Anchoring around Ft. Myers Beach

[sodaTab]

We are interested in anchoring around Ft. Myers Beach for an extended period of time. However we can only find information on the mooring field.
What are your experiences with anchoring in the area?

[Cheechako]

Check Active Captain.

[soverel]

You can anchor there. East of mooring field.

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[Lake-Effect]

Heh we were just kayaking around that area this morning. I don't know the regulations, sorry, but we did see a few boats anchored NE of Snook Bight Marina. A few of them had that beat-up "I haven't moved in a while" look.

[RTB]

You can anchor at Sanibel Island. A bit of a dinghy ride to FMB though. I've seen a couple of boats anchored across from Moss Marine, near that little island. Watch your depth though. It gets shallow quick.

Ralph

[denverd0n]

Information about anchorages around SW Florida here...
Florida Sea Grant - Boating & Waterways - Anchorage Inventory

[sodaTab]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Check Active Captain.

I cant believe I didn’t know about that. Thanks Cheechako.

[brownoarsman]

Was just in the mooring field. Bunch of boats anchored east of it, as was mentioned. The mooring field has two parts, west and east. After you're past the first one, keep going till you're past the second. Then you'll see the anchor outs a couple hundred yards beyond that. For what it's worth, the mooring field is cheap, quiet, and has the best facilities I've ever seen in a marina. Plus, the dinghy dock is basically right downtown.


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[brantleychuck]

I anchored there once



Just kidding. I strayed out of the channel with a dropping tide on the way to my house. You can just see the mostly derelict boats anchored behind me. What's your daft? That would make a huge difference. You do not need to be in the mooring field to use the dinghy dock . The mooring field is very safe and easy.



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[sodaTab]

We draw 4.5ft.
Thanks for all of the helpful information everyone.


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[AlwaysFORSAIL]

on the South end of the island is Big Carlos Pass with its bascule bridge ad a lot of protected, quiet water inside. With 4.5' draft you can use the channel at anything above low tide to head North to the mooring field and survey the back bay for possible anchorages. I don't do it regularly because its 7 miles of motoring but I've done it with 5.5 draft.

[dochip]

If you don't want to be near all the tourist stuff at Fort Myers Beach come north under the Sanibel Bridge and there are many safe anchorages just past it west off the channel that are an easy dinghy ride
to a public boat launch at Punta Rassa which is a nice walk to a Publix and more.

[23ftsailor]

Just left the anchorage in Ft Myers just east of Snook Bight Marina. Dinghied in and tied up at the restaurant dock. East of snook bight depth was approx 10-15ft.

Publix grocery store is close by with $.79 gallons of water. And a bakery.



Tattooed Sailor

[lsearite]

Up the river across from Fort Myers Yacht Basin is a small island where boats are anchored. You can dinghy into the marina, be in the downtown area, a short walk to Publics, liquor store, other shopping (ladies can even get their hair & nails done at floating salon in the marina). And everybody watches out for everybody and calm from the weather, which will be important if you leave the boat. My two cents.

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by lsearite

Up the river across from Fort Myers Yacht Basin is a small island where boats are anchored. You can dinghy into the marina, be in the downtown area, a short walk to Publics, liquor store, other shopping (ladies can even get their hair & nails done at floating salon in the marina). And everybody watches out for everybody and calm from the weather, which will be important if you leave the boat. My two cents.

While good information,that is not Fort Myers Beach, but downtown Fort Myers. Two different places. Chuck