Sailing from Carabelle to Tarpon Springs

[Kanoa Gigi]

Hi, new to this forum. We are in a Morgan 46 Sailboat about to make our first trip across the gulf. We are anchored in the river in Carabelle and looking for other sailors who might be heading that way too. Our ultimate goal is Key West. We are from Pensacola and so far have only sailed as far as Steinhatchee. Due to our 6’ draft we are trying to decide if it would be better to do a direct crossing to Tarpon Springs or whether we should try to do the route along the coast; Steinhatchee, Crystal Springs…. Hoping to find some more boats that are headed in the same direction

[Wolfe10]

Having done that trip many times, my suggestion is to wait for a 24 hour good weather window (east wind, small waves).


Unless you actually want to visit Tarpon Springs, head for Egmont Key/Tampa bay. Clearwater is also a common destination from Carabelle.



If Tampa bay or north are not actually places you want to visit and you and the weather are still good when you get to the Clearwater area, only a few degrees course change takes you to Venice, another easy entrance. This is what we did on the last crossing since we had spend a lot of time on previous trips north of Venice.

[sandy stone]

When my wife and I made that trip 8 years ago, we waited for a weather window, almost a week in Apalachicola going down, and both going and coming crossed the Gulf like it was a millpond. We had to motor the whole way in both directions, but considered that to be way better than getting the snot pounded out of us (as happened on the leg from Pensacola to Panama City.) We were surprised by the almost total lack of other boats out there - it feels pretty lonely, so if that bothers you, you might want to take the coastal route. Otherwise, no problem if you're patient.

We like Tarpon Springs too, but with a 6' draft, I doubt you're going to get in there. You might just as well head for Clearwater, and if you do, make sure to time things so you arrive in daylight. We were amazed at the number of crab traps more than 5 miles out. Eight years ago, there was a free shuttle bus from Clearwater Marina to Tarpon Springs.