This Florida Keys Inside Route/ICW anchorage features good shelter from northern, northeastern and northwestern winds. From Captain Ron’s report below, sounds like the bottom could make for a messy anchor up procedure.

We hid here once from a strong northerly, but the bottom is all mud. Fortunately, if you drag anchor, you will drag into clean water and eventually sand. If I were caught in Sunset Cove in a pinch I would still use it. But, the cleanup is something else.
Ron

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For The Buttonwood Sound’“Northeastern Anchorage

This anchorage lies just off the Waterway’s run through Buttonwood Sound. Interesting that Captain Ron notes he does not see as many boats anchored here as in times past. I remember this anchorage as being extremely popular. I suspect that one reason for the fall-off is that dinghy landing is now considerably more difficult than in times past. Still, Ron seems to be saying that dinghying ashore is still a possibility, probably at “Snooks” (see below)!

This has always been one of our favorite anchorages on the inside passage. In the middle to late 90’s it was often frequented by cruisers. In the last ten years, you hardly see a soul other than some local boats. Snooks has a nice palapa bar and a decent restaurant which is a nice respite if you’ve roughed it all the way from Miami. You have access to shopping, jerry can gasoline, and a drug store. Look for the patches of sand between the grass and drop your hook in 8-10 feet of water. You can get fairly close to shore if you want but the breeze is better further out. Good holding
Ron

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For The Buttonwood Sound’“Sunset Cove Anchorage

Mariners piloting craft that draw LESS THAN 5 feet have a whole host of what might be described as “wilderness anchorages” available off the ICW/Inside route between Buttonwood Sound and the Waterway’s intersection with northern Tavernier Creek. Be SURE to have a well functioning chart plotter aboard before trying this, and be aware that there is the possibility of keel meeting up with bottom. If you can overcome these limitations, be ready for an evening you won’t soon forget!

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.
Ron

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For The Back-country ‘“ Bottle Key Anchorage

There are three (at least) anchorages available in Tarpon Basin, just south of Blackwater Sound, on the Florida Keys inside/ICW passage. The “Government Center” Captain Sterling speaks of below is located at the rear of Tarpon Basin. Check out an earlier posting here on the Cruisers’ Net for more info on this facility (http://www.CrusiersNet.net/dinghy-dockage-now-available-at-tarpon-basin-anchorage). Note that in addition to the waste pump-out boat, cruisers will also discover a dinghy dock at the Government Center.
Sound like, after reading Captain Sterling’s note below, that with a phone call the pump-out boat skipper will service you, even if you are anchored a bit farther way than Tarpon Basin. Anyone know what range of waters this vessels serves? If so, please share that info by clicking the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below!

Subject: pump out boat
Cruising News: Key Largo\’s pump out boat is docked at the Government Center at mm 1140 on the icw in Tarpon Basin.
the phone number for this service is 305-747-2388.
Give em a call and he will come to your boat for your pump out.
This Government center is also a place to dock your dinky for shopping and supplies. Publix is about a mile south, kli hardware is closer to the north, west marine is a mile and three quarters north.
Captain Sterling

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Tarpon Basin Northern Anchorage

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Tarpon Basin Southern Anchorage

Click Here To View the Floridas Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Tarpon Basin Interior Anchroage

Tarpon Basin sits along the Florida Keys Inside – ICW route, just south of Blackwater Sound. There are several good places to drop the hook in Tarpon Basin. An earlier listing here on the Cruisers’ Net relates the location of a recently available dinghy dock on these waters.

We anchored here March 10. It was easy to get in following the curve of `no wake’ markers that lead to the anchorage. Nice quiet spot. Didn’t go ashore but would be interested directions to the `mangrove tunnel’ dinghy side trip.
Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE)

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For Tarpon Basin Interior Anchorage

Click Here To View An Earlier Posting Concerning the Presence of a Dinghy Dock in Tarpon Basin

There was an earlier posting here on the Cruisers’ Net about dinghy dockage which has recently become available on the waters of Tarpon Basin at the Government Center (/dinghy-dockage-now-available-at-tarpon-basin-anchorage). Buttonwood Sound, the subject of the Captain Trachtenberg’s message, lies a bit farther south on the Florida Keys Inside/ICW/Florida Bay route.
The anchorage referred to below is termed the “Buttonwood Sound’“Sunset Cove Anchorage” in the Net’s “Florida Keys Anchorage Directory.”

