PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR DISCLAIMER!
Please Note That Postings Below From Fellow Cruisers Are Listed in Chronological Order, Based on Publication Date
Captain Sara contacted me and asked if the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net would be interested in publishing a list of on-the-water, cruising craft accessible restaurants in SW Florida. I may have gotten a bad case of whip-lash from saying “YES!!!!” soooo quickly.
Anyway, check out Sara’s message below, and PLEASE send her info directly if you can.
Once their June cruise is complete, we will publish Sara’s dining directory here so it can be a lasting tool for the cruising community!!!
In advance of my bareboat charter out of St. Pete down to the Keys in June, I’m compiling a list of restaurants that offer tie-ups to boaters. I will be collecting lat/long, depth, dockage description, dining experience and any other relevant data for each restaurant. This information will then be made freely available to the boating community. If you have info to share that would make the resource more useful to all, please contact me via email at:
saraburns2000 AT yahoo DOT com
If all goes well, I believe I might have found another interesting and productive hobby! Thanks! 
Sara Burns
Facilitator, The Work of Byron Katie
Transforming Education in America
Saw the signs for “Dock and Dine” at the Marker 4 marina. Tried to contact on vhf with no answer. Called the restaurant and they said “sure, come on in, just pick a slip”. Up to this point, everything is great. Great restaurant, grocery store near by, and good food and vibes at the restaurant. However, at sunset, here comes the so called dock master, who wants two dollars a foot for dockage, forget the “dock and dine” sign. Forget that you have no power or water or that you just go suckered into a “dock and dine” situation. I have just about crossed Venice off my list of stop over sites. it seems like just when you think everything is going OK, someone intervenes and give the town a bad reputation for cruisers.
I paid the dock master $1.50 a foot just to keep peace for a slip. I’m sure the cash never made it out of his pocket into the confers of the marina owners.
Bob & Pat Hutchison
S/V Maverick
Doesn’t dock and dine mean just what it said? You had free dockage while you dined. How do you expect to get a free night of dockage after that? You eat, you go back to your boat and you leave to drop your anchor back in a proper anchorage, not think dock and dine entities you to stay all night for free and then accuse the dock master of pocketing what was actually less than the required fee.
You can actually still drive a boat after eating and at night.
Jesse
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fishermens Wharf Marina Park
Higel Park is a city maintained park with a wooden dock and anchorage for stays up to 18 hours. And, as Capt. Sullivan points out, Fishermens Wharf-Marker 4 Marina lines the northeastern shores of the Western Florida ICW, just northwest of the Hatchett Creek Bridge, and southeast of marker #4.
Tried to anchor at Higel Park anchorage March 19, 2012, but found it too shallow even for our 3′ draft. Unable to find an anchorage, we docked at Marker 4 Marina which we can recommend. Well protected, good facilities, friendly people, and lower dockage rate than Crow’s Nest. Good restaurant, too. I read they were damaged by the hurricane but they are in business now. Marker 4 Marina is located at Marker 4 just NE of the Tamiami North bridge, just N of the “ditch” going S from Venice. Main business, like Crow’s Nest, is a restaurant [Marker 4 Oyster Bar and Restaurant]. But they have large new floating docks with plenty of space and welcomed us at $2/ft. I didn’t inquire about depth, as we docked at the end and only draw 3′, but there were several large boats there. In the absence of a good anchorage, they would be my first choice at Venice.
Dennis Sullivan
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fishermens Wharf Marker 4 Marina
The anchorage discussed below lies just off the Western Florida ICW’s trek through Lemon Bay, north of Gasparilla Island and south of Venice. We have always found this to be a pretty good overnight haven, except during full gales.
We anchored a little further south than where the marker is located on the chart. We found 6 feet at low tide and good holding. No wakes as this is a “no wake” zone on the ICW. A great spot to anchor if you want to visit Don Pedro State Park which is easy to get to by dinghy.
