The Mandalay Channel can be accessed from the Western Florida ICW, north of the high-rise Clearwater Beach Bridge. This is a passage that requires careful attention and caution. Once you are actually on the interior reaches of Mandalay Channel, depths improve, and youc an pick from any number of places to drop the hook.

You did not ask, but I will comment on the anchorages in the Mandalay Channel just north of the Clearwater Causeway Bridge. This is a really nice anchorage location. The entrance channel was well marked, easy to follow, and mostly quite deep. We saw one spot that was just under 7 feet on the way in (Tide was over 1 foot.) The one interesting difference from your guidebook and from the charts is that we did not find any shallow water near marker 14. We followed the official channel on the way in, but came back out well north of marker 14, with plenty of depth. I explored around marker 14 with a sounder and did not find much evidence of the purported central obstruction.
In any case this location was very nice. Almost unlimited room, reasonably well protected from directions other than southeast, quiet, and scenic.
I hope this information is of some interest and use to you.
Best regards,
Gene and Sue Fuller
Punta Gorda, Florida

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For The Mandalay Channel Anchorage

On 11/6/08, as part of a “Western Florida Wish List,” I posed the following question:

23. Possibly the most popular anchorage on Pine Island Sound is Pelican Bay. This body of water is accessed from the Waterway, just south of Boca Grande Pass. I have always found the entrance channel depths to be a bit thin at low water, possibly only 4 ½ feet. Those who have anchored in Pelican Bay recently, please give a report on depths, and what else you found here. Did you go ashore on Cayo Costa (at FL state park), and walk across to the beach? What services did you find in the park?

Responses follow:

We cruised into Pelican Bay to show our guests the anchorage. The entrance depths are in the four to five foot range and we saw similar readings approaching the Park Service docks. No comment on the park as we did not go ashore.
Doug Kendrick

Claiborne,
Several of us with 6 foot drafts anchor there regularly.  I’ve never had any trouble entering Pelican Bay.  Just stay close to the north beach where the sign is.  Now when you get in, 6+ feet at low tide is limited to a relatively small portion of the Bay, but still enough to accommodate all the boats I’ve ever seen there.  The bottom is very gradual in the anchorage area and rises toward the shores predictably.
Bob Hanners

With winter low tides, you could easily see 4.5′, but generally, you won’t find less than 5′ if you are careful.  The trick is looking at the chart and figuring out where the current comes through the entrance.  That’s where you will find the deepest water, and at the entrance, it is very close to shore.  Once in, 6-10 depths rule, though there is a small hump in the center, just east of the park dock.  The park has a new dock and you can tie up a small boat of dinghy to explore the park.  The Rangers want you to stay on the road if you go to the beach, but there is a wagon/trolley that makes the trip back and forth to the beach if you don’t want to walk.  The beach is great for shelling and just exploring for miles.  The park has some camping and picnic facilities on the beach.  There are latrines, etc. on the beach.
Jake Dye

Cayo Costa and Pelican Bay are fabulous. We went in keeping well to the starboard side of the channel and found no less than six feet. We went ashore and over to the Gulf beach. There were bathrooms and cold water showers for free. Also, there is a small store on the island with beverages and island souvenirs. Don’t bring any rubbish onto the island.The beach is seven miles of unspoiled tropical beauty. There are picnic pavilions for your use and a free shuttle if you choose not to walk to the beach. There is a $2 per person landing fee which is collected on an honor basis. What a bargain! There are also a few docks available on a first come basis for free, but they are only suitable for shallow draft (under three feet) vessels.
Bob Cormier

Subject: West Coast–Pelican Bay anchorage
Message: We have been anchored in Pelican Bay several times in the last month and found at least 5 1/2 feet at the enterance at dead low (very low do to NE winds). Stay very close to the sand bar on the north side.
Bob Sween

At low water, you can carry at least 5.5 ft if you know where to go. Ashore, the ranger station/state park has decent bathrooms, a drinking water fountain, a small museum, and a ranger station where you can buy ice. Hike across or take the crude tram to the beautiful beach on the gulf. There they have camp grounds, some small cabins, and bathrooms with showers, along with a water spigot. Each person pays $1 on the honor system to visit ashore.
Regards,
Duane Ising
s/v Diva Di
36 Catalina