We usually use the dinghy dock at Snooks restaurant/bar, which is on Buttonwood Sound, between red 54 and green 55. The approximate coordinates of the anchorage are 25 5.7 N – 80 26.733 W. The dock is available to customers if you want to eat or have some drinks (latter recommended, former … not so much). Otherwise there’s a (sort of) boat ramp directly to the right of the dinghy dock where you can tie up to the mangroves and walk in. Nice central location.
Adam
“Sea Monkey”
Miami, Florida

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For The Buttonwood Sound’“Sunset Cove Anchorage

There are actually several good anchor down spots in Tarpon Basin (see links below). This body of water is traversed by the Florida Keys Inside Route (ICW), southwest of Blackwater Sound. Now, we hear from Captain Sterling below, that dinghy dockage may well be available here. That’s excellent news as dinghy access is becoming an endangered species in the Florida Keys

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

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

The dinghy dock you are referring to is behind the new government center in Key Largo.
All addresses in the Keys are by reference to Mile Marker (land) or Statue Mile (water). In this case, the land address is approximately MM 102, and the SM is 1139.
Once you leave Biscayne Bay, you pass through Card Sound, then Barnes Sound, and all of the subsequent bodies of water have a specific name that you will see on your chart or guide. The dock you are looking for is in Tarpon Basin, entered from Blackwater Sound as you pass through Dusenbury Cut. Depths outside the channel are shallow, so be sure you navigate carefully.
The government building is yellow and you should have no trouble locating it.
Martin I. Veiner &
Margaret Rogers Shearon

There’s no pump out boat this season [2011].
Don and Mango

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Tarpon Basin Northern Anchorage

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Tarpon Basin Southern Anchorage

Click Here To View the Floridas Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Tarpon Basin Interior Anchroage

Tarpon Basin Dinghy Dock at Government Center

Tarpon Basin Waste Pump-Out Boat

Well, while we usually use the “Tarpon Basin Interior Anchorage,” if the weather is cooperative enough to make the basin’s “Northern Anchorage” comfortable, it’s certainly easy to enter and close to the Waterway.

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.
David S. Power

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

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For Tarpon Basin, Northern Anchorage

There are any number of good anchorages off the Inside/ICW route in Tarpon Basin. So, it’s really great that it looks as if a dinghy dock is now available here. If anyone hears that this dock has become “official” ( see below), PLEASE e-mail me at CruisingWriter@CruisersNet.net.

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

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

Soon after posting the message above, I received the note below from Admiral Laua:

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

So, I forwarded Laura’s note to Capt. Sterling, and he soon replied:

And, a return message from Admiral Laura:

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

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Achorage Directory Listing For Tarpon Basin Northern Anchorage

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Tarpon Basin Southern Anchorage

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Tarpon Basin Interior Anchorage

Captain Pascal's posting below was actually in response to a question I had asked in my "Florida Keys Wish List" about whether others had found shallow water at the intersection of the Inside Route/ICW and Tavernier Creek. Pascal details some other skinny spots to watch out for!

It's also a little skinny (5' MLW) at the entrance to dusenberry, bet 40 and 41, and further down near 58, also 5' MLW). remember that in florida bay water level can be lower when windy.
Pascal

On 12/4/08, as part of a “Florida Keys Wish List,” I posed the following question:

Who has anchored in Sunset Cove, off Buttonwood Sound (near Statute Mile 1143)? Did you find yourself amidst a whole collection of fellow cruising craft? Did you find anywhere to land a dinghy ashore?

Responses follow:

Sunset Cove Weʼve anchored there often. It is rarely crowded. The sailing club no longer welcomes cruisers, but there are a few local restaurants with docks to tie up to. We just make sure to buy a beer at the bar to compensate and so far there has been no problem. Unfortunately, the Cuban market has closed, but Walgreens has some basic supplies.
Bob and Toni Dorman

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Sunset Cove