WPB Fl to New Orleans

[Sailing Ohm]

Hello y’all, does anyone have a few can’t miss anchorages along the west coast of Fl? I am debating anchorage hoping my way there or going straight across. I will be single handing this trip.

I know the big bend area of Florida is pretty shallow and a long hop from Tampa to Panama City is likely and what many people do/recommend.
It also seems like a long hope is necessary after Moser Chanel up to Ft Myers unless anyone can recommend an anchorage near Marco or Naples that accommodates a 6’ draft.

This begs the question do I just do a really long hop from Marathon directly to the panhandle or Alabama. (I say panhandle as to try to avoid the offshore oil rigs/commercial traffic out of New Orleans area)
The idea of heaving to in the middle of the Gulf to grab sleep isn’t the most appealing thing but I know plenty of people use this technique.

I’ve lived in Florida my whole life and I’ve been almost everywhere in the state so nothing about this is a “site seeing trip”.
Time isn’t really an issue either.

Any advice someone could give would be appreciated. Thanks!

Boat is 37’ monohull with a 6’ draft and 50’ clearance. Has autopilot, AIS, and Satellite communication among all the other usual things.
Oh and I am hoping to Sail this journey and avoid motoring.

Thanks again for any input.

[Davy J]

Your 6' draft will likely limit some of these places. But there are so many places to stop on the west coast, you could really spend a month or two just getting from the Keys to Tarpon Springs.

Little Shark River
Turkey Key
Indian Key Pass
Goodland
Marco Island
Naples
Fort Myers Beach
Captiva/Sanibel
Cayo Costa
Boca Grande
Venice
Sarasota
Longboat Pass
St Petersburg
Tampa
St Pete Beach
Gulfport
Madiera Beach
Clearwater Beach
Caladesi Island
Duneden

Most are only a few hours away from each other or maybe a day sail.