry at this time is not open. I have found the working staff to be very friendly and helpful. I think that anyone who stays here will find it to be a good place to be. The rates are similar to Marathon and there is wifi in the field, but is not provided by the marina. There are wifi cafés in Coconut Grove, a 5 minute walk from the marina, and as boaters we all could use a little walk. I hope that anyone who does stop here will find it to be a pleasurable experience.
   Captain Wil

   Reply to Captain
5. Kathy -  December 15, 2010 - 3:06 pm

   Hey folks
   Just want to say that the folks at Dinner Key seem to really try to make your experience a good one. We had a wonderful experience with them. When we couldn’t return as planned due to a medical emergency, the guys checked our lines and even went aboard found my husband’s passport and sent it to him so he could travel for some work out of the country.
   Yep, the moorings are exposed and the shuttle may ding your boat on occasion, but I think they’re really trying and doing a great job. Thanks James and Daniel and all the crew!
   Kathy
   on S/V SEEKER

   Reply to Kathy
6. Jules Robinson -  December 15, 2010 - 3:05 pm

   Perhaps if Captain Sherman would have spent a few days on a Rickenbacker Marina Mooring he would have appreciated the Dinner Key moorings a bit more.
   I had my boat at Rickenbacker marina for about two years where the dingy dock was a mud bank under mangroves trees. So either you got your dingy full of mud and dirt when you got in it or the tree leaves would fall into the dingy and foul it all up in no time.
   And not only are the moorings there exposed to all but east winds, they right next to a power boat and jet ski freeway. weekdays were bearable if the winds were calm but weekends were like being in a washing machine. And the bathrooms were in terribly shoddy condition. I would take dinner key bathrooms any day after that.
   I only wish that the dinner key mooring field existed at that time, I would have taken on in a heartbeat.
   It seems to me that Captain Sherman has some axe to grind as any sailor with experience can tell from which direction he is going to be exposed prior to taking up an anchorage, and as if the city had any control of how mother nature created the bay and how much wind and from where it was going to blow when he pulled into town.
   As the other post said, we have to take cruising with a grain of salt. and sometimes a geat big one…… but that is what makes it an adventure and what makes it worth doing at all.
   P.S. I forgot the mention, I have very fond memories of my days at Rickenbacker Marina.
   Jules Robinson

   Reply to Jules
7. Charlie Stewart -  December 15, 2010 - 3:05 pm

   I had a wonderful experience at the new Dinner Key Mooring Field. When I dinked in to get some water I brought my own 2ft hose (because I like to be prepared) and had no problem.
   As far as the dinghy dock goes, yes it’s a first come first serve deal but that’s the wat it is everywhere. Maybe Mr. Sherman didn’t realize that Miami, like all major metropolitan cities, have certain amounts of danger. I felt safe in the managed moring field. I wouldn’t have felt safe if I just dropped the hook.
   I thought the staff and management were professional and the facility up to par. I will stay at the Dinner Key Mooring Field again!
   Charlie Stewart

   Reply to Charlie
8. Peter Shemp -  December 15, 2010 - 3:05 pm

   Clearly many folks have many opinions, but I was shocked by Mr. Sherman’s review of the Dinner Key Mooring Field. I just spent a night there and I agree it is an exposed area. But almost 10 years ago I lived in the anchorage where the moorings are now, and let me tell you it felt good to be on a ball.
   I can’t help to feel a bit sorry for Mr. Sherman who obviously had a bad stay. Perhaps his experience should serve as a wakeup call to himself and others; that life at sea is subject to many things (we don’t always get what we want). Perhaps those who find they have experiences like this where they don’t get what they want when they want it should look into life in an R/V or retirement village, because if you are getting everything you want when you want it on a boat your probably some middle eastern sheik with deep pockets or worse on a cruise ship.
   So I am clear, the weather was rough the dingy ride was wet, the dingy dock was small, the supermarket was to much money not enough selection, the supermarket was too far yadadayada.. , Were you really expecting the Ritz? Because if you were, just across the street from Dinner Key is the Ritz, but I wonder if you would just find it failing your expectations. Maybe the city of Miami should have planned the city around the mooring field?
   I had an excellent time at Dinner Key, and hope one day to return soon.
   Sincerely,
   Peter Shemp

