On the hook...

[Curious Sailor]

Where is the best place you dropped a hook and decided to stay longer than you intended?

How long did you plan to stay no how much longer did you stay?

[Hudson Force]

It is curious to see this introductory post sit unanswered for a couple of days. Maybe people are hesitant to share their favorite spots.

What ever the reasons, favorite anchorages vary by the goals of the cruiser. Our expectations of an anchorage change frequently, but over the long term we have not anchored during the same times that we had employment on shore. So, I can only speak of anchorages that we use while free of obligation.

I believe our longest term of anchoring out was on the Bayside of Key Largo for about three months, but even then, we moved from Buttonwood Sound, Tarpon Basin or Blackwater Sound depending upon the weather or what band was playing at the Caribbean Club or how close we wanted to be to the grocery store. Unfortunately, one of our easiest public dinghy access landings has been fenced and blocked since our last visit.

We also used to spend a length of time off the Casino in Gulfport, Florida, using the St. Petersburg public buses for easy access to provisions.

Some of our other favorites for anchoring are Solomons, St. Marys & St. Michaels, Md; Newport & Watch Hill, R.I.; Gloucester, Provencetown & Onset, Ma.; Georgetown, SC. and many places in the Abacos, Eleuthra and the Exumas.

We typically don't remain at one anchorage more than a week. This is not because we would be unable to remain longer, but because we enjoy cruising to new places. We also use a good number of mooring fields, but I have not included these. In most cases when we want to stay in one location for more than a month we pay the less expensive monthly rate at a marina.

[StPeteRob]

I second Gulfport, FL. There are a bunch of great bars and restaurants within walking distance of the dinghy dock at the Casino, plus the Blueberry Patch a few times per month.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[bvander]

blackpoint Exuma, stopped for a few days, stayed for weeks.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by bvander

blackpoint Exuma, stopped for a few days, stayed for weeks.

Every year we stay longer at Black Point. The folks are great. The water's beautiful and Captain C comes in once a week, sometimes twice.

[bvander]

Over the years have spent months at Black Point, such a nice place, folks are amazing.
We love it there and will go back again this year.

[Cheechako]

Perhaps few answers because so many anchorages end up a longer stay? I have no way to choose really. :>)

[Curious Sailor]

Sounds like a bunch of awesome spots! Thanks for sharing?..

[barnakiel]

You must be kidding if you think I ever share my fave spots!

I think Antigua was awesome, Brazil, Panama, Grenada, Anguilla, Dominica, Jamaica, Haiti ... but above all these spots I think Al-Salmaps in the UEE. We came for a season and we have been ever since.

b.

[m2244]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

You must be kidding if you think I ever share my fave spots!

I think Antigua was awesome, Brazil, Panama, Grenada, Anguilla, Dominica, Jamaica, Haiti ... but above all these spots I think Al-Salmaps in the UEE. We came for a season and we have been ever since.

b.

Lots of good info. Glad to see NC on there, we have friends there, didn't realize it was a good sailing destination.

Thanks everyone

[Jim Cate]

Ummm, let's see...

Port Cygnet, TAsmania... spent a couple of weeks there the first time, been back maybe 25 times since... beautiful scenery, nice little YC, friendly folks, easy walk into town for supplies, excellent holding and protection, free water and even electricity at the public wharf... what's not to like?

Jim

[Kenomac]

We keep this information to ourselves and share it with just a few close friends. Hint: It's generally not found in a guide book.

[JPA Cate]

Kenomac's right, when you find somewhere really special, and then tell "the world", "the world" flocks there, wears out the inhabitants, and it all changes. BTDT. Nevermore.


Ann

[RaymondR]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Kenomac's right, when you find somewhere really special, and then tell "the world", "the world" flocks there, wears out the inhabitants, and it all changes. BTDT. Nevermore.


Ann

Somehow I cannot see the world flocking to Port Cygnet in Tasmania, however it is going on my must visit list.

[Hudson Force]

There would be little risk in sharing many of our favorite spots because there's nothing there.......



...., but the thin slice and reflection.