Photo of the Week – Manatee River
Taken on Manatee River near mouth of river into Tampa Bay – Winston Fowler
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Praise for Gulfport Municipal Marina, Boca Ciega Bay, near GICW Statute Mile 115
These good words for Gulfport Municipal Marina were found on the AGLCA Forum. A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Gulfport Municipal Marina has recently undergone renovations and also has a nearby mooring field. The marina and harbor are found on the northern shores of Boca Ciega Bay and are easily accessible from the Western Florida ICW, just north of Tampa Bay.
We left our boat for a month around Thanksgiving at Gulfport Municipal Marina. We also spent several days there on either side of our trip home. We had a great time in the town and were well taken care of at the marina. We walked into town a couple of times. There is also a free taxi service, the Swoop Taxi. You just tip them. This is a quirky little town with a lovely independent spirit.
Martha and George Alexander
Aunt AggieClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gulfport Municipal Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gulfport Anchorage/Mooring Field
Comments from Cruisers (2)
Good Words for Gulfport, FL on Boca Ciega Bay, near GICW Statute Mile 115
Gulfport Municipal Marina, of the newest SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS, has recently undergone renovations and is found on the northern shores of Boca Ciega Bay. The marina is easily accessible from the Western Florida ICW, just north of Tampa Bay. Gulfport also has a mooring field, which has been in the news lately because of a now infamous green trawler, see /?p=146123. Our thanks to Denis Frain for this wonderful review which comes to us from the AGLCA Forum.
We’ve been called funky, eclectic, artsy, charming, welcoming, warm, and yes, even weird. We are a small town, but we have a big heart. It’s easy to make yourself at home here. Visit us and we think you’ll agree.
All of the businesses in our waterfront village are independently owned and operated.
Overnight accommodations in the village are also of the unique variety, offered by two independent venues with great attention to Gulfport-style hospitality.
Individually furnished rooms and suites are offered with their own identity, such as the Marrakech or Serengeti at the Peninsula Inn, and the Jamaica or Aruba at the Sea Breeze Manor. Some locals also offer cottages or guest apartments for rent on an independent basis.
No chain stores here. No parking meters. Just small-town warmth and people as friendly and welcoming as they come. Our village offers the best of “Old Florida” charm. Picture old oaks draped in Spanish moss, brick-paved
streets, small colorful cottages, and light shimmering on the Bay. A concentration of more than a dozen restaurants in the village has made Gulfport a premier dining destination.
A wide variety of foods in all price ranges is represented within just a few blocks, from sandwiches and burgers to fine dining. Live entertainment is featured in several locations throughout the week.There’s always something going on here.
Visit a selection of artists and crafters, from breathtaking to funky, on the first Friday and third Saturday of each month for our popular Art Walk. Beach Boulevard’s trees are lit up, shops and restaurants are open late,
visitors and locals mingle on the street, and that “only-in-Gulfport” energy ebbs high.
Gulfport is conveniently located to many other destinations in the area.
Gulf Beaches and downtown St. Petersburg are minutes away. You can travel to Tampa, Ybor City and Busch Gardens in a half-hour, and a drive to or from Orlando is about two hours. Our Municipal Marina has transient facilities, fuel, pump-out, free wifi and is a well protected Harbor.
Please contact Denis Frain CMM, Director of Marina Operations @
727-893-1071 or dfrain@mygulfport.us. Visit us @ http://www.mygulfport.usClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gulfport Municipal Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gulfport Anchorage/Mooring Field
Comments from Cruisers (1)
- Reply to margo
You are so very right, Denis. When I returned from living in the Caribbean, and I found this little jewel, it felt like I never left the boating/cruising life. I love it here. Everybody can contribute to this area in so many ways….playing a role in helping with our multiple festivals, street fairs, and such worthy events such as Get Rescued, coming up on Feb. 28th. Something for everyone can be found here. And you’ll always find yourself among neighbors. Thanks for all you do.
