Anchorage in the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) By: Tom & Pam Dove MILE 716, FL - OLD FERNANDINA BEACH Rough anchorage and limited water depth at municipal marina (be sure to stay on the outside of the floating dock) but an interesting, friendly old town that is worth a visit. This is bad in a NE wind. (Do NOT stay here under those circumstances, as it is uncomfortable and unsafe). You have to be at the north side docks, as there is very little water on the south side. It is first come, first served- no reservations. The old town is right there in walking distance, but a grocery store is about 2 miles away. There is a large anchorage area opposite the marina, and you can dinghy in and tie up at the marina for free, although they charge $1.25/person if you use their showers and/or bring in your trash. Tugs and other commercial traffic use this area, so be sure you are out of the channel and show a light. in late 2000, a tug hit and sank a sailboat that was anchored either in or very close to the channel without an anchor light. One on board got out with no injuries. The other was killed. (Crescendo, Rosalieann) MILE 729, FL - AMELIA RIVER NAVIGATION NOTE Shifting shoals and frequent mark changes make the mouth of Amelia River a very treacherous place. Get local advice on VHF. (Crescendo) MILE 735, FL - FORT GEORGE RIVER Anchor Bahamian-style in narrow but deep water along the southern shore between R "2" and G "5" (the channel is inactive but show a light). Dinghy over to Kingsley Plantation and its wildlife refuge for an interesting tour. Popular with fishermen, even beyond the marked end of the channel. (Freedom, Molly B, Rosalieann) MILE 739, FL - JACKSONVILLE (ORTEGA RIVER) This is a side trip up the St. Johns River. It's a protected anchorage and there is a West Marine close by. (Teelok) MILE 744, FL - N OF ATLANTIC BOULEVARD BRIDGE Handy little anchorage in 20 feet MLW to E of small island with easy entrance. Bahamian moor will keep you in the center. (Crescendo) MILE 740, FL - ST. JOHNS RIVER NAVIGATION NOTE Watch carefully for big ships here. They move fast and the current squirts you out of the ICW suddenly into a blind curve of the commercial channel. (Crescendo) MILE 765, FL - PINE ISLAND Enter at G "25" and anchor in 10' - 12' in good holding. Attractive and convenient anchorage in the bight with some wind protection from trees. Narrow sections call for two anchors. (Crescendo, Freedom) MILE 778, FL - ST. AUGUSTINE Hospitable, touristy and plenty of fun with many restaurants and lots to see (especially the Lightner Museum and the Castillo de San Marcos) within walking distance of the waterfront. One cruiser found less than four feet just outside the municipal marina slips at low tide; you can have dinghy access to the marina from the anchorage for $6 per day. Exposed anchorage on either side of the Bridge of Lions. Be careful near the inlet, where currents are strong. 1999 hurricane-damaged docks have been rebuilt. (Crescendo, Freedom, Narnia, Grey Panther, Mielle) MILE 792, FL - MATANZAS RIVER NAVIGATION NOTE Probably the trickiest place on the Waterway, where strong currents shift the channel faster than the Coast Guard can move the markers. Get local advice from St. Augustine Sea Tow on VHF; just ask "How is Matanzas?" and they'll brief you. (Crescendo) MILE 796, FL - MARINELAND Sad to say, Florida's original "Lookit the fish" attraction is closed, along with its marina. (Mielle) MILE 809, FL - OLD CEMENT PLANT Turn west between G11 and G13. A great spot, especially in bad weather, but do not block the Sea Ray docks. No less than 8 ft depth all the way in at low water. Not particularly beauteous but we saw herons and other shore birds . (Almada, Luv It) MILE 829, FL - DAYTONA BEACH Restaurants are no longer at Halifax Harbor, but West Marine is. Seven Seas Marina has a little restaurant where cruisers gather for breakfast and lunch, but beware the cross currents there. Anchorage on either side of the old (now gone) Seabreeze bridge. One more bridge is permanently open, so there are now only 2 bridges in Daytona Beach, not 4. You can ride the local buses for 10 cents on Sundays. (Crescendo, Freedom, Rosalieann) MILE 842.2, ROCKHOUSE CREEK Turn east between R10 and R12 and find sandy beaches (to take your dog ashore) and 10-14 feet of water. There is very little boat traffic here. It is part of the Ponce de Leon Inlet, which is too shallow for deep draft boats. We "sniffed" out the entrance and found plenty of water (4 1/2 foot draft) at the northern end of the entrance. The anchorage was superb! (Luv It, Cavalier) MILE 846, FL - NEW SMYRNA (SHEEPSHEAD CUT) Good anchorage behind the island and the town is a short row away. Since the 1997 routing of the ICW through Sheepshead Cut, there's limited space (perhaps 