Anchorage near Cape Canaveral

[JusDreaming]

the plan to sail south outside, (single handing), keeps showing Cape Canaveral as a stop over. I am not fond of marinas, so I am wondering where is the closest anchorage near Canaveral. Is there anything on the other side of the canal, we have a 57 foot mast, in the Banana River. I would rather not go all the way to the ICW. Is it possible to anchor in any of the basins?

[Vasco]

The best anchorage near Cape Canaveral is just west of the lock going into Cape Canaveral from the west. Anchor just south of the west entrance to the lock. It's like a big turning basin and we've anchored in the SE corner. When we clear in at Cape Canaveral we anchor here and dink into the marina, the lock is a foot or two at the most. If you're coming in from the ocean go right through the lock, turn south after exiting the lock and anchor on the east side. There's room for half a dozen boats. Don't anchor off the marina, no swinging room.