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Report from Glover Bight Anchorage, Okeechobee Waterway Statute Mile 147
Glover Bight Anchorage lies on the northeasterly reaches of Glover Bight, northeast of unlighted daybeacon #9 near the western end of the Okeechobee Waterway.
Good holding in this anchorage, but stay out of the SE side as others have mentioned. In the far East corner, where the bight narrows, there is a dock and gazebo. This is a Cape Coral city park with a nice boardwalk. From the end of the boardwalk where it joins the road is 2 miles to Publix, a nice jaunt for avid walkers like us or your collapsible bicicyle. Its a very high step to get out at the dock. Enjoy the usually lame music from the Westin on the weekends!
ChrisClick Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Glover Bight
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Glover Bight
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Report on Everglades National Park Marina in Flamingo, West Florida
Flamingo Marina is part of the Cape Sable Everglades National Park Service and is located in Flamingo, FL. However, because of the reported severe shoaling in the entrance channel, this facility is not recommended by the SSECN. The report below comes to us from the AGLCA Forum and is a bit more positive than SSECN’s last report in January of 2014, /?p=131878. The contact number for the Marina is 239-695-3101. If you have navigated the entrance channel recently, please send us a report on depths found there.
At the bottom of Florida is the 1.5 million sq/mi Everglades National Park. Many people anchor at the Shark River on their way from Marco (and points North) and the Keys. The Park has a marina at Flamingo that would make a good alternative. There was not any current information about the marina, rather than rely on “Looper Folklore”, on 27 January 2015 I drove to Flamingo and spoke to “Flamingo Rick” the marina manager.
The channel from the west coast is well marked and has a minimum of 6′ of water. Rick says there is a 45′ boat that comes in about every other week without a problem. The largest boat was a 70′. As always, stay between
the markers. When you come into the marina, the basin is on the Port Side. You will find gators sunning themselves on the Starboard side bank.
There are 32 slips in the marina. Water depth is min of 5.5 at mean low tide (there is a 3′ tide swing). 5 of the slips are wall ties, there are 6 floating docks that will hold a 30-40′ boat. There is also a T head that would hold a 40′ cat. Each slip has one 30amp marine outlet, and one 20amp house outlet and water.
Diesel fuel was $4.05 and gas was $5.15 the day I was there.
Cost is $2/ft/night, that includes electric, a pump out and water.
There are cold showers at $3 each. Solar showers at $2 each are 1/4 mile away at the camp ground. No laundry.
There is a pretty well stocked store with small boat parts, food, beer, fishing gear, etc. For being in a remote location they had pretty decent prices. (Beer was only $1 more a 12 pack than what I pay in Tavernier.)
A cafe is on site, open from 11-7 November – April. It’s the normal burgers, chicken sandwiches, etc.
There are guide tours of the “backwater” and Florida Bay areas at $30 per person for a 90 minute tour.
There is a canal from the Marina into Coot Bay. You will need to portage your dink / kayak / canoe past the dam (“The Plug”) to get into the Canal.
Since the park is pretty flat you can bike around. Note that the park is huge, it’s a 30 mile ride from Flamingo to the main gate. Based on the trailers in the parking lot the big usage is to launch / retrieve boats that fish in the Bay.
“Flamingo Rick”‘s personal cell phone is 239-595-9927. Due to some level of infighting between the NPS and the Marina, marina staff does not answer the NPS land line. Cell coverage is very spotty, only ATT seemed to work.
This is a place that I would stay at. It’s clean, has OK facilities, good location to see part of the park.
Foster and SusanClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Flamingo Marina
Comments from Cruisers (2)
1/29 Update on the Sunken Vessel in Gulfport Mooring Field, Boca Ciega Bay, near GICW Statute Mile 115
Skipper Burnham has sent a photo of the white buoy marking the sunken vessel and the green trawler moored nearby in the hopes of helping visitors to Gulfport mooring field avoid the hazard. See /?p=145996.