James Angel
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Don Pedro Island Anchorage
We sincerely thank captain and crew of the vessel “Fairwinds” for supplying the Western Florida ICW shoaling report below. A study of chart 11425 does indeed suggest shoaling along the Waterway’s western flank, south of the Tom Adams Bridge (follow “Chart View” link below).
If ANYONE has more info about this shoaling, PLEASE click the “Contribute Here to Submit Cruising News” link on the upper right of this page, and share your information!
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is declaring a “Navigational Alert” for these waters!
Beware shoaling south of T. Adams Bridge along the west edge of the ICW. If proceeding southward toward Charlotte Harbor on the ICW, the best advice is simply to stay in the center of the channel. There are several shoals that jut out slightly from either side.
Fairwinds
The message below was actually received as a comment on the nearby Englewood Beach Anchorage (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76478), but as it seems to mention the shoal described above, we have copied it here as well:
This is a good anchorage, but since we have a heavy Gulfstar 39 sailboat with a 5′ draft, we want to point out a shoaling area along the western (toward the Gulf) side of the ICW that you have to clear before getting into the deeper water of the anchorage. We have bumped over this bar a couple times, but during higher tides we’ve had no problem. We tend to favor the bridge side of the sandbar before heading into the anchorage and have had fewer problems with access in our sailboat. There is a strong tidal current so set a good anchor with some scope and chain.
Mark Suby
We have not observed any NEW shoaling within the marked channel. The shoals to the sides of the channel are is clearly marked on the charts and seem to be accurate. Yes, it is important to turn into the Englewood Beach anchorage on the north (Bridge side) in order to clear the marked shoal on the western side of the channel. And, yes, it is always best to stay center channel when transiting this area – especially at low tide. I do not think this rises to the level of a navigation alert – it is just careful navigation.
Don Gordon
The anchor down spot referred to below by Captains Rick and Donna is listed in our Western Florida Anchorage Directory as the “Englewood Beach Anchorage. They are quite right in describing this spot as a “good anchorage.” In fact, it’s one of the best sheltered along this section of the Western Florida ICW, and there is a restaurant withing dinghy distance as well!
There are no anchoring restrictions in lemon bay, except in the ICW. There is a good anchorage on the Lemon Bay side of Englewood Beach. To reach it, one bears right [southwest] after passing through [south of] the Tom Adams Bridge, leaving the ICW to your port. Stay in the middle of the channel, and head toward the moored and anchored boats off the mangrove island on your port side. Just past the moored boats there is a secure and safe anchorage. We live in North Port, and cruise Lemon Bay regularly.
Fair Winds,
Rick & Donna
Reprinted from the MTOA List Serve, with permission of the authors
Find out more about the MTOA at: http://www.mtoa.net/
Good info, but there is nowhere to go ashore except the restaurant. So you can’t tie up there and go to the beach. Dockage is available at Chadwick Cove Marina adjacent to the restaurant (The White Elephant).
Denny Botkin
This is a good anchorage, but since we have a heavy Gulfstar 39 sailboat with a 5′ draft, we want to point out a shoaling area along the western (toward the Gulf) side of the ICW that you have to clear before getting into the deeper water of the anchorage. We have bumped over this bar a couple times, but during higher tides we’ve had no problem. We tend to favor the bridge side of the sandbar before heading into the anchorage and have had fewer problems with access in our sailboat. There is a strong tidal current so set a good anchor with some scope and chain.
Mark Suby
And, here’s some good navigational advice on how to gain entry to this anchorage with the best depths possible.
Beware shoaling south of T. Adams Bridge along the west edge of the ICW. To avoid this shoal [when entering the Englewood Beach anchorage] that has formed further north than shown on the charts, turn toward the moored boats immediately after clearing the bridge (if southbound) and head directly toward the moored boats/mangrove. Note the additional shoaling north of the mooring field.
