From Crystal River to Anclote Key, just follow the crabpots. Make your turn at St Martin's Light to reach Tarpon Springs. Anclote Key has a nice little sandbar on the north end of the island. There is a free anchorage up the Anclote River on the left at marker red 17.
Out of Tarpon Springs, there is 3 Rooker Bar just west of GICW at marker 35, nice anchorage. Just dink to the beach.
In Clearwater, just past the causeway to the starboard, there is anchorages along the Causeway.
Jump to the outside there, to avoid The Narrows, (I did), and jump back in at Pass De Grille. There is an anchorage up the channel to the left.
There is an anchorage at Eggmont Key, at the entrance to Tampa Bay. I jumped to the inside and ran the GICW down to
Sarasota, and tossed a hook just off from Marina Jacks, Free anchorage, just off marker 10
Jump to the outside, and follow the coast down to Venice Inlet. There is a free anchorage on the inside at marker 13 at Higel Park. Groceries are a far distance off, but its a nice protected spot.
I jumped to the outside at Venice Inlet, and made the run down to Boca Grande Pass, and tucked in at Pelican Bay just off marker red 74. Besure to enter Pelican Bay on the right side, 100' feet off the beach is the channel in. Lots around here to see, Cabbage Key is worth a look see...as well as Useppa Island has an anchorage just off marker 61.
Went outside from here to Marco Island, its a good days sail, so leave early. Factory Bay in Marco Island is a free federal anchorage. Can make the rumbline from Sanibel Island to the entrance to Marco, and never not see land on your left.
Can make a straight shot from Marco to the
Dry Tortugas,
Key West, its about a 100 miles, or go into
Florida Bay. When leaving Marco Island, be aware of Romano Shoals.
If I had to do again, I would
head from Marco Island to
Dry Tortugas, then to Key West, then up Hawks Channel to Marathon, ten across Florida Bay back into the Gulf.
Hope yall have a safe and incident free trip.