86. Jewfish Key South Side Anchorage
86. Jewfish Key South Side Anchorage
Statute Mile 85
Lat/Lon: near 27 26.215 North/082 40.799 West
Location: found on the tongue of charted 13-foot water stretching south into a cove hard by the village of Longbeach
Minimum Depth: 9-feet
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 50 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: very good
Rating: 
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Comments from Cruisers (4)
Near Longboat Key 27 degrees 26′ 12″N, 082 degrees 40′ 48.21″W. Of this two, I’d recommend this more than the other [Big McPherson Bayou] as there are restaurants, bars and a great beach for walking nearby. Good holding in sand with about 8′ at low tide. Watch for the tidal flow as it can get quirky with the change of tide.
Captain K
It’s been a couple of years since we’ve anchored in the waters adjacent to Mar Vista and Moore’s Stone Crab Restaurant. Same beautiful water, scenery, and protection … a wonderful waveless anchorage even in 20 knots of breeze. Still the same anchoring issues with the relatively deep bowl, numerous boats, and current … nothing that two anchors does not solve. Two items of note. There is a town ordinance now that prohibits tying off to the town dock … very convenient in the past. There is a small beach some 30 yds south of the town dock where dinks can be put ashore but it was convenient in the past not to get your shoes wet when going ashore (temps are in the 50’s today giving special meaning to “convenient”). A second item is that the upscale grocery that was within easy dinghy or walking distance is now permanently closed … a liquor store has replaced it … less useful for those looking to do a little restocking.
Enjoy!
Paul and Mary
S/V Merry Sea
Subject: Longboat Key Anchorage
Message: My copy of your book is in the hoist out back, so I don’t know if you warn of the risk of anchor dragging in high wind conditions – even for us seasoned boaters. If not, please do. The villian is the shape of the bottom – sort of like a bowl.
Bill Cromer
Subject: #42 re: Jewfish Key anchorage
Message: This is one of our favorite anchorages. We were there for two nights October 14-15, 2008 and again for one night on 10/20. The wind was strong out
of the east and we were concerned that holding would be a problem, but we did not have a problem at all. There is a place to come ashore with a dinghy at a
public boat ramp next to the Mar-Vista Restaurant. Also, there is a trash receptable which is always a plus for cruisers. We had nice dinner at Mar-Vista. Moore’s Crab House appeared to be open but didn’t have an occasion to dine there on this trip. We were sad that the little grocery store nearby had closed. Local law enforcement was friendly and waved as they went by. A great anchorage! Steve and Regina Smith, M/V Island Time
Steve and Regina Smith
The best entrance to these anchorages is quite close to Jewfish Key. I did quite a bit of sounding (in the dinghy) and discovered that the best water is almost up to marker 40. I found the deep channel (16 to 18 feet) extends to within about 50 feet of the south side of the island. The southern half of the potential entrance space between marker 39 and marker 40 is shallow and should be avoided.
Best regards,
Gene and Sue Fuller
Punta Gorda, Florida
Claiborne,
First, let me say that I am a huge fan of your books. I discovered them quite by accident years ago when I found your North Carolina cruising guide on board a used boat we purchased. We utilized the guide on our first trip down the ICW to Florida in 1999. I found the guide so helpful that we stopped to purchase the books covering Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. I’ve been hooked ever since and recently purchased the latest additions, visit your web site, and subscribe to your email updates.
This past week the Western Florida Guide was invaluable in finding a protected anchorage to wait out the big blow that passed through. We were headed to Progressive Marine in St. Petersburg for a haulout and bottom job (another tidbit we got from your guide). We got a late start from our home in Punta Gorda Isles and knew we’d have to lay over a day or two until the front passed and the winds subsided before crossing Tampa Bay. Your guide recommended the Jewfish Key anchorage at ICW mile 85. We anchored our 48′ trawler securely for two days with plenty of swinging room.
Thanks for all you do for the boating community. I look forward to seeing you at the Punta Gorda MTOA rendezvous in April.
Susan Parker