Any boats carrying over 4 to 4 1/2 foot draft should avoid transitioning from the ICW at low tide – unless you have local knowledge. The best way to proceed from the bridge is to go directly toward and into the mooring field (idle speed, of course) from the bridge. Favor the south side after clearing the shoaling that parallels and is immediately adjacent to the ICW. Additional shoaling north of the mooring field extends from a point just west of the bridge almost to the docks on the western shore. If going to the White Elephant or to Chadwick Cove Marina, remain close to the docks on the western shore. Cutting the corner can put you hard aground.
Having said that, the anchorage is protected quite nicely in virtually all weather conditions.
Kindest Regards,
“FAIRWINDS”
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Englewood Beach Anchorage
Below, I’ve copied a question and answer, taken from the T&T (Trawlers and Trawlering) mail list, in regards to no-wake zones that will slow an inside passage between Sarasota and Fort Myers. All who cruise the western shores of the Sunshine State will thank Captain Pickelmann for such a ready and useful answer!
On the Gulf ICW between Sarasota and Fort Myers, what percent of the roughly 75 NM is speed restricted? I am charting a transit and it seems that I recall a significant portion of the stretch particularly from Sarasota to Punta Gorda is a slow zone.
Dan Stephens
Symmetry
Dan,
I’ve never actually measured it but there is a stretch of five miles or so between Sarasota and Venice that is a Minimum Wake Zone. Further on, there is another stretch of about five miles between the bottom of Lemon Bay and the Gasparilla Island bridge that is No Wake. There are other minor No Wake areas but they are pretty small. Really not a big deal.
Regards,
Randy Pickelmann
A little less than 1/2 of the distance is wake restricted. A better choice would be to go outside until Boca Grand then go inside. The winds are easterly most of the time so the Gulf is flat.
Ron Hoffman
Be aware of the signs, many of them state a minimum wake outside of the ICW channel and 25 mph in the channel. Since very few trawlers go 25 you are able to continue at your normal cruising speed because you also will not be outside of the channel as this area is very shallow, only fishing boats and wave runners can navigate there. Also some of the bridges have changed names so if you have older charts they may not be correct. Enjoy your trip!
Capt. Dana
Caution required if deciding to go outside at Big Sarasota Pass, can be tricky if windy..
Dennis McMurtry
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net has already established a Navigational Alert for this errant inlet, which lies south of Venice, Florida, due to an absence of navigational aids, and a remarking project in progress. Now, we hear that there is a real danger of one’s keel finding an underwater pile of “junk.” All cruisers making use of Stump Pass need to proceed at MAXIMUM ALERT, or better yet, make use of deep rand reliable Venice pass to the north!
We are establishing a second Navigational Alert for these waters!
There is a large tangle of gear on the bottom in the anchorage just S of the stump pass entrance on the inside. It consists of a large (approx) 700 lb. mushroom anchor and a helical ground anchor tangled with a section of large chain and 1″ wire rope. This, apparently left by the recent dredging operation lies 55-75 yards SE of the first dock one will pass upon heading into this anchorage and passage to the Knight Island anchorage and docks, in 7-10 feet of water. I became tangled in this on Saturday, 27 August and had to leave my anchor. The obstruction was observed by my diver when we retrieved the anchor. This was reported to the Coast Guard, but I don’t know if they have any responsibility in this area.
Rick Cass
Claiborne,
I got a call from the Coast Guard this morning (8/31/11) at 0740, and they were inquiring about more definite location info, and the depth of water at the location. Don’t know any more at present. Brisk winds and flat seas,
Rick Cass
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Stump Pass
Cruisers making their way through the charming community of Venice, Florida have probably, for the last several years, noticed a series of docks and slips overlooking the northeastern shores of the Western Florida ICW, just northwest of the Hatchett Creek Bridge, and southeast of marker #4. Then, within the past two weeks, we received the two messages below, so we undertook some fairly extensive research concerning this facility and discovered it has been in a semi-open state for some time now; new docks have been constructed, but apparent permitting problems have prevented them from opening; the marina is accepting overnight transients at other, fixed piers which are currently open. The person I talked with said they “hoped” the necessary permits would be ready within the next several month.
