Pelican Bay is one of the most popular anchorages in anchorage rich Pine Island Sound. Protected Pelican Bay sits just behind Cayo Costa, an undeveloped barrier island that is also a Florida State Park.
The only problem with anchoring in Pelican Bay is the somewhat thin depths on the bay’s entrance, particuarly at MLW. The wonderful Isles Yacht Club in Punta Gorda, has made it their particular mission to detail the best passage into Pelican Bay.
We have had many postings here on the Net’s “Western Florida” section about entering Pelican Bay, but Captain Lee’s message below gives some truly detailed data. So, I thought it best to put it up as a fresh posting that would be more readily noticed.

We got directions from the Cabbage Key ferry guy and true, coming in from the RENUMBERED ICW marker 74, and passing close to the sign..I think it’s a mantee warning, you have to be just about 1/2 a boat length for our 42-footer from the beach and you can look down and see the darkness of the deep water current. Then you turn and head for the fixed wooden dock. South of it and even with a manatee pocket, is a 9-foot hole about 150 feet from the shore. You cannot exit via the south unless you have a zero-draft boat.That chartlet was sure to guarantee a grounding and I am so glad you removed it for liability reasons. A call to Lynda at Isles Yacht Club in Punta Gorda the other day reveals if you send them a $3 check they will send a laminated bearings chart mentioned in the 3/1/08 posting.
That YC sends members there with assigned bearings stations every once in awhile to update the chart. Boaters should go in DEAD SLOW as they skirt both the sign and the beach. Don’t side tie to the long outside dock because it’s the ferry’s.
We found it and waited a year before we were brave enough to go in, and only after we hailed the ferry and he told us to follow him exactly, on the way in. He exits all the way south to Cabbage Key because he knows which houses on Useppa to sight off of, but we’ve gotten hung up in our dinghy on our way south out of there to the Tunnel of Love because we couldn’t follow the ferry closely enough to see what he was doing. But for any fearful boaters  standing off in the ICW, if you find his schedule and hail him, he will let you follow him in.
Best regards…your fan,
Lee Stapella

Subject: Detailed info on entering Pelican Bay
Cruising News: As a follow up to Lee Stapella’s posting: the ferry is the Tropic Star, and if you follow closely, you can carry about 3 ft or so all the way to Cabbage Key (that’s about the draft for Tropic Star, and even in the extreme low tides, there\’s room). The best representation of the good water is found in the West Coast Chart Kit, and it’s a very meandering path to follow. As a former captain on Tropic Star, I’ve been through there about 8 or 9 hundred times, and I was taught the pathway by a native of Cayo Costa. If you’re following in your dinghy, stay real close behind – but then you have to get back, don’t you?
Capt Mike Smith
Bokeelia

I had the opportunity to discover Pelican Bay after limping across Charlotte Harbor in a bad squal several months ago. A nice place to lick your wounds and relax. Plan on some trips back there in the near future.
Donn Brown
Namaste – Watkins 27

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Pelican Bay Outer Anchorage

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Pelican Bay Park Service Dock Anchorage

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Pelican Bay – Punta Blanca Island Anchroage

The “Tunnel of Love” described by Captain Douglas below, lies off popular Pelican Bay and Cayo Costa Florida State Park. I had heard that this once popular attraction was badly mauled during the 2005 hurricane season. Looks like that’s still the case!

Subject: Western Florida Tunnel of Love
Cruising News: I have an update on the “Tunnel of Love” near Pelican Bay. On Tuesday 25 November we were anchored in Pelican Bay and attempted to explore the Tunnel of Love by inflatable dinghy. The water at the entrance to the tunnel was very shallow when the tide 0.9 feet above MLLW. I had to drag the dinghy across the shallows. Then, we only went down the tunnel about 50 feet. Dead mangroves were everywhere. We stopped in fear that a mangrove stick would puncture a tube in the dinghy and leave us stranded far from our boat. The exploration would best be done at high tide with a hard-sided, shallow draft craft.
Douglas Kendrick

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Pelican Bay Outer Anchorage

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Pelican Bay Park Service Dock Anchorage

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Pelican Bay – Punta Blanca Island Anchroage

I copied the very useful discussion below from the AGLCA list. Crystal River is one of the southermost of the Big Bend River, found north of Homosassa River. Note the data about shallow water at Twin River Marina. I join with Captain Alan below in recommeding that cruisers continue upstream to Pete’s Pier Marina, or try anchoring in Kings Bay.