   Reply to Peter
9. Larry Sherman -  December 15, 2010 - 3:05 pm

   Opinions appear to vary widely on the Dinner Key Marina. We stayed three nights on a mooring in the new mooring field. We will NEVER do that again and suggest others pass this mooring field by!!! In moderate winds from the east or south (10 knots) it was a wet and close to dangerous dinghy ride to the totally inadequate dinghy dock!! There is a shuttle boat that they want you to use but two friends who are in the mooring field warned us that their boats had been hit and damaged by the shuttle boat so there was no way we were going to expose Enchantress to that!!!
   We were assigned a mooring ball by the shuttle boat and then they wanted to change it when we went in to check in. They sent us to a slip on a fixed dock in our dinghy to fill some Jerry jugs with water but didn’t tell us to bring a hose, so no water! The dinghy dock which doesn’t have anyway near enough space anyway had a sign saying half of it was closed as apparently the are going to tow it out of the semi-secure marina and put it at the public boat ramp in the adjacent park where there is no security at all!!
   The shower/restroom facilities are tolerable (barely), although the big roach did have me checking my shower bag carefully before taking it back to the boat! They close the restrooms for an hour during peak morning and afternoon times for cleaning although what is done during that time was not readily apparent.
   This is a marina that may understand the needs of boaters who stay in slips but they have no concept of what cruising boats or boats that use moorings or who anchor need. We need easy access to water to fill Jerry jugs in the dinghy and adequate dinghy access.
   Although we anchor almost exclusively when on the move, we like mooring fields (we spend our winters on a mooring in Boot Key Harbor) but not this one. It is poorly managed and not worth paying for. Protection is horrible, may as well anchor in the middle of Biscayne Bay or out in the Atlantic! Provisioning is not convenient, Publix Supermarket requires a bus and trai ride. The only grocery store is a gormet Fresh Foods with poor selection and high prices.
   We have anchored or moored in more than 100 harbors and would return to most but NOT this one!! Did I mention the murder that occured in the anchorage adjacent yo the moorings just before we arrived?
   Larry Sherman

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1. Claiborne -  May 19, 2010 - 3:55 pm

   An alternative to the Dinner Key mooring field is the Coconut Grove Sailing Club mooring field. CCSC is just to the south of Dinner Key, and its moorings are completely sheltered by mangrove islands. While CCSC is a private club, they do have several moorings for transient, non-member cruisers. They have shower/restroom facilities and a water taxi that runs 24 hours a day. We spent 5 very windy days there ( winds up to 35 knots) in comfort and felt very welcomed by the staff and members.
   Julie and John Stocksdale
   s/v Jolie

   Reply to Claiborne
2. Doug -  February 4, 2010 - 5:34 pm

   When I checked out yesterday, the Sailing Club only charged me $20, as you stated originally. They made an error in quoting me the higher price.
   Doug

   Reply to Doug
3. Doug -  February 1, 2010 - 4:55 pm

   We are currently moored at CGSC and recommend it. The rate you have on the site is out of date – currently $35. That includes full access to the club and 24-hour launch service. Fresh Market a few blocks away plus tons of great eateries. The movie theater at Coco Walk is currently closed, but is scheduled to reopen in April.

   One gripe – birds are a real problem here between November and March. The rain today will wash our boat a bit, but the gulls and “black” birds are a real issue. The club says we can tie up at the dock before we leave and wash down. There is room for about four boats at the dock with 4.5 feet at the inner spaces. I have seen members tie up overnight, but no guests are allowed to stay there for long.

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1. Claiborne -  April 30, 2010 - 8:59 am

   No Name [Harbor Anchorage] can fill up or cause swing anxiety for the newbie. As mentioned, the anchorage at “Nixon Cove” (nickname, not on the chart) off of the Yacht Club, northwest of Hurricane Harbor on your chart, is good, and popular, or we have anchored several times just outside and slightly south of No Name, just stay to one side of the rather broadly defined channel. The sport fisher will wake you now and then if too close. Then you can take the dinghy into No Name and have a meal at the excellent Cuban/Carribean restaurant that over looks the harbor and take a nice walk in the park.
   Lots of nice spots to anchor from there on south to Marathon, take your time! How big is your boat and how much do you draw?
   George

   Reply to Claiborne
2. LuAnne Woods -  July 19, 2009 - 9:28 pm

   Very busy on the weekends. Over 200 boats there partying. But, it quickly thins out to cruisers at dusk. Good holding in 30 mph easterly winds. Lots of room for our 47 foot sail boat.

