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