We were told there was enough water to come into Twin River Marina, however, boats sit on the bottom at low tide. Any boats with a draft over 3.0. will have a problem. I always ask about draft and channel clearance, and was told no problem. That has not been the case.

We draw just 2’10″ maybe 3′ when fully loaded and would concur that spots can be a bit shallow.  We commented a number of times going in, that big boats would have a hard time getting into Twin Rivers Marina. Even at our depth we stirred up some mud. Take care as it sure is worth the effort to be able to swim with those Manatees. For me one of the high lites of our whole trip.
Clare

Continue three miles further up Crystal River and you will find a deeper  alternative to Twin Rivers Marina, viz., Pete’s Pier Marina or Kings Bay  anchorage.   We were there this time last year and arranged for a  pontoon tour round Kings Bay to see the manatee.
Alan  Lloyd
Great Loop Navigation Notes

We’re docked at Pete’s Pier Marina. Good to be off the Gulf while the next system moves through. We planned on staying just one night, heading to Clearwater this morning, but the system is moving through faster than the forecast indicated last night. The staff here are great. This marina is in walking distance to town, had a wonderful meal last night at Cody’s. Enterprise is right around the corner too.
Denny and Karen
Another Option

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Twin Rivers Marina

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Petes Pier – Kings Bay Marine

Sounds like a great place to fill the tank!

Those of you in the area of Fort Myers Beach, FL, here's a pearl.  In Ft. Myers Beach, Matanzas Pass, there is a company called Ballard Oil that has diesel (ONLY DIESEL) prices that are $0.20 below the next best prices in the area.  Ballard is a commercial fuel dock that fuels shrimp boats, but also fuels sport fish and non-commercial customers. Today, the cash/check price for diesel was $2.399 with all FL state taxes included.  Ft. Myers Yacht Basin was $2.579.  So, for cruising boats, a nice savings. 
To get to Ballard, follow Matanzas pass through the Ft. Myers Beach Bridge, hard to port after the bridge and follow the channel around to starboard, past the shrimp boat fleet, to a 4 story white building that has a huge red "DIESEL" sign painted on it.  Contact is owner Jim Ballard.  Phone number is (239) 463-7677.
Peg and Jim Healy, aboard Sanctuary

I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating. Get any four cruisers together, and you’ll get six opinions about how best to cross the Big Bend region of Florida, between Apalachicola or Carrabelle, and Anclote Key (or Clearwater). For those of you not familair with these waters, there is NO protected intracoastal waterway serving this portion of the Florida coastline. So, the decision is whether to cut the corner and head straight for Anclote or Clearwater, or follow the Big Bend coastline around, staying SEVERAL miles offshore to avoid the long shelf of shallows that run out from this part of the Florida coastline. There are those who believe passionately in one or another of these plans.
I have copied the discussion below from the AGLCA list in hopes that others thoughts may aid you in your own decision!

You are correct that many cruisers leap across the arm pit in a single bound.    From Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs is 170 statute  miles. For most this translates to an overnight trip.  If you  do not wish to go overnight, or like me, do not have the range, it is better to  do shorter runs with more stops.
The first leg is from Carrabelle to Steinhatchee, 85 miles.   From there it is 120 miles to Tarpon Springs.
I recommend an intermediate stop at Crystal River.  The entrance  to Crystal River can be shallow but if you draw less than 4.5 feet it is  doable.
Best to avoid Homosassa River and Suwannee River unless the latter is  dredged before the date of your trip.
These are the routes are described in my book .
Alan  Lloyd

The “Big Bend” is a very nice part of the trip and missed by too many loopers rushing for unknown reasons.  It’s an “old Florida” pace and style.  Wait for good weather to go from Carrabelle to Steinhatchee, next day go the sort trip from Steinhatchee to Yankeetown, because the deep narrow river trip up to Yankeetown is really cool.  Then go 20 miles to Crystal River to see the manatees, and finally go 55 NM to Tarpon Springs.
Doug Shuman

Even though Captain Katherine’s note below is in response to the “Western Florida Wish List” I sent out at the beginning of November, 2008, I wanted to post this message as a fresh entry. I know of few other communities who have made such a sincere effort to attract cruisers to their mooring field!