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1. Cruise to Stiltsville | Under the Boom -  August 14, 2016 - 7:20 pm

   […] Jim and Rosemary were not there because they sailed their 34 foot sailboat Alberta Rose down to No Name Harbor earlier in the […]

   Reply to Cruise
2. Mo -  February 5, 2015 - 11:18 am

   No water. Dinner lousy to be truthful. Smoking permitted. $4.75 for a domestic beer. Menu high priced we thought. Oh well. It’s so crowded here we must leave – good stop to provision at the most expensive Winn Dixie I’ve ever been in. Had everything we needed though and only 3/4 of a mile away. Pizza at same strip mall below grocery store is outstanding. That’s my report sir!
   Best,
   Mo
   Maura Mulcahy s/v Mi Amante
   Sebago Sailing, Inc.

   Reply to Mo
3. Mo -  February 1, 2015 - 2:18 pm

   Is there free water at No Name? I forget. Thanks!!

   Reply to Mo
4. Russ -  April 6, 2013 - 3:34 pm

   We anchored here on 4/3/13. There were about 13 sailboats in the harbor. It seemed a little crowded although we didn’t have any problems. It was very quiet but weekends might be a different story.

   Reply to Russ
5. Ed & Bonnie -  January 23, 2012 - 10:35 am

   Awesome anchorage! We could not use the local mooring fields because of our 51 ft length & weight so No name was our only choice to avoid strong winds from ALL DIRECTIONS.Yes the bottom is soft mud however properly set hooks will hold at least to 30 mph no problem. In regards to the weekend party this is Miami’s back yard and should be expected near any large boating community. The actual fee is $20.00 per night to anchor and $8.00 to tie up to the wall until 11 P/M. Our personal comment is No Name Harbor is if not the best anchorage we have been in it comes close.
   Our Lord’s Blessing to All
   Ed & Bonnie S/V Almost Heaven

   Reply to Ed
6. Susan Dawson -  December 10, 2011 - 7:13 pm

   We stayed in No Name this past year for several days waiting out weather and enjoyed this stop…never saw any problems with holding in strong winds either. But did have issue with seawall being taken up which made it impossible to go and get pump out…don’t know why they have it if that area is not free from the local loud boaters. We had one incident where 5 local boaters were told to get off the wall well after dark, (rules are off at dark) and they proceeded to come off about 10 feet and do a 5 boat raft late evening playing loud music and forcing a sail boat who had been anchored for two days to have to pick up anchor and move to avoid being hit…no authourity did a thing about it nor did anyone pay to stay the night..so I guess the locals control the area. We learned one thing, never go there on a weekend. During the week it was less problematic and a beautiful place to be. Loved walking aroung the park and going to the beach. Also enjoyed a very old large manatee that stays in that harbor.
   Susan Dawson aboard S/V Colleen Mae

   Reply to Susan
7. Della Ebersole -  May 24, 2011 - 8:09 am

   May 20, 2011
   $20 fee for anchoring overnight. No mooring balls as of yet. Still on the honor system, we saw 12 boats come in and not pay. No one checked to see if all had paid. Still nice, the grill is expensive. More than $6 for a beer.

   Reply to Della
8. Cheryl Martin -  August 6, 2010 - 3:53 pm

   As of July 29, 2010 there is a fee to anchor in No Name Harbor. Two dollars for a day use and $20.00 per night. This is on the honor system.
   Captain Cheryl Martin aboard Fair Winds

   Reply to Cheryl
9. Cap. Jules -  June 3, 2010 - 11:21 am

   I just called the park and no moorings have been installed. It’s a very nice park to visit with an award winning beach, two great restaurants, bike, kayak and catamaran rentals, hiking trails and a restored historic light house open to the public with amazing views from the top. For the overnight boaters, showers, laundry and free pumpout so it’s well worth the very nominal anchoring fee.
   Yes of course in summer it will be hot and buggy in a small landside anchorage and like all anchorages there is a capacity limit, this one being very very small fills up fast. I have stayed in fall and winter and found it to be very enjoyable and all chain rode keeps the meandering to a minimum and I never have had problems with neighbors swinging to close. Also a good deal of the boats that anchor during the day are locals don’t spend the night. Outside of summer if there is space I will go in. When it is full I anchor in the channel and dingy in to take advantage of all the park has to offer. There is little or no traffic in the channel at night so you can still get a good night sleep there, just be sure your anchor is well set as a strong current runs but I have never dragged.
   I know that anchoring in a channel seems like the wrong thing to do but the channel is wide and it is common for boats heading to the Bahamas to anchor in the channel to one side when the harbor is full.
   Cap. Jules

