32. Tarpon Basin Northern Anchorage
32. Tarpon Basin Northern Anchorage
Statute Mile:1139.5
Lat/Lon: 25 07.856 North/080 25.954 West
Location: on the waters of Tarpon Bay, north of unlighted daybeacon #48A and west of flashing daybeacon #48
Minimum depth: 6 to 7 feet
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 45 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: Good
Waste Pump-out Availability: Monroe County provides a free pump-out boat at Tarpon Basin anchorage. It services the area from North Key Largo to Matecumbe Bight. Call (305)747-2388 or Ch-9. For more information go to
http://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/index.aspx?NID=442
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Comments from Cruisers (8)
On our cruise North to Jekyll Island from Marathon we used several anchorages and found some interesting free city docks. Tarpon Basin is a good stop over anchorage with a free dingy dock. Going North exit the creek and head for marker R48. Turn in to basin before R48A stay near north side of basin. Close to shore we found 5-7 ft. On in towards anchored boats we found 7-9 ft and stayed to the north of city docks.
Sonny Reeves
When entering Tarpon Basin from the north it is important to hug the channel along the red markers as the channel turrns sw and then west. There are no green markers and we wandered into very shallow water just se of the channel near red “46”as it turns. We wound up anchoring out on the north side of red 48A in 8 feet with good holding.
There’s no pump out boat this season [2011].
Don and Mango
This is a good spot…..just use a plow and get a good set before your sundowner.
Dan
A pump-out boat comes to Tarpon Basin once a week. They had some problems with the boat March 2009, but were supposed to go by every thursday. Try them on Ch 16.
Stein A. Holtbakk
We used the northern anchorage last May for several days due to weather. Good protection and holding. Also used the docks at the government facility for our dinghy.
No problems.
Subject: Tarpon Basin
Cruising News: Seems the newly constructed Government center in Tarpon Basin, bayside Key Largo, is allowing cruisers to use the docks for their dinghys for shore access.
THis is close to Publix and KLI hardware Store, and Kmart.
Let’s hope they continue to allow this.
Capt. Sterling
Subject: Dinghy Dock Key Largo
Cruising News: The new Government center on Tarpon Basin is open and some cruisers have been using the docks for
shore access! Don’t know if it’s official yet, however, it is a place to go ashore bayside Key Largo in Tarpon Basin, walkable to the Hardware store (north) and Pulix Groceries (south) Will keep you informed of any changes I hear about this.
Capt. Sterling
Hi, Claiborne,
We just negotiated our way into Tarpon Basin, uneventfully, thanks to your explicit directions in your guide. We’re anchored at almost the exact coordinates that you gave near the microwave tower. I’ve called 5 different city/county phone numbers trying to find where the dinghy dock is at the new government building and nobody has a clue. Google mapped the building and it’s inland on the highway and that’s a long way to drag a dink. We’re really eager to go ashore and hope you or Capt. Sterling can offer some help.
Many thanks,
Laura Bender
Sure Claiborne,
Just south of the Microwave tower you will see a canal, next to that a hotel. Just south of the hotel is the Government center basin. Its on active captain at Tarpon Basin at 25 07 279 North/80 25 108 West
See you on the Waterways!
Capt. Sterling
MV Sterling Lady
Hi, Claiborne
I emailed Capt. Sterling, also, and he responded right away with an email and phone call. He told us about a mangrove tunnel nearby that is a dinghy or kayak trip. We’re looking forward to that—he said it’s magnificent. The dinghy dock’s right under our nose. Am attaching a picture because I thought it was a firefighter training tower. On one side is a dolphin rehab and the other, a hotel. It’s about a ½ mile walk south to a strip center with numerous retail-Publix, Radio Shack, Kmart, Payless Shoes, Bealls, Dollar General, Quizno’s, and even the public library.
Thanks for all your help.
Laura Bender