I am chair of the Anchorage Advisory Committee for the Town of Fort Myers Beach Mooring Field and I keep my boat year round in the mooring field.  We have a new floating dinghy dock under the bridge on the island side to make it easier to enjoy the island.  Restaurants and shops are with a couple of blocks of the dock, and there is a trolley that can take you to grocery stores, drug stores, and all the other places cruisers need to visit.  Matanzas Inn under the bridge is where you check in and has the land facilities for the mooring field.  There are two beautiful shower suites with large dressing areas and a community room with four washer/dryer pairs.  Water is available at Matanzas for jerry jug use.  The rate is $13.00 a night plus tax and there is a monthly rate available.  Pump-out (by boat) is included in the price and can be scheduled through Matanzas Inn.
One of the complaints about our field is that the tethers are coated with slime and barnacles.  They are cleaned regularly but unfortunately, the water in the bay is very fertile and stuff grows quickly.  When we take our boat off the ball and are away for a few nights, slime has already grown back.  We are exploring ways to alleviate this problem.
There is much more information on the town’s website: fortmyersbeachfl.gov. Just click on the mooring field link.  There is a map of the field, phone numbers for Matanzas Inn, and much more.  We will be redoing the website in the coming months.
I hope a lot of cruisers will come to our mooring field and enjoy the great town of Fort Myers Beach!!
Katherine Light, S/V Alborada

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Fort Myers Beach Mooring Field

Back on 11/6/08, as part of a “Western Florida Wish List,” I posed the following question:

25. The village of Boca Grande is the principal port of call on Gasparilla Island. We LOVE this place!!! The primary marina facility is now known as Boca Grande Marina (formerly Millers Marina). Since this facility changed ownership, I’ve heard very good things about it. The only problem has been depths on the entrance channel. The new owner wants to dredge, but has had trouble with necessary permits. Who has visited Boca Grand Marina in 2008? Please comment on the marina and its entrance depths.

Responses follow:

This is a great marina, wonderful facility, food, and service. The golf carts for rent and plentiful. 5 foot low tide at least in channel.
Warm regards,
Richard

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Boca Grande Marina

Here’s a neat tip on how to dinghy to a Wal-Mart, plus many other shoreside businesses in North Fort Myers. “Hancock Creek,” referred to below, lies on the opposite side of the Caloosahatchee River from the downtown Fort Myers waterfront,  just west of the Highway 41 Business high-rise bridge.

We found a canal that leads to within a 1/2 mile walk to a Super Wall-Mart,  Dollar Store, Napa Auto parts, Sonic etc…….SW of the Cleveland Avenue  Bridge (St Mile 135) you will find a marked channel that goes into the Hancock  Creek..you can cut the corner to markers ”G11 R12” staying to the SW of the  submerged piles marked on the chart……we went into the creek with our  Automobile GPS….we had programed in the address for NAPA……and  watched……we decided we would be closest via foot if we beached the boat at  the kayak/canoe launching ramp at the Judd Park (A Lee County Park)…from  the it is less then 1/2mile to walk to Super Wall Mart and Napa is across the  street.  From the mooring ball to the ramp took us 45 miutes since we  went really slow (manatees)…but it sure beat waking 3-4 miles…..
Super Wall Mart is on Pine Island Road (Rt 78) North Fort Myers……the  park is nearest to the intersect of Brown Street and Evergreen Street….Brown  Street leads out to hthe highway and you can see the Wall Mart across over to  your left when you get to the highway.
When you are going up the creek always choose the deeper choices (evidenced by seeing docks and boats and retaining walls)……the park in on you  right….behind a mangrove hedge…..you will need to be alert to watch for  tennis courts etc behind the dense mangrove hedges…..and the boat ramp in  found by following the park edge around to the right and it is at the end of a  little creek…..
Our automobile GPS helped a lot.
Barbara and Ken

And, a complimentary comment on the above posting from a fellow cruiser.

