Cruising from Port Charlotte to the Keys

[ahoymon]

We cruised our 38 foot Hunter (Ahoy Mon) from Houston Texas to Port Charlotte last year. Stored her on the hard at Safe Cove Storage there- an excellent place for hurricane season. Next week we are going to relaunch and head out for a month cruise to the keys via Dry Tortuga.

We would like advice on routes and anchorages along the way and recommendations on where to leave the boat from June until December when we plan on heading to the Bahamas. We draw 5 feet.

Also if any one cares to buddy boat along let us know. We have done that in the past and enjoyed it.

Thanks
Pat Hooyman

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Pat.

Southwest Florida Anchorage Inventory
➥ https://www.flseagrant.org/anchorage..._inventory.php

[Davy J]

Are you sailing directly from Port Charlotte to the Dry Tortugas, or heading down the coast, crossing Florida Bay to the Keys, Key West then on to the Tortugas?

[ahoymon]

Originally Posted by Davy J

Are you sailing directly from Port Charlotte to the Dry Tortugas, or heading down the coast, crossing Florida Bay to the Keys, Key West then on to the Tortugas?

Thanks so much for the reply. Since we have never explored this part of Florida before, we plan on taking our time and stop/anchor to see some of Cabbage Key, Pine Island, Fort Meyers Beach, Captiva, Naples and Marco Island. Thought we would head out from Marco to the Tortugas. Then up the keys to relax and maybe pull the boat for hurricane season near Stuart.

[tomfl]

Originally Posted by ahoymon

Thanks so much for the reply. Since we have never explored this part of Florida before, we plan on taking our time and stop/anchor to see some of Cabbage Key, Pine Island, Fort Meyers Beach, Captiva, Naples and Marco Island. Thought we would head out from Marco to the Tortugas. Then up the keys to relax and maybe pull the boat for hurricane season near Stuart.

Maybe you should stop at Cape Romano Shoals and check out the Dome House on the way down. Also suggest Marquesas Keys either going out or returning to the Keys.

[ahoymon]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Pat.

Southwest Florida Anchorage Inventory
➥ https://www.flseagrant.org/anchorage..._inventory.php

Thanks so much - this is a terriffic resource - is there anything like this for the keys and Eastern Florida?

[tomfl]

Originally Posted by ahoymon

Thanks so much - this is a terriffic resource - is there anything like this for the keys and Eastern Florida?

yea, active captain

[Davy J]

Just from personal experience, a few highlights;

Cayo Costa and also Cabbage Key

If you want dining/resort amenities, Tween Waters/Captiva House. If you have time to rent bike/taxi " The Bubble Room".

Fort Myers Beach, Salty Sams or Pink Shell Resort.

Naples, City Dock......... Be aware, takes 1.5-2hours north after you clear the pass.

Marco Island, fine dining/resort = Esplanade, anchor in Smokehouse bay or Factory bay.

"Old Timey Florida" = Goodland, Esp. Stan's Idle hour.

Places to anchor in the Everglades: Indian key Pass, up river. Little Shark River.

Bring mosquito protection, screens/thermocell/citronella, you will need it.

Turn Cell phones off after Indian Key Pass, phone will kill battery trying to find a signal....

[WSMFP]

Cayo Costa is an excellent anchorage. Pay 2 bucks to the state park for entry. There are showers (cold only) in a bath house on the beach side. They run a tram over there. They also have ice for 4$ a bag which is pretty reasonable.


Tween Waters is also a great place to stop and you can walk to the "downtown" area of Sanibel which has a small grocery store. Key Lime Bristo has pretty good food or walk a litte further to Doc Ford's which we really enjoyed.