5-10 boats) on either side of the channel, and the restricted space calls for double anchors to limit swing. Coming out of the Haulover Canal headed south, there are a couple of oil tanks on the far shore you can use as an informal range to keep from going aground. (Freedom, Teelok, Windchime, Rosalieann) MILE 862, FL - MOSQUITO LAGOON Anchor east of Green #19 in charted 7'. Calm nights only! (Windchime) MILE 878, FL - TITUSVILLE Anchor between G "1" and the swing bridge in settled weather, or go south of the bridge on the eastern side near the causeway if it's blowing from the north. It is a good walk to get to any restaurants from the municipal marina. They have an internet connection outside, several washers and three dryers, and a free car ride at 8:30 to ACE hardware in the morning if you sign up before 8:15. Some people anchor outside the marina entrance. (Freedom, Rosalieann) MILE 878/910, FL - TITUSVILLE TO MELBOURNE You can anchor in the lee of the causeways at all the high bridges in event of heavy weather. Check charts for water depths. (Freedom) MILE 885, FL - ADDISON POINT Either side of bridge to east of channel. Have watched shuttle launches from here. (Windchime) MILE 897, FL - COCOA Anchor off the channel and as close in as is comfortable. There is a terrific, old-time hardware store in Cocoa. (Teelok) MILE 903, FL - MELBOURNE You can anchor almost anywhere out of the channel along the river in the Melbourne area and north. (Rosalieann) MILE 914, FL - BANANA RIVER (THE DRAGON) Go east to Dragon Point just before the Eau Gallie Causeway (SR 518) to a very protected anchorage in the Banana River. Anchor on the west side of the channel either at the mouth (closer to the stores) or by the bridge (closer to the marina) in 10' to 18' depths. You can also anchor above the Mathis bridge. Indian Harbor Marina has a dinghy ramp and several shopping malls are about one mile away. (Freedom, Teelok) MILE 945, FL - INDIAN RIVER Jones Fruit Dock is $10/night... no electric, heads, or showers but lots of just-picked oranges and grapefruit to buy (cheap). Depth at the dock is barely 6'. (Narnia) MILE 952, FL - VERO BEACH No anchoring, but the mooring prices are reasonable. Free shuttle bus service may be available. (Teelok) MILE 965, FL - FORT PIERCE Anchored just past the bridge of Harbortown Marina (not protected from easterlies) Every time the bridge opens it is noisy but there are almost no openings at night. Difficult to set an anchor. The chart shows 8 feet but it is shoaled up by the bridge. The shoal goes down almost to the red marker and there are other lumps. Anchoring closer to shore may be less current. (Rosalieann) MILE 966, FL - FABER COVE Follow the marked channel to the east. It is just south of the Fort Pierce inlet. Anchor either just past buoy #7 or go all the way into the cove, depending on the weather. (Almada) MILE 987, FL - STUART Nice spot to spend a couple days. A park and stores are close by the anchorage. (Teelok) MILE 992, FL - PECK'S LAKE Good spot to dingy ashore, located just east of ICW. The beach is just a short walk over the dunes. Turn east just south of #19 and steer 60 degrees into deep water. The anchorage area is bigger than the charts indicate. (Teelok, Windchime) MILE 1014, FL - NORTH PALM BEACH (N. END OF LAKE WORTH) This is a popular place but there is plenty of room. A dinghy landing is at the small bridge north of the anchorage and stores are close by, including a West Marine. (Teelok, Windchime). NOTE: The N. Palm Beach (N.Lake Worth) anchorage restriction is not apparently being enforced. I was there in Dec. and March for three days each time and did not register or pay, or see anyone who did. This is a great spot. There is now a cable to lock your dinghy to at the landing by the bridge, put there so you do not have to lock to the private fence. (Mielle) MILE 1020, FL - LAKE WORTH INLET Many good anchorages off Palm Beach western shore. (Windchime) MILE 1031, FL - LANTANA Anchor SW of bridge. Good overnight anchorage. (Windchime) MILE 1031, FL - OCEAN AVENUE New bridge almost completed 2001. (Rosalieann) MILE 1048, FL - LAKE BOCA RATON Anchor in the north end where there is more water. (Teelok) MILE1064, FL - FT. LAUDERDALE, LAS OLAS BRIDGE Bridge does not open on demand any more. SW side of bridge has moorings provided by city at $10 per night. City docks on NE side of bridge are 36 cents per foot off season, including water and electricity. There is a dinghy dock servicing the moorings to the SW of the Las Olas Bridge. The Municipal docks to the NE of the bridge have been completely renovated, and now offer full facilities (except fuel) including showers, laundry, pump-out, etc. Fuel is available 2 miles south at the 17th Street Causeway Bridge - Bahia Mar, Pier 66, and Lauderdale Marinas. Overnight