There has been a lively discussion over the past several days on the GL (Great Loop) list about cruising the “Big Bend” section of the Western Florida coastline. If you are not familiar with this region, there is NO intracoastal waterway that serves the Big Bend region. So, if you’re northbound, cruisers must either cut the corner and head straight across the Gulf for Carrabelle/Dog Island or Panama City (to name only two possible Panhandle ports of call), OR follow the coastline as it curves to the west, staying WELL offshore to avoid the broad band of shallows that extends well seaward from this section of the Sunshine State’s coastline. Ask any three cruisers what is the best strategy to cross the Big Bend, and you’ll hear four opinions. So, with that in mind, please peruse what our fellow cruisers are saying below, and join in this discussion by clicking the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below.

Okay, I need to collective knowledge of the group again. It was invaluable leaving the keys. I’m in St Pete for a few days then river hopping up to Steinhatchee River to do the crossing to Carrabelle.
What is the best weather window and easiest way to do this? I really appreciate the help here!! Thanks!!
Ken

Joanne and I did it a few years ago , but opposite from you . We had anchored out from Carrabelle , Early that morning NOAA was saying the seas would lay down around 12:00 , so we started out in rough seas. As we passed Dog Island , we agreed then, that either the seas would lay down or we would anchor at Dog Island , but we were not going to lose sight of Dog unless we got calm water . Just like NOAA promised the seas laid down at lunch time , to the point it was so calm we we even went on plan for a while , to make up time. Except for the shallow spots , it was smooth sailing . Getting into Steinhatchee and not running aground was quite a job . There was very little water even in the channel. Whole crossing was around 12 hours
Glenn

Sea Hag Marina is an Old Florida style marina [in the village of Steinhatchee on the Steinhatchee River]. In fact the whole community is Old Florida . In the evenings the old men wander down to the marina to see what the fishermen brought in . Its a nice laid back kind of place.
There’s only one anchorage in Steinhatchee and its a small one . We anchored there one night and I being worried about letting out to much rode , didn’t let out enough and we dragged a little .
Our next visit we stayed at Sea Hag .
Glenn

We did it Carrabelle to Cedar, and the next day to Caladesi State Park. First day is a long one, left before down in the fall, but 2nd day was not so bad, time wise.
See you on the Waterways!
Capt. Sterling

Have things changed in the last couple years? When we went in there was a well marked channel with 8′ the whole way in. Don’t remeber what the tide stage was but it’s only around 3′ so unless you hit it at dead low tide or you have a 6’+ draft, it shouldn’t be much of a problem getting in.
We enjoyed our stay at Sea Hag Marina. I would recommend calling ahead as all but the outer slips dry out at low tide.
Mike & Tammy

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Sea Hag Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Steinhatchee River

Cedar Key, not personally my favorite port of call in the Flroida’s Big Bend region, is served by two channels. The Seahorse Key channel makes in from the Gulf of Mexico on a more or less west to east axis. There is an unbelievable “S” turn in this passage, which, even if you know it’s there, can still lead to your keel meeting up with the bottom.
The Northwest Channel, which is subject of Captain Roussel’s note below, is convenient for vessels southbound along the Big Bend coastline, but, as you will see, there has been some shoaling along the way in this passage.

We came out the Cedar Key Northwest Channel on 4/20/10. I believe that it is possible that there has been some additional shoaling. However, this is in a fairly narrow area between markers 20 and 22. I did some sounding from the dinghy the day before and found from the dinghy that the best water was on the `red side’ of the channel as the Dickersons’ found. When we departed I anticipated more depth based on the soundings but `bumped’ while trying to hug the reds. Not sure if I missed a spot in the dinghy or if the winds the night before had lowered the water a bit. We draw about 4’8’³ and the predicted tide was a 2.5′ intermediate high when we left. We spoke to a Sea Tow captain the day before and he said we should not have a problem on a high high, but would only give a maybe on the intermediate high. We confirmed the maybe.
Bill Roussel
Nena II
Island Packet 35