As you can see from the photo, the white buoy (with the cormorant atop) marking the sunken vessel is VERY small and could, as Skipper Burnham has been warning, easily be missed, even in daylight hours!Larry,
I sailed out to the sunken power boat today and took a picture of the light green steel hulled trawler and the small white buoy that marks the hazard.
Today the wind was blowing from the west and I was surprised to see the sunken hulk was north of the white buoy or just to the right of the buoy in the photo.
The buoy had been on the east end of the wreck and today it is sitting on the south side of it.
The light green trawler is seldom off its mooring so it probably makes a better hazard marker than the tiny white buoy until this starts showing up on the chart plotter updates.
Attached is a photo of the buoy and the trawler…
David Burnham
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gulfport Anchorage/Mooring Field
Comments from Cruisers (2)
- Reply to samantha
As of early this morning (1/29/2015), the green steel trawler is not moored out by the casino. It was moved up against the sea wall in front of the Coast Guard Auxiliary heading into the GP Marina. Make sure to use prior information regarding the location of the sunken boat that was near this vessel.
- Reply to David
Larry, I sailed over to check on the sunken powerboat today and couldn’t see the small white marker buoy because a large brown pelican was using it as a perch, so it was barely visible above the water until the bird took flight. The light green trawler has moved north, closer to shore, and is no longer moored near the wreck making this even more of a hazard as the 3 foot keel on my sailboat had no problem lying against the wreckage until the breeze blew me off of it.
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Good Words for Uncle Henry’s Marina, GICW Statute Mile 34
Uncle Henry’s Marina is found at the terminus of the long, southward-flowing channel that cuts off from the West Florida Waterway between the old railway span and the Gasparilla Island causeway bridge.
Arrived with a boat club and 11 boats of various types and sizes. Friendly staff, excellent restrooms and showers. Nearby restaurant (Patricks Thai ) was excellent as well. Convenience store within walking, however if you want to do more shopping a golf cart will be necessary. Beaches within dinghy ride distance with good shelling. We will be back.
Jim MerrittClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Uncle Henry’s Marina
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New Docks at Mar Vista Restaurant, Jewfish Key Anchorage, Western Florida Waterway Statute Mile 85
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Pub on Longbeach, is just to the west of the Jewfish Key South Anchorage off northern Sarasota Bay. Our thanks to Skipper Fowler for the photos.
Larry – some new docks at Mar Vista restaurant at the anchorage behind Jewfish Key, near Longboat Pass.
Winston Fowler
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jewfish Key South Anchorage
Comments from Cruisers (1)
- Reply to Andrew
never been to the mar vista restaurant but it seems like a nice place to eat!
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Two Manatee River Anchorages, De Soto Point and Snead Island off Tampa Bay
De Soto Point Anchorage is found in the pocket of 6-foot waters just inside the shelter of De Soto Point, south and east of flashing daybeacon #12. Snead Island Anchorage lies along the broad band of deep water northeast of unlighted daybeacon #11. Our thanks to Skipper Laura for this report.
This is an excellent anchorage and very popular with locals due to the nice beach and swimming area at the park. Weekends are crowded but it quiets down at night. DeSoto memorial park is worth visiting as well with a free museum and self guided walking tour. If the wind is blowing out of the northeast you could shoot across the way over to Emerson Point [Snead Island] which is another great anchorage with another great park to visit. No provisions nearby but you could head up river to nearby bradenton or palmetto and grocery is nearby via a cab (Publix).
LauraClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of De Soto Point
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Snead Island
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Report on Steinhatchee River, Western Florida Big Bend Region
This report by good friends, Captains Baier and Landry, comes to us from the AGLCA Forum. As is usual with Big Bend Rivers, the Steinhatchee entrance channel is a long, drawn-out affair, from the deeper Gulf waters. It is well marked and perhaps the deepest of the Big Bend river channels. A third choice of marinas, but with only 4ft depth, is Gulfstream Marina located on the Steinhatchee’s southerly banks just upstream from Sea Hag Marina.