Subject: A comment on the post by Barbara & Ken. RE: N. Ft. Myers Wal-Mart etc
Cruising News: We should all post useful information like this.  As transients it is often tough to find convenient retail outlets so this type of ‘local knowledge’ can be invaluable to all of us.  I would encourage all of us to post more info of this type.
Rick Parish
s/v  Sea Breeze

Copied the discussion below from the “Ask Your Neighbor” page. As usual, Captain Allan makes some spot-on recommendations. And, oh yes, Fort Myers Municipal Marina is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

Can anyone make a personal recommendation for a marina in the Ft. Myers/Cape Coral area that is conveniently located to shopping,reprovisioning, etc. and is within walking distance?  We appreciateany information you can provide.

There are two excellent marinas in Ft. Myers.   We have stayed at  both.  Fort Myers Municipal Yacht Basin is close to downtown and the busy  waterfront.   Legacy Harbor Marina, (formerly Centennial Harbor) is a  couple of blocks from downtown but closer to a new Publix and closer to the  Edison Home. The Post Office is midway between the  two. If you plan to leave your boat unattended then Legacy  looks more secure but we left our boat for six weeks at the Yacht Basin with no  problem.
The Fort Myers area is convenient to Southwest Florida Airport (RSW) where  you may book a flight or rent a car. There is taxi service to the  airport.
Alan Lloyd
Great Loop Navigation Notes

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Fort Myers City Yacht Basin

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Legacy Harbor Marina

Embree Marine, the subject of the posting below, is located on Salty Creek, immediately south of the superb St. Petersburg Municipal Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR)! Embree sounds like a good place to store a boat long term!

For the last three years I kept my boat (now sold) on the hard at Embree Marine in St. Petersburg, FL during hurricane season (May – Nov).  It worked great for my peace of mind, though it made no difference with my insurer as far as premium was concerned.  It was particularly nice for me as we spent a good part of the summer away from FL.
I had electricity available but I used it only for batteries and did not run the A/C.  Humidity did not prove to be a problem.  I had someone clean the deck every two weeks.
Dan Stone
St. Petersburg, FL

Captain Herman is quite right in his message below. Up until now, we have not covered Marco Island's Smokehouse Bay either on the Net's "Western Florida Anchorage Directory" or my own "Cruising Guide to Western Florida." We will correct that oversight ASAP!
For the moment, I took a look at chart 11430, and noted that Smokehouse Bay is accessed by way of a marked channel which runs through Collier Bay, near the northernmost section of Marco Island. I have heard that MLW depths in this entrance cut are thin. Anyone have more info on this anchorage?????

Guflport is a charming community that resides on the shores of Boca Ciega Bay,  just north of Tampa Bay (near Statute Mile 114). The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net has also supported the creation of a mooring field to serve these waters, and we are very pleased to report that the good people at Boat/US have seen fit to award Gulfort a Boat/US Boating Access Award! Cheers for Boat/US, and, let me not fail to mention, this orgainization’s Tow/Boat/US division is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

Subject: Gulfport Mooring Field Project Wins Boat US Boating Access Award
Cruising News: BOAT US CHOOSES the CITY OF GULFPORT recipient of their annual BOATING ACCESS AWARD for the GULFPORT MUNICIPAL MOORING FIELD PROJECT