Hey, a note that the Fisherman’s Wharf Marina at marker 4 (right before the Hatchett Creek bridge heading south bound) is open. Good rates for overnite and not as much current as the inlet marina [Crows Nest Marina].
Jane Smith
Cruising News:
Dockage in Venice is always a bit tight. We are now sitting at a nice new floating dock at the Marker 4 Grill. These docks have been here for about five years involved in a an obscure and complicated discussion of which I am not a party. Available dockage here is either at the Venice Yacht Club -appropriate reciprocal membership required- which is full up right now or at the Crow’s Nest which is a miserable place to put in except at slack tide. Marker 4 does not advertise but can be contacted by phone at 941-484-0344. Great location. Just across the bridge from downtown.
N27 deg06.294
W82deg26.736
Fred Sorensen
OA43
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fishermens Wharf Marina Park
Royal Palm Marina lines the eastern banks of the Western Florida ICW’s run through Lemon Bay, south of Venice. Sounds like some good eats here!
Haven’t docked here yet, but the restaurant – Zeke’s – has excellent food. Very casual.
The new dockmaster is friendly.
Clyde
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Royal Palm Marina
Captain Sheena is quite right about the crowded conditions at the Venice – Higel Park Anchorage, which is, incidentally, located just south of the Venice Yacht Club. And, oh yes, the food at the nearby Crows Nets Marina and Restaurant is indeed OUTSTANDING!!!!
This anchorage was packed with smaller vessels when we arrived in the evening. Although there were a few open spots depths and/or swing room was insufficient. We have a 38 foot catamaran. I would not recommend this anchorage to larger vessels. Spend the money to stay the night at The Crow’s Nest and enjoy the pub.
Sheena
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Venice
The Western Florida ICW channel through Lemon Bay has always been notorious for shoaling along its edges. However, the shoaling discovered the hard way, described below, by Captain RB, calls for extra attention by ALL captains cruising this section of the Western florida ICW.
We are establishing an SSECN Navigation Alert for this section of the Western Florida Waterway. Please follow the link below to open a Chart View page zoomed to this Alert!
We ran on the inside to Cape Haze Marina and for the first time in over 30 years of boating I had to get commercial help (Tow Boat US) to get pulled off a sand bar. The spot is between 11 and 13 in Lemon Bay very near Stump Pass. A shoal is encroaching in the channel on the red [East] side. So definitely slow down and favor the green [western] side. I draw 5 feet and ran aground about 2 hours before high tide but there had been that Northern wind that was blowing that day and the 2 days prior. The tow boat driver (very nice) said that the day before he towed a 55, 46, & 39 footer from that same spot. So I don’t think I made a major error. Fortunately I knew I was in trouble and had slowed down and was out of gear so no apparent damage. The tow was $972 (13/ft plus 160/hr). Did not wish to spend the money but I am glad they were there as I was not getting of by myself and it took him a solid hour of pulling to get us to about 150 feet to the channel. Any way let your readers know so they can be prepared for this problem area.
RB
Came through this section on 1/31/11 at 13:30 with 0.8 ft tide. Stayed center channel and saw no less than 9 ft.
John Vierra
Crows Nest Marina lies just off the Western Florida ICW, on the eastern reaches of the Venice Pass channel. This facility is also home to one of the best restaurants in all of Florida.
We stayed at Crow’s Nest and as your Cruising Guide said it proved to be rolly in the strong wind we had for 2 days. We “fendered up” and it was OK.
RB
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Crows Nest Marina
For the latest on the proposed mooring field at Venice, Florida, as well as a peak at a similar proposal for Bradenton Beach, follow the link below!
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20101219/COLUMNIST/12191046/2055/NEWS?p=1&tc=pg
This is probably the third of fourth posting we’ve had here on the Cruisers’ Net concerning name confusion at this bridge which crosses the Western Florida ICW, near Venice, Florida. The “Federal Register,” which is supposed to be the determining document, lists this span as the “South Venice Bridge,” which we have seen it named elsewhere at the “Tamiami Trail Bridge.” But, according to other cruisers’ reports, Captain Schmitty is quite right in his note below when he says the bridge tenders here will only respond to a call for the “Circus Bridge.”