We’ve been in and out of the Steinhatchee and you should not have any problem as long as you pay attention and stay inside the channel markers. There are two marinas, Sea Hag which is before the bridge and River Haven which will require being able to clear the 25 foot bridge to access. We’re heading there as soon as the weather opens up. We’re currently in Carrabelle.
Chuck Baier and Susan LandryClick Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Sea Hag Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Sea Hag Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of River Haven Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gulfstream Marina
Comments from Cruisers (1)
- Reply to Eric
What did you find the depths in the Steinhatchee River to be (up to Sea Hag Marina?
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A Good Night in Otter-Lido Key Anchorage, near GICW Statute Mile 73, Sarasota, FL
Otter-Lido Key Anchorage is found off the approach channel leading from Big Sarasota Pass to the Sarasota Yacht Club and west of unlighted daybeacon #7.
We anchored here last night and it was very nice. It’s a nice deep anchorage and you can get close to mangroves with out being in the backyards of the beautiful homes. No other boats were here, but loads of kayakers and paddle boards during the daytime. Oh and one tourist boat with palm trees on top cruised thru late afternoon. They took our pic, I took theirs too. We dinghied over to concrete bridge (2nd one) which puts you right on St Armands square which had tons of restaurants and shopping. There is a nice beach nearby as well. Great out of the way spot for a night or two.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Otter-Lido Key Anchorage
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Report on Peekins Ranch Cove Anchorage, GICW Statute Mile 32
Peekins Ranch Cove anchorage lies west of flashing daybeacon #13 near Gulf Waterway Mile 32.
I would add that there is also little protection from wave action when wind is from the south or south east. Wind generated waves wrap around the small peninsula that appears to offer protection from the south.
Rick ParishClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Peekins Ranch Cove Anchorage
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Good Words for Gulfport Municipal Marina, Gulfport, FL. Western FL Statute Mile 115.5
Skipper Burnham brings local knowledge to your visit to Gulfport with his good words for the City Marina and the electric vehicle, Swoop. The city marina resides on the northern shores of Boca Ciega Bay and is easily accessible from the Western Florida ICW, just north of Tampa Bay.
The EndeavourCat is a good choice for the shallows of the Tampa Bay area. If cruising to Gulfport to anchor out instead of using the Gulfport City Marina, watch for the light green hulled trawler south of the Gulfport Pier as the sunken powerboat [see /?p=146123] is lying just to the east of where the trawler is moored. However, the Gulfport City Marina is a good choice if you are not bringing your dinghy as there is an electric vehicle service [Swoop] that will shuttle you around Gulfport. http://www.theswoopride.com/locations/
David BurnhamClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gulfport Municipal Marina
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Current Can be Swift at Fort Myers Beach Fixed Bridge, Matanzas Pass, West Florida
A phone call to the Dockmaster at Moss Marine confirms that there is indeed a swift current through the channel southeast of Matanzas Pass at Fort Myers Beach. Vessels often have docking issues in the east-west slips at Moss Marine during the periods of full tide flow. The Dockmaster estimates times of up to 10knts of current!
Would like to know the speed of the current at that location. Can’t seem to find that info anywhere
Ray MacMillanClick Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Moss Marine
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Shoaling at Entrance to Smokehouse Bay – Marco Island Anchorage, Marco Island, Southwest Florida
Smokehouse Bay lies in the heart of northern Marco Island. This fortunate body of water plays host to Esplanade Marina and a good anchorage. Collier Creek is its entrance channel which leaves the Marco Island-to-Naples waterway west of marker #14. Our thanks to our friends, Chuck Baier and Susan Landry, for this report. For a report of depths in the anchorage, see /?p=139969
Shoaling at the Collier Creek entrance, Marco Island, may have an affect on the popular anchorage at Smokehouse Bay for locals and cruisers alike.
