St. Pete(ish) anchorages

[xeon_tsd]

We will be heading to the St. Pete/Tampa area on our way south. Any recommendations for anchorages with good dinghy access to groceries etc??

Any local knowledge of things to be wary of?

[DDabs]

There is a mooring field near the Vinoy hotel that is managed by the city marina, with a dinghy dock. There is also an anchorage in the basin of the Harborage Marina, however no real access to land.

[Shanachie]

Gulfport City Marina is another possibility, especially if you are sailing in the Gulf as opposed to motoring in the ICW.

It's a couple of miles in from Pass -A - Grille inlet and John's Pass and allows you to get back on the Gulf quickly, as opposed to St. Pete, which is a couple of hours into the bay.

A short taxi ride gets you to downtown Gulfport, which is a fun place with good restaurants. A Publix is a longer taxi ride.

You can also get to downtown St. Pete via taxi for a reasonable price.

There is a free anchorage in Boca Ciega Bay outside the marina. You can leave your dinghy in downtown Gulfport, but lock it securely to keep it from walking away.

[xeon_tsd]

Originally Posted by Shanachie

Gulfport City Marina is another possibility, especially if you are sailing in the Gulf as opposed to motoring in the ICW.

Yes coming from the Gulf, but the bridge clearance looks a bit too tight to get here Charts claim 65' which is the same as my mast height...

[Shanachie]

Yep, you're right about that. The new Pinellas Bayway bridge is 65 feet. It occasionally affords a little more clearance at low tide, but this is not something you want to bank on or wait for.

So St. Pete is likely your best option. Even cruise ships can get under the Skyway bridge!

[Gary H]

Not St. Pete per se, but out on the beaches (Treasure Island/St. Pete Beach):

If you arrive from the Gulf via John's Pass (bascule bridge), head south on the ICW through Treasure Island Causeway (also a bascule) and circle around Paradise Island to the right you will find a Publix with a free dock. (I've had no problems leaving a dinghy there for several hours). The store is across the street from the beach and has several bars and restaurants within a couple of blocks. There's also a Walgreen's nearby.

There's sufficient room for anchoring right there or further south where you came from.

[cabo_sailor]

Originally Posted by Gary H

Not St. Pete per se, but out on the beaches (Treasure Island/St. Pete Beach):

If you arrive from the Gulf via John's Pass (bascule bridge), head south on the ICW through Treasure Island Causeway (also a bascule) and circle around Paradise Island to the right you will find a Publix with a free dock. (I've had no problems leaving a dinghy there for several hours). The store is across the street from the beach and has several bars and restaurants within a couple of blocks. There's also a Walgreen's nearby.

There's sufficient room for anchoring right there or further south where you came from.

Just be careful going thru John's Pass, the currents can be fierce and traffic sometimes a bit thick.

[GRIT]

Hello. I'm trying to find out if it's possible to reach boca ciega bay with an air draft of 72 feet. It looks like there are bascule bridges from John's pass to Boca Ciega Bay. I'd like to anchor just south of the Clam Bayou nature park.

I don't know if this information is current, so I'd like to hear from someone who knows if this is true. I understand the bascule bridge at Pinellas Bayway has been replaced with a 65 foot bridge (2015), so the route from John's pass seems like my only option, as long as the bridges haven't changed, or been closed.

Thanks.
Paul.

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by svquintana

I understand the bascule bridge at Pinellas Bayway has been replaced with a 65 foot bridge (2015), so the route from John's pass seems like my only option, as long as the bridges haven't changed, or been closed.

That is correct.

[GRIT]

So that route is still viable with a 72 foot air draft?

Thanks.
Paul.

[GRIT]

Hello again. Can a boat with a 72 foot air draft get to Boca Ciega bay? Are there opening bridges all the way from John's pass?

Thanks.
Paul.

[Sea Lyon]

Originally Posted by svquintana

Hello again. Can a boat with a 72 foot air draft get to Boca Ciega bay? Are there opening bridges all the way from John's pass?

Thanks.
Paul.

Yes you can get to Boca Ciega bay via Johns Pass. Like was mentioned before the Gulfport anchorage is a option or Gulfport Municipal has a nice floating transit dock.

[GRIT]

Thanks. I wasn't sure if there was perhaps a bridge to go under, from John's pass, as they're seldom 72 feet high.

Cheers.
Paul.

[denverd0n]

Right. You will have to go in Johns Pass and then down through two more bascule bridges to get to Boca Ciega. You will not be able to come up the Pass-A-Grille channel, as the new fixed bridge has a vertical clearance of 65 feet.

[GRIT]

That's great. Thanks Denverd0n.

I look forward to getting there.

Cheers.
Paul.