The anchorage Captain Stone refers to in his note below, we term the “Johnson Bay Anchorage” in the Net’s “Western Florida Anchorage Directory.” Whatever you call it, this is indeed a good spot to drop the hook, IF you don’t plan on going ashore at Marco Island.

If you decide to stop in the Marco Island area I’ll share info on an anchorage there that I picked up from another T & T contributor a couple of years ago.
Take a look at a spot a short distance north of Marco Island along the channel between Naples and Marco Island, NW of R 14 (25 59.972N, 081 44.564W). It’s not very impressive on the chart, but is beautifully protected by mangroves and shallows, has great holding, and there is plenty of room for two or three boats. IMHO it’s far superior to the commonly recommended spot in Factory Bay, with its sloppy mud poor holding. The downside is that there no easy dinghy access to shore or facilities. Also, there is some wave action from passing boats in the channel, but that all stops at dark, since those channel markers are not lighted. Was even able to get fair wifi from some source there.
Dan Stone
St. Pete

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Anchorage Listing For Johnson Bay Anchorage