Chuck Baier and Susan Landry
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More Good Words for Snead Island Boat Works and Marina, Manatee River, Tampa Bay, Western Florida Coast
Snead Island Boat Works and Marina, Palmetto, FL, is located on McKay Point in the Manatee River off Tampa Bay. 941-722-4450
We keep our small fishing/pleasure boat in a slip at the marina. We recently requested the bottom to be painted in a text message. Within 24 hours we were contacted and the boat had already been pulled and put up on land for the work to begin. The call was a courtesy to ask what color we would like. Professional, courteous and prompt. Highly recommend.
Richard Yrabedrahttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Snead-Island-Boat-Works-Inc/118137701580521
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Snead Island Boat Works
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Information Requested on Ringling Bridge, Sarasota, GICW Statute Mile 73.5
Ringling Bridge crosses the West Florida Waterway at Statute Mile 73.5, northwest of flashing daybeacon #10, connecting Lido Key and Sarasota. If you can offer advice to Skipper Verheijen, let us hear from you.
I was searching, but could not find any local knowledge around the bridge height in Sarasota (Ringling). The charts indicate 65′, but I wonder if that is a “high” or “low” 65′ and if there are observations of the bridge marker at MLLW.
Thanks,
Pat VerheijenClick Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Ringling Bridge
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of
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Cape Coral Cruise Club Visits Fishermen’s Village, Punta Gorda, Florida West Coast
This fine group of boaters, made up of overnight cruisers in the Cape Coral area, is savvy enough to visit one fine marina, Fishersmen’s Village Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! on a recent cruise. For a calendar of events at Fishermen’s Village, go to: /?p=145129
Docktails at Fishermen’s Village Marina
Captain’s Table at Fishermen’s Village
Frozen T Shirts
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fishermen’s Village
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Longboat Pass Bridge Re-Opened to Marine Traffic, Longboat Key, West Florida
With a closed vertical clearance of 17ft, Longboat Pass Bridge crosses Longboat Pass which separates Longbeach and Bradenton Beach, south of Tampa Bay near Statute Mile 85. Our thanks to John Wheeler for this article by Rick Catlin in the Island Reporter.
Longboat Pass Bridge open to boat traffic
The Florida Department of Transportation said the Longboat Pass Bridge is now able to handle opening the bascule for boat traffic.
The bascule had been closed to some marine traffic since Oct. 24, when the bascule locked in the down position.
DOT spokesperson Robin Stublen said the bascule reopened for tall-masted boat traffic around noon Oct. 30, but he had no further information on why the bascule became stuck.
`The bridge is now open to all marine traffic,’ he said.
`We have no timeline for further repairs as engineers are reviewing plans at this time.’
Engineers working on the bascule found a 3.95-inch gap between the draw and the roadway, but have yet to determine a cause for the gap.– See more at: http://www.islander.org/2014/11/longboat-pass-bridge-open-to-boat-traffic/#sthash.AR0lEcAR.dpuf
And the Local Notice concerning the re-opening:
FLORIDA ‘“ WEST COAST ‘“ LONGBOAT PASS: Bridge Update.
The Longboat Pass Bridge across Longboat Pass, Longboat, Manatee County, Florida has been repaired and is fully operational. Both the Longboat Pass and New Pass Bridges have returned to their normal operating schedules.
Due to the problem with the bridge, the bridge owner, Florida Department of Transportation, will be making some emergency repairs to the bridge. They do not anticipate requesting any navigation restrictions during these repairs. As it will take some time to initiate this emergency repair action, the Longboat Pass Bridge may malfunction which could cause this bridge to be stuck in either the open or closed position. If the bridge is closed to navigation the bridge tender will notify any vessels in the vicinity of the bridge of this issue immediately and will request that they transit either north or south to avoid this bridge. The Coast Guard upon notification will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners and the New Pass Bridge will operate on a 24 hour a day schedule until repairs are made to the Longboat Pass Bridge.
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Pink Shell Luminaries, Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina, Western Terminus of the Okeechobee Waterway
What a grand way to get into the Holiday spirit! Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!, overlooks the westerly banks of the Mantanzas Pass channel, west of marker #13.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina
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Comments from Cruisers (1)
“Sky Marlin”……….. looks like a huge Marlin leaping from the sea.