44. Back-country – Bottle Key Anchorage
44. Back-country – Bottle Key Anchorage
Statute Mile:1147.5
Lat/Lon: 25 04.183 North/080 32.687 West
Location: on the waters well east of Bottle Key, northwest of flashing daybeacon #61
Minimum depth: 5 feet, but depths rise rapidly as the shores of Bottle Key are approached
Swing Room: unlimited Foul Weather Protection: poor
Rating: 
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Comments from Cruisers (2)
We anchored here on 4/2/13. We were at least a 1/4 of a mile or more off Bottle Key. No one else around. We were open to a 10 kt East wind that kicked up around 3AM, but we held firm. Very quiet. Mosquito’s were a bit hungry though.
Bottle Key is a beautiful wildlife anchorage. We anchored there on the way to Key West and without the faint lights of the mainland, you could be anywhere in the world. There were no other boats and we anchored in 6-8 feet of good sand and gravel. When you make your approach, stay clear of the shoal area to port when you’re coming from the intercoastal and work your way around to the other side of the key(Florida Bayside) and drop your hook. We caught a lot of small sharks and because it was blowy, the water was not clear. But, if you like seclusion and draw 5 ft or less, give it a try. Unfortunately, we didn’t visit Butternut since we were meeting friends in Key West, but it is equally as beautiful. I bet it is stunning during the windless days of Summer.