3. Little Shark River Southern Fork Anchorage
3. Little Shark River Southern Fork Anchorage
Lat/Lon: near 25 19.736 North/081 07.132 West
Location: lies southeast of unlighted daybeacon #69
Minimum Depth: 5 foot approach depths, but 9 foot depths in the anchorage
Swing Room: sufficient swinging room for vessels as large as 40 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Excellent, only very strong northwesterly winds should be a problem here
Rating: 
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Comments from Cruisers (7)
Recently enjoyed a wonderful 2-week cruise from Cape Coral, FL to Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, FL late Oct/early Nov. 2013. Anchored in Little Shark River off Red “4” and it was an incredible experience! Unbelievable fishing, dolphin feeding frenzy, and manatees everywhere enjoying the tidal feast! Offered the most incredible sunsets, brilliant star gazing and sunrises I have ever experienced. Winds were N so I can only guess they blew the mosquitoes away as we were prepared for them and only a few show up on our screens. Tidal swing is strong but a solid holding. Happiest thought I have had in a long time and I look forward to visiting and exploring the area when we have more time. Excellent anchorage if you can bear to be without electronic communication devices! Happy thought for me!
Glenda Libby
We couldn’t get out of the Little Shark River fast enough. We got a good hook, but the currents are swift and the tidal range is extreme. A catamaran that came in behind us had a lot of trouble getting an anchor to set due to a hard bottom. We set one anchor and used an anchor alarm, but probably should have set two because of the tidal current changes. The water is just plain nasty and make sure you have plenty of bug spray when the sun starts to set. Next time we’ll pass this one up unless weather dictates otherwise.
Swing Set
I wish we would have spent more time exploring the Everglades. We did anchor in Little Shark River, and enjoyed exploring in the dinghy.
We went up the mouth of the river, turned right at the T, and anchored below the first Island. Very nice spot!
Ken & Pat Goewey
When we anchored in Little Shark River, near the southeast shore between G”3″ and R”4″, the anchor was in ~7 feet of water at high tide. Strong SE wind predicted, so we put out plenty of scope. The next morning, when we got ready to leave, the anchor was in ~3 feet of water (low tide) and we draw ~4. Fortunately, that scope and the wind had us in deeper water. The tide didn’t get high enough for us to retrieve the anchor until after mid-day. We decided to re-anchor and enjoy the area for another day. I was used to 1-2 foot tides in the Gulf and didn’t pay attention.
The point is, don’t rely on charted depths and do check the tide predictions. There is plenty of water in Little Shark River, but not near the southeast bank at low tide.
Great anchorage!
Bill
I have not been to Little Shark River in 2 years, but I would say that going there is like a trip back to pre history. If you can get inside there is plenty of water and you can anchor on the sides of the channel. Bring bug repellant that can stop a horse, and screens that can stop the no seeums.
Richard A Bruning
I do not recall the exact lowest depths, but we draw 4.5 ft and were never close to being concerned in moderate conditions. I would not wish to run in/out on a low tide and running seas.
Regards,
Duane Ising
s/v Diva Di
36 Catalina
Spent three days anchored in Little Shark River in Everglades National Park with Bob and Stephanie aboard September Song and Rick and Lynnie aboard Rickshaw. Very remote area – it’s just us, the birds, the mangroves, and the river running about 4 knots. (No kayaking in that current.) Spectacular stars. We anchored upriver a bit away from where other boats typically anchor. It was remote enough to give us a tiny feel of unease. We saw the occasional fishing boat and a herd of teenage Outward Bound canoeists who were on the 14th day of a 20 day journey. Yikes! Bob and Stephanie led us on a dingy expedition. We explored some of the inner-reaches of the rivers and streams in this Everglades paradise. Did not see any alligators, but did see tons of birds.
Norm decided to try his luck fishing. He caught several small catfish with the squid from the freezer. (It’s there for bait – we don’t actually dine on squid.) He was trying to hook mangrove snapper, or river trout, or the little black shark that sister Joyce and Steve used to catch here. Released the catfish. Decided to try a different bait. Tried meatballs and pepperoni, but either the fish are vegetarian or they don’t like Italian food.
Norm Naughton
Aboard M/V Tide Hiker
Keep a close watch on your dog between Little Shark river and Flamingo if you stop….Gators!
Gerry
We always do keep a close watch on her. especially in areas like that. quicktrip to the beach by dinghy and a leash walk on the beach to do her
business. never runs free
Jay