Please Join Us at the Award Ceremony
FRIDAY  November 14
10 AM
GULFPORT CASINO

Boat U.S. Vice President of Public Affairs, Margaret Podlich and Assistant Vice President, Public Relations, Scott Croft will bestow a 2008 Boat U.S. Recreational Boating Access Award to the City of Gulfport Mayor, Michael Yates, on behalf of the city, this Friday, November 14th in front of the Gulfport Casino (5500 Shore Blvd., Gulfport) at 10 a.m.
Gulfport will receive international as well as national attention.  Local businesses as well as every citizen will benefit in some way by this well publicized, prestigious award.
The nation’s largest association of recreational boaters (approx 670,000) will be honoring the City of Gulfport, FL, for its efforts with improving local waterway access and the development of the Gulfport Municipal Mooring Field. 
Boat Owners Association of The United States (Boat U.S.) created the award program in 2007 to highlight successes in protecting water access in a time when boaters were losing marina slips, service yards and launching areas in many parts of the country.  The Gulfport Mooring Field is one of six community projects across the U.S. that earned a 2008 Access Award.
The award is based on four criteria: First, the challenges faced in retaining or increasing access in an area; Second, the direct impact or measurable results of the solution; Third, the level of success in increasing awareness of the issue in a community and; Fourth, “repeatability,” the ability to take the successful approach and adopt it in other areas.
Communities which have promoted the preservation and use of their historic waterfronts and heritage have been able, in many cases, to generate sufficient income from tourism to stave off vertical development and loss of character.  Wouldn’t it be nice if Gulfport could grow with grace, prosper and remain the only green spot along the shore of Boca Ciega Bay?
Please Join City Officials and Your Neighbors This Friday at 10:00 AM at the Casino for the Award Presentation.   
Best Wishes,
Cindy Davis

On 11/6/08, as part of a “Western Florida Wish List,” I posed the following question:

Salty Sams Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR)  is perhaps the best facility in Fort Myers Beach. Who has stayed here, and what did you discover?

Responses follow:

Dear Cruising Writer,
In response to your West Florida Wish List, I’d like to comment on an extremely satisfying experience I recently had at Salty Sam’s Marina. Our family decided to take advantage of some excellent Southwest Florida fall weather and boat to Parrot Key for lunch.  As we approached the Marina and made our way under the Mantanzas Pass Bridge, the kids were having a great time looking at the large shrimp boats and various pleasure boats moving in and out of the busy channel.  When we arrived at the new, state of the art, floating docks we were greeted by a courteous dock master. Our dining experience could not have been better.  The restaurant had a nice crowd and our waitress was attentive and upbeat.  The menu had a great selection of food items for the entire family and of course a great selection of cold beer for the grownups.
If you want a great excuse to take the boat out for the day or weekend, Salty Sam’s Marina is a perfect family friendly destination.
Tight Lines,
Rob
Ft. Myers

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Salty Sams Marina

The Mandalay Channel can be accessed from the Western Florida ICW, north of the high-rise Clearwater Beach Bridge. This is a passage that requires careful attention and caution. Once you are actually on the interior reaches of Mandalay Channel, depths improve, and youc an pick from any number of places to drop the hook.

You did not ask, but I will comment on the anchorages in the Mandalay Channel just north of the Clearwater Causeway Bridge. This is a really nice anchorage location. The entrance channel was well marked, easy to follow, and mostly quite deep. We saw one spot that was just under 7 feet on the way in (Tide was over 1 foot.) The one interesting difference from your guidebook and from the charts is that we did not find any shallow water near marker 14. We followed the official channel on the way in, but came back out well north of marker 14, with plenty of depth. I explored around marker 14 with a sounder and did not find much evidence of the purported central obstruction.
In any case this location was very nice. Almost unlimited room, reasonably well protected from directions other than southeast, quiet, and scenic.
I hope this information is of some interest and use to you.
Best regards,
Gene and Sue Fuller
Punta Gorda, Florida

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For The Mandalay Channel Anchorage

On 11/6/08, as part of a “Western Florida Wish List,” I posed the following question:

51. The access channel to Clearwater Municipal Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR) cuts west at marker #1, just south of the high-rise Clearwater Beach Bridge. This is another excellent municipal marina. Could someone who has stayed here please give us a late breaking report on this impressive facility? Some nearby dining recommendations would also be most welcome.