   Reply to Cap.
10. Ron -  June 1, 2010 - 8:18 pm

    Claiborne,
    The Hurricane Hole you mention can be one of two places both of which are located in the Cape Florida channel. The one most frequently used is No Name Harbor further to the East. In the past you could anchor there, but recently I have heard they have installed moorings. In any case, it is a small, hot, muggy, airless harbor that most would not want to spend too long. The boats meander with the changing currents and the only positive is that there was an excellent Cuban restaurant at the harbor wall. Many first time cruisers who feel insecure about anchoring in a semi-open anchorage find this harbor appealing. When you want to depart, especially at night, you have to weave through the tightly packed boats to enter the Cape Florida Channel.
    Ron

    Reply to Ron
11. George & Martin -  April 30, 2010 - 9:01 am

    No Name [Harbor Anchorage] can fill up or cause swing anxiety for the newbie. As mentioned, the anchorage at “Nixon Cove” (nickname, not on the chart) off of the Yacht Club, northwest of Hurricane Harbor on your chart, is good, and popular, or we have anchored several times just outside and slightly south of No Name, just stay to one side of the rather broadly defined channel. The sport fisher will wake you now and then if too close. Then you can take the dinghy into No Name and have a meal at the excellent Cuban/Carribean restaurant that over looks the harbor and take a nice walk in the park.
    Lots of nice spots to anchor from there on south to Marathon, take your time! How big is your boat and how much do you draw?
    George

    I think you would find Hurricane Harbor preferable to No Name Harbor on the southern tip of Key Biscayne.
    It is much larger, uncrowded, has better holding ground, and you can use a longer scope and swing at anchor without ending up near another vessel. It is also a whole lot quieter. Also, there are no fees for anchoring in Hurricane Harbor as opposed to No Name.
    Just be careful to watch the water depth and avoid the shoal that extends out to the north and west as you make your approach to the harbor. When actually entering the harbor, stay close to the north wall where the channel is deepest.
    Martin I. Veiner

    Reply to George
12. John Wilson -  February 8, 2010 - 1:01 pm

    No Name Harbor now charges $20 for overnight anchorage and $2 for day anchorage.

    Reply to John
13. Adam -  August 22, 2009 - 7:37 pm

    No Name Bay [Harbor] is another option for Key Biscayne — also pretty crowded on weekends. I prefer to pass up Key Biscayne and anchor off of Elliot Key. Wear plenty of repellent if you go ashore as the mosquitos are KILLER.
    Adam

    Reply to Adam
14. Bobbi and Warren -  August 11, 2009 - 9:25 am

    Subject: TOW AWAY ZONE IN NO NAME HARBOR
    Cruising News: No Name Harbor at Biggs State Park in Key Biscayne is now enforcing the “no overnight mooring” policy that has been in effect but largely ignored. There are now “Tow Away Zone” signs and any illegally moored vessel (i.e. those staying overnight at the wall or those not paying the fee) will be towed by SeaTow “at the owners expense”. Rangers may ask to see your receipt from the envelope used to pay fees. A ranger will also make patrols at No Name after dusk to ensure boats have vacated. To recap the rules: you can tie your boat up at the seawall during the day for $2 or anchor overnight for $15/night. You cannot stay overnight at the wall. The pump out is free.
    Bobbi and Warren
    s/v Grand Eagle

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1. ron -  May 26, 2010 - 10:10 am

   You have to be kidding. Strong tidal current, thin sand over coral, this is no overnight anchorage. Maybe drop the hook for some snokeling, but you better have someone on board. We have never seen a boat anchored here.

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1. ron -  May 26, 2010 - 10:14 am

   This is another question mark anchorage. Sand over coral, strong tidal current and strictly a day anchorage with someone always on board. However, this is one of the most beautiful areas in the Keys for water quality, tranquility and beauty. It’s just not an anchorage.

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1. Claiborne -  August 17, 2009 - 10:03 am

   You can anchor in 7 or 8′ of water on the north side of Sand Key, north of the sandbar off the cut. There is a little canal in the bend going to a pond, worth a trip with the dink.
   The best anchorage in the area is still Eliott Key, though, I rarely anchor off sandkey. The water is clear, you can dinghy to the beach near the north.
   There is a small marina halfway down, by the rangers building, small boats though (under 30). no services, but a boardwalk/trail crossing to the ocean side.
   Pascal

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1. Michael Carson -  February 21, 2016 - 6:49 pm

   Much too shallow. Channel is 3 ft at low tide. Impossible to navigate.

   Reply to Michael
2. ron -  May 26, 2010 - 10:18 am

   This is no anchorage. Strictly a staging point for sport fishing boats to wait for the tide to exit Caesar Creek.

