St Petersburg area anchorages along the shore area north and south towards sarasotoa

[Gboy]

Hi all looking for weekend type anchorages along the cost ( 5-10 miles) from the St Pete / Tampa inlet

Some mates with blueish water and sand.

Assume calm weather... I can always go back to the Marina..

Thanks


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[denverd0n]

Florida Sea Grant - Boating & Waterways - Anchorage Inventory
https://activecaptain.com/

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by Gboy

Hi all looking for weekend type anchorages along the cost ( 5-10 miles) from the St Pete / Tampa inlet

Some mates with blueish water and sand.

Assume calm weather... I can always go back to the Marina..

Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

Your best resource would be ActiveCaptain ("AC"). You'll have to register, but that's free. You'll find the answers to many of the questions you've asked on AC along with reviews and comments by other cruisers.

[DDabs]

Egmont Key is an awesome spot right at the entrance of the main shipping channel coming into Tampa Bay. There is a fort ashore and you can anchor on either side depending on wind conditions

[kelbylinn]

Take Manatee River into Bradenton. there are some good anchorages in there and near good restaurants and walking areas on both sides to dinghy to. Bradenton side (south side) is truly fun with a good boardwalk and downtown area to walk aroundi in. Twin Dolphin Marina is probably the best place to dinghy to or maybe just get a slip for the night there.

[TKDSailor]

St Petersburg is a great city to explore. Lots of museums, restaurants, bars, etc. The best place to anchor to use the city dock is the outer south basin, then dinghy into the Demens Landing boat ramp area and then leave your dinghy at Frescoes (you dock there, and there is a machine that says to pay $1./ hour, but I don't think the machine has worked for years). From there, you are right in the center of town, and can walk to the Dali Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Moon Under Water English Pub, Frescoes (for the Yucatan Spring Rolls only- most other fare is not great). Watch the prices on the menus, and definitely work the Happy Hours, or you'll end up taking a mortgage out for your meal... Moon is the best deal downtown, with GREAT Shepards pie, and Vindaloo chicken (if you like it really hot).

You can also go into Vinoy Harbor, but they charge $18/night (i think) for a mooring. Enjoy!!

[a64pilot]

By all means Active Capt, but call up Google Earth and get a look how they look yourself.
I'm not from around there, but Egmont Key did look interesting as we were passing through, did look like a nice spot for a day anchorage

[Scout 30]

If you head north you can anchor just east of the Clearwater Beach Municipal Marina if you want to check out Clearwater Beach. North of that you can anchor off of Dunedin & dinghy into the Municipal Marina or just tie up at the transient docks. Lots of great restaurants within walking distance. North of that is Caladesi Island State Park which has a big marina that's worth spending some time at. The island can only be reached by boat & the beach is beautiful. North of that is 3 Rooker Island which is a great protected anchorage with beautiful beaches. North of that is Anclote Island, our favorite. More great beaches & an awesome lighthouse. We like to anchor at the SE end directly off of the lighthouse but don't get too close. At this point you might as well run up the Anclote River to Tarpon Springs. You can't anchor but you can get a transient slip at the Municipal Marina & walk the historic sponge docks. If you like Greek food this is the place to go.

[Gboy]

Thanks all

I'm currently docked in Tampa, I'm an active, Active Captain user, just looking for additional local knowledge. I'm new to area, looking for day/weekend sails and a home for the 47 x 24 Cat, not easy on the Gulf.


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[Gboy]

Anyone anchored overnite off Egmont Key .. If conditions okay, is there a favored spot ?


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[Scout 30]

Originally Posted by Gboy

Anyone anchored overnite off Egmont Key .. If conditions okay, is there a favored spot ?


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I have a couple of times. The problem is there's no protection. The east side is great for the day but I don't recommend it overnight.

[DDabs]

Egmont Key is an amazing anchorage overnight. There is no protection but the wind usually blows from east or west and you can just anchor on the leeward side of the island. If the wind is from north or south, you can get really close to the pilot boat's dock that is on the east side of the island and it offers good protection.

[Wmiii]

Heading South from St Pete, If you go up the Manatee River, just inside on either the North or South side are good anchorages. Parks on either side. The Desoto park on the South side is interesting.
Egmont Key is vewry interesting, but be careful as there is no protection for an overnight stay.
Below the Cortez bridge is Bradenton Beach. Lots of boats anchored there, but a neat stop with bars and restaurants and short walk to the beach.
In side of Longboat pass to the South is the anchorage where Marvista restaurant is located. Often a good stop and you can dinghy to the beach or sandbar for entertainment on the weekends.

[Badtothebone]

Gulf side of Egmont seems very shallow