12/14/10 this bridge responds to hailing “Circus Bridge”
We got no response at all from repeated hails on South Venice or Tamiami Trail.
Captain Schmitty
While I would personally only give the marina part of the Crows Nest operation an “average” rating, there is simply no argument that the adjacent restaurant is one of the FINEST in all of Florida. This culinary attraction is more than enough reason to coil your lines at this facility.
To access Crows Net, leave the Western Florida ICW, at its intersection with Venice Pass. Cruise to the west, and Crows Nest will soon come abeam on the southern shores.
We just stayed at Crows nest for 2 nights, Fabulous place, great staff, absolutely on e of the best Restaurants in Florida.
If you’re a wine lover, then a star will be shining on you when you open up the wine list. Hundreds of incredible offerings from many parts of the world. we were lucky enough to be there when they had 40% off on Wines.
I will go back to this place again and again !!!!!
Capt Schmitty
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Crows Nest Marina
This little note from Captain Fred contains two gems of cruising info. First, he reports on the anchorage just east of the Venice Yacht Club, which we call the “Venice – Higel Park Anchorage,” AND the current situation at the Higel Park/City of Venice Public Docks. Those of you who have been following along on the Net’s “Western Florida Cruising News” section know there was a huge controversy here a few months ago when the city of Venice began disallowing overnight dockage at this city facility.
Also, it’s worth noting that swinging room is TIGHT in the “Venice – Higel Park Anchorage.”
Subject*: Venice Florida
Last night we anchored in Venice on the west side of the Intracoastal in that little pocket just to the east of the Venice Yacht Club. It was a nice quiet evening. There were two boats at the public dock. About 18:00 a Towboat Us went by and I asked him what the situation was re: staying at the Higel Park docks overnight was. Answer was that the prohibition on overnight dockage did not seem to be enforced. Two days earlier I had called the City Of Venice and been informed that overnight at the anchorage on the west side by the YC or in Roberts Bay was OK but not at the dock at Higel Park.
There you are with the latest.
Fred Sorensen
OA 43
This is not a good anchorage primarily because it is right along the channel that leads to the Venice Yacht Club on one side and along a shoal on the other side. As Ron said, people anchor too close together due to the restricted swing room. Best choice for a stop in Venice is to spend a few bucks and stay at the Crows Nest or the Venice YC. Otherwise, just keep on going.
Rick
<a href=”http://www.CruisersNet.net/73-venice-higel-park-anchorage-2″><span style=”font-size: normal;”><strong>Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For The Venice – Higel Park Anchorage</strong></span></a>
Well, the bridge operators can certainly call it the “Circus Bridge,” and, since they do, this is how you should refer to the span when calling the bridge, BUT in the Federal Register, its the “South Venice Bridge.” Oh well, who reads the “Federal Register?”
This bridge is called the “Circus bridge” and the tenders will correct you, if referred to otherwise. They are a bit touchy I guess.
Rick Perry
Claiborne – we travel this route often and for several years now (probably back to 2005-6) the bridge has been known as “Circus Bridge”. The Florida Gulf Intracoastal Waterway Bridge Schedule (this is a website item) now calls it the Tamiami Trail Bridge. We were last thru this bridge in late May of this year and it was Circus Bridge at that time. The current web page appears to be as of September 2010. Perhaps someone from the area will be able to provide up to date info. How about contacting the city of Venice or the County Offices??
John N. Cover
Hudson, Florida
It was over 5 years ago that we hailed that bridge by the name in your cruising guide and were told that we should use “circus bridge” or risk not being answered. I marked our chart accordingly. Apparently the confusion still reigns.
Duane Ising, IT
Have been cruising through the area for over 30 years and have never heard of Circus Bridge, always was South Venice Bridge.
Captain Walt Wagner
"Sunset After The Storms"
by: Susan Leaf
