I have copied the discussion below from the Net’s “Ask Your Neighbor” page (/ask_your_neighbor/ask_your_neighbor/), and the AGLCA mailing list.
North of Anclote Key, there is no protected intracoastal waterway along the so-called “Big Bend” region of Florida. Cruisiers have a choice to follow the coastline around to the Panhandle (staying WELL offshore), or cutting the corner and heading directly for Carrabelle, Panama City or some other port of call. The advantage of the so-called Big Bend route is access to the rivers along the way.
However, note that Captain Tug’s vessel (see below) is very shallow draft. Some of the Big Bend rivers featue entrance channels with only 3 to 4 feet of depth (others are deeper). Care must be taken!

My little boat Adventure is too small and too slow to safely make the jump from Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs. Has anyone out there actually cruised along the entire (or at least part of) the Nature Coast? Where are the harbors? Facilities? My boat with her centerboard up draws only 9″ of water. Could I take shelter in a small river or creek? If so, what is the approach like? Does the Nature Coast get pounded really hard by waves from the Gulf?
Thank you for your time.
Tug Buse

We did entire Big Bend twice and made the crossing from Clearwater Beach to Carrabelle once. The best crossing may St. Marks to Steinhatchee, which is about 44 miles of Gulf plus 12 miles of rivers or channels on both ends. Yes, you could anchor in the rivers easily and they twist and turn such that no Gulf waves get in after the first 2 turns or so. We went in a big boat, but the nature coast is really much more suited for smaller boats due to draft and marinas that can’t handle a big boat.
The approaches at the major rivers are well marked and buoyed channels and many of the smaller inlets are marked by “private” bouys maintained by locals. At 9 inches draft, you can go anywhere you want. The rather long river cruises from the gulf to the towns and marinas are very interesting.
Steinhatchee, Crystal River, Yankeetown, etc. all have passable marinas. From Tarpon Springs on South, the marinas are all very nice (and more expensive).
One comment of note: The “Nature Coast” should really be called “The Biting Bug Coast”. There are hoards of “sand gnats” that bite and leave itchy welts. They’re almost unbearable about an hour before sunset and at sunrise. By the time you get to Clearwater Beach and Sarasota, there are NO bugs at all. You can leave your boat open with a light on all night and not attract one bug. If you do that on the nature coast, they’ll drain you dry. Bring a bug net for your bed.
Doug Shuman

Tug,
How little is your boat? I plan a fall cruise in my O’Day DSII from Cedar Key south to ?. Any suggestions for the small boat cruiser?
Phil Capper