Responses follow:

As I mentioned above, we are currently docked at Clearwater Municipal Marina. As you note, this is a fine facility. My only complaint is that some of the upright posts on the finger piers are literally falling down. We need to be very careful getting on and off our boat, since the obvious post to grab is swinging on a single bolt and completely unstable. It appears that others in this area are in a similar state of disrepair.
Best regards,
Gene and Sue Fuller
Punta Gorda, Florida

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Clearwater Municipal Marina

On 11/6/08, as part of a “Western Florida Wish List,” I posed the following question:

44. Moving up into Tampa Bay, cruisers will discover the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR) north of charted Albert Whitted Airport. This has always been one of the best city run marinas that I have researched in the last 28 years. Recently, this already fine facility went through an extensive rebuilding process. Can someone who has stayed here since the project has been completed please comment on this facility? Some nearby dining recommendations would also be most welcome.

Responses follow:

We just spent three days at St. Pete. It was our first time there, so I cannot make any comparisons to previous facilities. The quality of the docks and services was fine. The restrooms and showers were in good condition. Friendly staff and easy access. Highly recommended.
Best regards,
Gene and Sue Fuller
Punta Gorda, Florida

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For St. Petersburg Municipal Marina

On 11/6/08, as part of a “Western Florida Wish List,” I posed the following question:

45. Just north of the St. Pete Marina, the Vinoy Resort Marina guards the northern banks of the “North Yacht Basin.” This facility has also been completely rebuilt. Can someone please give us a report on the new incarnation of this marina?

Responses follow:

Hello
My name is Rick Medina. I am the Fleet Captain for Pasadena Yacht Club. I took our club to the New Vinoy Marina a year ago. We will return in April of this year during the art festival. The docks are massive concrete structures. They are very high. The Vinoy has installed ladders so small boats can get on and off. The dock help is helpful and very nice. The same amenities are still available such as their pool and health club which are a very short walk from the marina. Transient rates are approx. $2.50 a foot. There is plenty of water for those who draw 6 feet. It is also a  gated marina for safety. The one draw back is [that] any Easterly winds will turn the basin into a roller coaster.
I hope this helps.
Rick Medina

The rebuilding appears to be complete, but the facility is nearly empty. The docks are concrete and quite massive. It seems that the majority of the facility is designated to be some sort of club. Not sure if a dockominium or not. Only about a dozen slips were occupied.
Best regards,
Gene and Sue Fuller
Punta Gorda, Florida

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Renaissance Vinoy Resort Marina

On 11/6/08, as part of a “Western Florida Wish List,” I posed the following question:

23. Possibly the most popular anchorage on Pine Island Sound is Pelican Bay. This body of water is accessed from the Waterway, just south of Boca Grande Pass. I have always found the entrance channel depths to be a bit thin at low water, possibly only 4 ½ feet. Those who have anchored in Pelican Bay recently, please give a report on depths, and what else you found here. Did you go ashore on Cayo Costa (at FL state park), and walk across to the beach? What services did you find in the park?

Responses follow:

We cruised into Pelican Bay to show our guests the anchorage. The entrance depths are in the four to five foot range and we saw similar readings approaching the Park Service docks. No comment on the park as we did not go ashore.
Doug Kendrick

Claiborne,
Several of us with 6 foot drafts anchor there regularly.  I’ve never had any trouble entering Pelican Bay.  Just stay close to the north beach where the sign is.  Now when you get in, 6+ feet at low tide is limited to a relatively small portion of the Bay, but still enough to accommodate all the boats I’ve ever seen there.  The bottom is very gradual in the anchorage area and rises toward the shores predictably.
Bob Hanners

With winter low tides, you could easily see 4.5’, but generally, you won’t find less than 5’ if you are careful.  The trick is looking at the chart and figuring out where the current comes through the entrance.  That’s where you will find the deepest water, and at the entrance, it is very close to shore.  Once in, 6-10 depths rule, though there is a small hump in the center, just east of the park dock.  The park has a new dock and you can tie up a small boat of dinghy to explore the park.  The Rangers want you to stay on the road if you go to the beach, but there is a wagon/trolley that makes the trip back and forth to the beach if you don’t want to walk.  The beach is great for shelling and just exploring for miles.  The park has some camping and picnic facilities on the beach.  There are latrines, etc. on the beach.
Jake Dye