We anchor in Pelican Bay numerous times per year. The entrance channel is actually plenty deep, around 7 feet at zero tide. However, the best water is relatively narrow, and it is VERY close to the entrance sign. We have found that it is best to approach from ICW marker 74 and aim to pass the sign board only 50 to 75 feet to the southern side. The depth gets quite a bit worse only 200 to 300 feet from the sign. As you make this “best” approach it appears that you will quickly end up on the beach. It is necessary to turn to follow the beach as you pass the sign, and continue on for a couple hundred yards. The water is actually 9 to 10 feet deep only 50 feet from the beach. After the short, but close run along the beach, head in the direction of the Cayo Costa dock and proceed to your favorite anchoring spot. It is important to avoid cutting the corner outside of the entrance sign. There is a shoal just north of the line from the sign to ICW marker 74.
There was a major rearrangement of sand in this area in the early part of 2008. The beach has changed a lot (smaller and shorter), and the little lagoon behind the entry beach has opened up. The inlet near the park dock, where the park service boats used to tie up, was completely closed by a newly formed sand bar.
Best regards,
Gene and Sue Fuller
Punta Gorda, Florida

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Pelican Bay Outer Anchorage

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Pelican Bay Park Service Dock Anchorage

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Pelican Bay – Punta Blanca Island Anchroage

On 11/6/08, as part of a “Western Florida Wish List,” I posed the following question:

26. From northern Pine Island Sound, another huge body of water known as Charlotte Harbor sweeps to the north, northwest. The first facility encountered on Charlotte Harbor is Burnt Store Marina. This is a huge complex. Who can comment on a recent visit to Burnt Store? If possible, please also comment on the restaurant you found here.

Responses follow:

Not much has changed in the past year or so. It has a great fuel dock and pump-out station with excellent employees. We dine at the restaurant by boat and car and find the food generally good, but not superb. It offers a pretty environment for viewing the many docked boats.
Regards,
Duane Ising
s/v Diva Di
36 Catalina

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Burnt Store Marina

On 11/6/08, as part of a “Western Florida Wish List,” I posed the following quesiton:

4. Indian Key sits astride one of only two marked channels in the Ten Thousand Islands. This is the passage to Everglades City (see below). Who has anchored off Indian Key in 2008. What did you find, and what depths did you observe? Were you disturbed by commercial fishing traffic from Everglades City?

Responses follow:

We anchored there in mid-Jun 2008 and found shallow depths close to the Key but adequate depths (6 ft) not too far offshore. Contrary to your guide, however, we did not find anything interesting here at all. We saw/heard commercial traffic very early but had anchored out of their path and they were not an issue.
Regards,
Duane Ising
s/v Diva Di
36 Catalina

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For The Indian Key Anchorage

On 11/06/08, as part of a "Western Florida Wish List," I posed the following question:

10. Just about everyone knows that Marco Island has been the center of an anchoring controversy. Who has anchored near Marco recently? Were you hassled by the local water cops?

Responses follow:

Subject: Marco Island Factory Bay and smokehouse Bay
Message: This summer I spent several overnights in both these locations. At no time was I approached by any Water Police or sheriff or Conservation police in
either location. I had thought since the big fuss in Smoklehouse Bay+ over anchoring I might be boarded and asked to look at my holding tank and discharge
valves but it never happened. The dockmaster at Smokehouse bay said they were getting quite a few anchorage vessels on weekends and reported no problems at
that time. Also we saw a few other boats anchoring in Factory bay for overnights. Both anchorages are good protection and good holding ground. Smokehouse bay had a couple good resturants you can dingy into as does Factory Bay.
Terry Forshier

We anchored one night just off the Snook Inn and had an enjoyable experience with no hassles.
Regards,
Duane Ising
s/v Diva Di
36 Catalina

On 11/6/08, as part of a “Western Florida Wish List,” I posed the following question:

2. Without a doubt, the southernmost quality anchorage (really a set of anchorages) on the WF coastline, reside on Little Shark River. Who has visited here lately, and what did you find? What minimum, low water entrance depths near marker #1 did you observe? Where did you anchor on Little Shark River, and would you recommend this spot to others?

Responses follow:

I have not been to Little Shark River in 2 years, but I would say that going there is like a trip back to pre history. If you can get inside there is plenty of water and you can anchor on the sides of the channel. Bring bug repellant that can stop a horse, and screens that can stop the no seeums.
Richard A Bruning

I do not recall the exact lowest depths, but we draw 4.5 ft and were never close to being concerned in moderate conditions. I would not wish to run in/out on a low tide and running seas.
Regards,
Duane Ising
s/v Diva Di
36 Catalina

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Geographic Sub-category That Shows All Little Shark River Anchorages