70. Englewood Beach Anchorage
70. Englewood Beach Anchorage
Statute Mile 43.5
Lat/Lon: near 26 55.191 North/082 21.268 West
Location: will be discovered on the broad ribbon of deep water that stretches southwest, northwest of flashing daybeacon #22 (immediately southeast of the 26-foot bascule bridge)
Minimum Depth: 6-7 feet
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 38 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: very good
Rating: 
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Comments from Cruisers (6)
Good afternoon,
I’d like to notify SSEC members of water depth SW of Tom Adams Bridge on the GICW.
Based on Dozier’s 2013 Waterway Guide, we anchored without problems mid-afternoon 12/17 approx 350 yds WSW of area that shows 7′ deep on the attached image. Our depth at anchorage was not less than 6.5′ thru the next Tide cycle.
We weighed anchor at 0845 12/18, approx 10 minutes after low tide. At 0850 on a heading of 025T , to come into the ICW, we ran aground on a mud bar in 3.5′ of water.
With another hour of incoming tide, the wake of a passing boat, and our main 75% out, we plowed out.
Note, I do NOT fault the WWGuide. It’s been spot-on with everything, & track out was nearly on top of track in. Just a heads up for all.
Best regards & Merry Christmas.
Patrick & Jolene Sharrett
Aboard Suite Jolene
We were just in that anchorage on 12-26/12-28 2013. When passing south under the Tom Adams bridge continue south about 400′ to N 26 55.974 W 082 21.117 (by the big sign) and then make your turn in towards the anchorage.
You will see the boats anchored along the small island to your port side, head in and pass close behind these boats on the channel side. Follow the channel around to the left as there is an unmarked shoal in the center of the small bay.
We draw 4′ 6″ and had plenty of depth at MLW.
This is a ‘No Wake’ zone, and a nice anchorage. It’s a bit crowded though. Short dinghy ride to a couple of restaurants and bars, or over to Stump Pass. If you anchor where you have a good view of the shoal in the middle of the small bay, that’s pretty entertaining as well.
Larry Annen
Beware shoaling south of T. Adams Bridge along the west edge of the ICW. To avoid this shoal [when entering the Englewood Beach anchorage] that has formed further north than shown on the charts, turn toward the moored boats immediately after clearing the bridge (if southbound) and head directly toward the moored boats/mangrove. Note the additional shoaling north of the mooring field.
Any boats carrying over 4 to 4 1/2 foot draft should avoid transitioning from the ICW at low tide – unless you have local knowledge. The best way to proceed from the bridge is to go directly toward and into the mooring field (idle speed, of course) from the bridge. Favor the south side after clearing the shoaling that parallels and is immediately adjacent to the ICW. Additional shoaling north of the mooring field extends from a point just west of the bridge almost to the docks on the western shore. If going to the White Elephant or to Chadwick Cove Marina, remain close to the docks on the western shore. Cutting the corner can put you hard aground.
Having said that, the anchorage is protected quite nicely in virtually all weather conditions.
Kindest Regards,
“FAIRWINDS”
This is a good anchorage, but since we have a heavy Gulfstar 39 sailboat with a 5′ draft, we want to point out a shoaling area along the western (toward the Gulf) side of the ICW that you have to clear before getting into the deeper water of the anchorage. We have bumped over this bar a couple times, but during higher tides we’ve had no problem. We tend to favor the bridge side of the sandbar before heading into the anchorage and have had fewer problems with access in our sailboat. There is a strong tidal current so set a good anchor with some scope and chain.
Mark Suby
Good info, but there is nowhere to go ashore except the restaurant. So you can’t tie up there and go to the beach. Dockage is available at Chadwick Cove Marina adjacent to the restaurant (The White Elephant).
Denny Botkin
There are no anchoring restrictions in lemon bay, except in the ICW. There is a good anchorage on the Lemon Bay side of Englewood Beach. To reach it, one bears right [southwest] after passing through [south of] the Tom Adams Bridge, leaving the ICW to your port. Stay in the middle of the channel, and head toward the moored and anchored boats off the mangrove island on your port side. Just past the moored boats there is a secure and safe anchorage. We live in North Port, and cruise Lemon Bay regularly.
Fair Winds,
Rick & Donna