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
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:
Sure Claiborne,
Just south of the Microwave tower you will see a canal, next to that a hotel. Just south of the hotel is the Government center basin. Its on active captain at Tarpon Basin at 25 07 279 North/80 25 108 West
See you on the Waterways! Capt. Sterling MV Sterling Lady
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
My wife and I just spent 3 weeks anchored in Tarpon Basin at Key Largo. Nice well protected anchorage with good holding. We have been using the fixed dinghy dock at the Murray E. Nelson Government and Cultural Center (home of the Monroe County Planning Office) to access shore and though it can be a bit crowded at times it has worked out fine. However, yesterday when we returned from running errands we noticed signs had been posted prohibiting overnight parking in the parking lot without a county permit and signs on the dock prohibiting dinghies from tying up to the dock, trees or mooring within 25 feet. The prohibitions are to take effect April 15, 2019.
As far as I know, this was the only publicly accessible dinghy dock in Tarpon Basin. You can still dock by Sundowner's in Blackwater Sound, but that's a long dinghy ride from Tarpon Basin. In future years, we'll end up anchoring in Blackwater Sound and just not spend much time or money in Key Largo.
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:
14. 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 gets shallow near shore and if you don’t get close you get the wakes from the ICW 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
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