Cayo Costa and Pelican Bay are fabulous. We went in keeping well to the starboard side of the channel and found no less than six feet. We went ashore and over to the Gulf beach. There were bathrooms and cold water showers for free. Also, there is a small store on the island with beverages and island souvenirs. Don’t bring any rubbish onto the island.The beach is seven miles of unspoiled tropical beauty. There are picnic pavilions for your use and a free shuttle if you choose not to walk to the beach. There is a $2 per person landing fee which is collected on an honor basis. What a bargain! There are also a few docks available on a first come basis for free, but they are only suitable for shallow draft (under three feet) vessels.
Bob Cormier

Subject: West Coast–Pelican Bay anchorage
Message: We have been anchored in Pelican Bay several times in the last month and found at least 5 1/2 feet at the enterance at dead low (very low do to NE winds). Stay very close to the sand bar on the north side.
Bob Sween

At low water, you can carry at least 5.5 ft if you know where to go. Ashore, the ranger station/state park has decent bathrooms, a drinking water fountain, a small museum, and a ranger station where you can buy ice. Hike across or take the crude tram to the beautiful beach on the gulf. There they have camp grounds, some small cabins, and bathrooms with showers, along with a water spigot. Each person pays $1 on the honor system to visit ashore.
Regards,
Duane Ising
s/v Diva Di
36 Catalina

We anchor in Pelican Bay numerous times per year. The entrance channel is actually plenty deep, around 7 feet at zero tide. However, the best water is relatively narrow, and it is VERY close to the entrance sign. We have found that it is best to approach from ICW marker 74 and aim to pass the sign board only 50 to 75 feet to the southern side. The depth gets quite a bit worse only 200 to 300 feet from the sign. As you make this “best” approach it appears that you will quickly end up on the beach. It is necessary to turn to follow the beach as you pass the sign, and continue on for a couple hundred yards. The water is actually 9 to 10 feet deep only 50 feet from the beach. After the short, but close run along the beach, head in the direction of the Cayo Costa dock and proceed to your favorite anchoring spot. It is important to avoid cutting the corner outside of the entrance sign. There is a shoal just north of the line from the sign to ICW marker 74.
There was a major rearrangement of sand in this area in the early part of 2008. The beach has changed a lot (smaller and shorter), and the little lagoon behind the entry beach has opened up. The inlet near the park dock, where the park service boats used to tie up, was completely closed by a newly formed sand bar.
Best regards,
Gene and Sue Fuller
Punta Gorda, Florida

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Pelican Bay Outer Anchorage

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Pelican Bay Park Service Dock Anchorage

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Pelican Bay – Punta Blanca Island Anchroage

On 11/6/08, as part of a “Western Florida Wish List,” I posed the following question:

26. From northern Pine Island Sound, another huge body of water known as Charlotte Harbor sweeps to the north, northwest. The first facility encountered on Charlotte Harbor is Burnt Store Marina. This is a huge complex. Who can comment on a recent visit to Burnt Store? If possible, please also comment on the restaurant you found here.

Responses follow:

Not much has changed in the past year or so. It has a great fuel dock and pump-out station with excellent employees. We dine at the restaurant by boat and car and find the food generally good, but not superb. It offers a pretty environment for viewing the many docked boats.
Regards,
Duane Ising
s/v Diva Di
36 Catalina

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Burnt Store Marina

On 11/6/08, as part of a “Western Florida Wish List,” I posed the following quesiton:

4. Indian Key sits astride one of only two marked channels in the Ten Thousand Islands. This is the passage to Everglades City (see below). Who has anchored off Indian Key in 2008. What did you find, and what depths did you observe? Were you disturbed by commercial fishing traffic from Everglades City?

Responses follow:

We anchored there in mid-Jun 2008 and found shallow depths close to the Key but adequate depths (6 ft) not too far offshore. Contrary to your guide, however, we did not find anything interesting here at all. We saw/heard commercial traffic very early but had anchored out of their path and they were not an issue.
Regards,
Duane Ising
s/v Diva Di
36 Catalina

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For The Indian Key Anchorage