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1. Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE) -  March 19, 2010 - 4:25 pm

   Contrary to the comment above, we have anchored here several times, the latest being 3-6-10. Mosquitoes have never been a problem if there is even a modest breeze. It is a beautiful remote-feeling spot and well-protected. Getting in to the dock at Adams key can be a trick as the current is swift but that is an option if one wants to walk around. Many boats go through Caesar Creek but their wakes don’t reach the anchorage between Reid and Rubicon Keys.

   Reply to Jean
2. jim -  December 12, 2009 - 3:17 pm

   Stay here only if the wind is howling otherwise the mosquitoes will run you off. If you have the best screens, the buzzing will keep you awake all night. If its calm, anchor in the Atlantic east of Elliott or keep motoring south to Florida Bay

   Reply to jim

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1. Rick Steinberg -  January 1, 2019 - 6:23 am

   Be careful as there are strong currents in this area. Good holding in sand but strong current. Great jumping off point for Bimini, just stay in the channel with up to a five foot draft when exiting the Atlantic side of the creek. An alternative anchorage which I have used is next to Pumkin Key.

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1. IAIN -  December 28, 2015 - 8:18 pm

   DEC 24 2015 – Moored NW of Pumpkin to shelter from 17kts wind from SE. Initially well sheltered, but Wind swung during night to be direct from East and we dragged badly, about 400 yards before I realised at 3 am, even though we were only 150 yards from the island & I would have thought we would be better protected. Good in that I was blown into deeper water but from looking at the anchor flukes the bottom is sand/mud which does not hold well. The wind protection from Snapper is not great, there is enough open water for the wind to get up speed. However lovely location, with dolphins feeding at dusk & super quiet at night tho dawn brings some traffic from Angelfish Key

   Reply to IAIN
2. Claiborne -  May 28, 2010 - 3:23 pm

   Pumpkin Key is one of the best anchorages for an exit from Bayside to the Gulfstream. Even at low tide if you draw 5ft or less you’ll have no problem. Deeper draft boats will have to wait for high tide. The anchorage is not where it is shown on the chart, but to the SW of R12 between Pumpkin Key and the marker in 8-12 feet of water. Good holding and protection and even if it blows from the West, you’ll be OK. However, if you’re expecting bad weather, you can go NW of the anchorage across the bay to the Arsenicker Keys and anchor in 8 feet of good holding sand with beautiful clear water and excellent protection from the West. The oddity is that the water at Pumpkin is opaque green while the Arsenickers is Bahamas like.
   Ron

   Reply to Claiborne
3. Larry Morrow -  March 19, 2010 - 6:32 pm

   Just spent 2 nights here and the holding was excellent, scenery great, except for all the Do Not Trespass signs on the island, and very quiet. We stayed about 300 yards off the shore of the island. Great place to drop the hook. Last year we stayed on the opposite side and also had a great experience. Left this morning by going out of Angelfish Creek to Hawk Channel and never saw less than 7.7 feet, 3 hours before high tide.

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1. Claiborne -  May 28, 2010 - 3:23 pm

   Pumpkin Key is one of the best anchorages for an exit from Bayside to the Gulfstream. Even at low tide if you draw 5ft or less you’ll have no problem. Deeper draft boats will have to wait for high tide. The anchorage is not where it is shown on the chart, but to the SW of R12 between Pumpkin Key and the marker in 8-12 feet of water. Good holding and protection and even if it blows from the West, you’ll be OK. However, if you’re expecting bad weather, you can go NW of the anchorage across the bay to the Arsenicker Keys and anchor in 8 feet of good holding sand with beautiful clear water and excellent protection from the West. The oddity is that the water at Pumpkin is opaque green while the Arsenickers is Bahamas like.
   Ron

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1. Claiborne -  May 28, 2010 - 3:23 pm

   Pumpkin Key is one of the best anchorages for an exit from Bayside to the Gulfstream. Even at low tide if you draw 5ft or less you’ll have no problem. Deeper draft boats will have to wait for high tide. The anchorage is not where it is shown on the chart, but to the SW of R12 between Pumpkin Key and the marker in 8-12 feet of water. Good holding and protection and even if it blows from the West, you’ll be OK. However, if you’re expecting bad weather, you can go NW of the anchorage across the bay to the Arsenicker Keys and anchor in 8 feet of good holding sand with beautiful clear water and excellent protection from the West. The oddity is that the water at Pumpkin is opaque green while the Arsenickers is Bahamas like.
   Ron

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