18A. Smokehouse Bay – Marco Island Anchorage
Posted by Claiborne | Posted on 06-26-2008
Recent Reviews
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November 15, 2011 - Whole heartily endorse the anchorage in Smokehouse Bay on Marco (this is where the... read more
February 24, 2011 - I read your listing of Smokehouse Bay. And I was happy to see it. This is the best... read more
January 11, 2011 - GREAT GREAT ANCHORAGE. Chris, the dockmaster at Esplanade, is fantastic. Give him... read more
December 15, 2010 - Have to agree with the postings on Smokehouse Bay. We use this as our primary... read more
December 15, 2010 - We visited Smokehouse Bay in April. When entering after the Pass, you do need to hug... read more
Smokehouse Bay – Marco Island Anchorage
Lat/Lon: 25 57.416 North/081 43.818 West
Location: entrance channel cuts south from the Marco Island – Capri Pass channel between markers #12 and #14
Minimum Depth: 4 1/2 feet
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 48 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Very Good
Rating: 
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Centered on the Location of This Anchorage:
Whole heartily endorse the anchorage in Smokehouse Bay on Marco (this is where the Esplanada is. Dinghy under the bridge and Winn-Dixie has a dingy dock you can use. There is also a great Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays – we always plan to hit there on our way through.
Marty & Jerry Richardson
I read your listing of Smokehouse Bay. And I was happy to see it. This is the best anchorage on the west coast of Florida. The chart you have bears no resemblance to reality. I don’t know if there is a more recent one, I am going to have to look around, if you are interested. There are all new markers which were put in when the marina was built. The channel is very well marked. Coming in from the Marco River it typically 8+ feet. The only shallow spot is by the first turn to starboard which is 5+ or so feet at dead low tide. The water is the deepest hugging the pilings and seawall. After that spot there is 8+ feet by following the markers into Smokehouse Bay. Smokehouse Bay is deep 10+ feet. There is only one shallow spot which is behind the first green marker on the way into the bay. Even with that there is deep water between the marker and the seawall. The problem is just that relatively small spot of about 4+ feet. The bottom is mud, so make sure your anchor is caught.
Herman
I e-mailed Captain Herman back, and asked if the “small spot of 4+ foot water” was part of the entrance channel, and, if so, where it would be encountered. As you will see, this one shallow spot is NOT part of the entry cut, and is easily avoided!
The area in question is not in a channel but rather a small area in the west end of the anchorage and can be easily avoided.
Herman
GREAT GREAT ANCHORAGE.
Chris, the dockmaster at Esplanade, is fantastic. Give him the courtesy of checking in with him (we walked over from the dinghy dock at Winn Dixie) and he will treat you like gold. Fantastic guy.
It was mentioned to us that other cruising boats have “snuck” onto the dock early in the morning to take on water and leave their trash. The marina considers this trespassing, just a word to the wise. (besides if you ask the dockmaster he will probably let you do both of these things, just ask!)
One warning: We were warned by a helpful person on the dock that if you anchor here for more than 4 consecutive nights the shoreside neighbors will call the Coast Guard and tell them you have been there for a long time and must be pumping out in the water. Apparently the CG will then send one of their small boats to visit you and I assume, do a safety and head check. Not a big deal (kind of a waste of the CGs time I think) but good to know in the event in happens to you.
Esplanade will pump you out for free if you give them a call on VHF 16.
Nicole
Have to agree with the postings on Smokehouse Bay. We use this as our primary anchoring spot when at Marco Island. Restaurants at the Esplanade are great, along with being easy walking distances to supermarkets, West Marine and a load of restaurants. One nice thing is that you can dinghy under the bridge and then bear to the left and use the dinghy dock located at the Winn-Dixie to do your shopping. Easier than shopping by car !!!!
Jerry Richardson
We visited Smokehouse Bay in April. When entering after the Pass, you do need to hug the condo side of the channel and then follow the markers. Plenty of water and good holding. The marina is boater/dinghy friendly, which is a nice change from Marco River Marina and Factory Bay. I would recommend you do a courtesy checking with the dockmaster at Esplanade. They prefer the dinghies to be docked at certain spots. Smokehouse Bay is only about 10 minutes further in than Factory Bay and is well worth it.
S/V Two If By Sea