anchorage is available at Lake Sylvia, about 1 mi. South of Las Olas. West Marine offers a free shuttle to their store, located at US1 and S.R. 84. Shopping, with bus service, is located within 2 miles west on Las Olas. (Windchime, Southbound, Rosalieann) MILE 1070, FL - HOLLYWOOD We moved into the cut and found plenty of water and plenty of protection. (Teelok) MILE 1089, FL - BISCAYNE BAY (MIAMI), WATSON PARK Just south of the Venetian Causeway Bridge, turn east and travel through 7- foot water, skirting Watson Park, to anchor near Palm Island, between Miami and Miami Beach. This location has a good view from every azimuth, and is very entertaining. Cruise ships (Love Boat type) are 400 yards away, separated from the anchorage only by a low, narrow causeway. Seaplanes land in Government Cut, CG helicopters check on incoming vessels; we can see only the tops of tugs and serious fishing boats coming and going. By dinghy, or by moving your major vessel closer into a more exposed anchorage, there is access to a huge Publix 3.5 miles away, through a public park NW of Belle Isle. South Beach is only a dinghy ride and a short hike away. (Luv It) MILE 1091, FL - MIAMI MARINE STADIUM Channel on north side of Rickenbacker bridge leads to anchorage. Go past marina on right and then go right into Marine Stadium waters. Anchor between small island and stadium. May be crowded on weekends. One cruiser reports that the PWCs stop running around at dark, and the "No Trespassing" signs are not enforced. Nothing of any consequence here and several miles to stores. Buses may be available out on the causeway. (Windchime, Luv It, Rosalieann) MILE 1096, FL - HURRICANE HARBOR Use Hurricane Harbor if you'd like to be well protected (from 350 degrees) and surrounded by gorgeous homes. Don't come if you need groceries, fuel, or trips ashore. After avoiding the huge shoaled area to the west of the entrance, enter near the red "2" (25.41.339N, 080.10.610W) where there is 8 feet of water, and you'll find 12 feet inside the anchorage. The bottom is gray sticky gumbo mud, so let your anchor settle a bit before you tug.(Luv It) The following places are south of the ICW's official end at Miami MILE 1140, FL - TARPON BASIN (FLORIDA BAY SIDE) One of my favorites in a blow. Anchor north of #48A. Not deep and a grassy bottom but good holding once anchor is set. Have ridden out several winter fronts there. Large marina nearby. (Crescendo, Windchime) MILE 1146, FL - BUTTERNUT KEY (FLORIDA BAY SIDE) This is a fine spot for birdwatching while at anchor. Choose either side of the key, according to wind direction. Some cruisers report baby sharks here, and we have seen many dolphins in the area. (Crescendo) MILE 1145, FL - RODRIGUEZ KEY (OCEAN SIDE) A good spot to spend the night as long as the seas are down or are coming from a favorable direction. May be hard to set an anchor on the rocky bottom. Anchor N or S of island while waiting for weather to cross to Bahamas and ride with the Stream from here. (Teelok, Windchime, Rosalieann) MILE 1164, FL - LIGNUMVITAE KEY Anchor near NW shore of key. (Windchime) MILE 1170, FL - CHANNEL FIVE Anchor SW of bridge close to shore for protection from north wind. (Windchime) MILE 1195 FL - BOOT KEY/MARATHON It's crowded, but a good spot to spend some time. The only other drawback seems to be the amount of "unusual things" that appear on the bottom of the boat. You may want to scrape the bottom before leaving. There is a proposal to install moorings and possibly eliminate anchoring or leave a much reduced area for anchoring. The town and county are battling for jurisdiction and there is some local opposition. A mobile pumpout boat is there but not operating full time, if at all.(Teelok, Mielle) MILE --- FL - KEY WEST Many municipal moorings have been installed on the Florida Bay side north of Garrison Bight, east of Fleming Key. There is less current there than Key West Harbour, but it is exposed to the north. (Mielle) KEY WEST MOORING FIELD: There are NO facilities in Garrison Bight - only about 2 showers, no pump out, no parking, and no dinghy dock. Also there is an overhead power line, so we can't get the big boat in there. A slip is $1200/month for long term if you could get in there. The mooring field is not protected from the north, but there isn't any good place to anchor that IS protected from the north. There is no charge for the mooring because it is administered out of Garrison Bight and they have nobody to collect. To get into town, you have to go through the cut into Key West Bight. This can take up to 1/2 hour if you have a little dinghy, depending on the current through the cut. The dinghy dock is by the old turtle kraals - $4/day, $20/week and $60/month. People anchor all over the place in Key West. A lot are west of Fleming Key and around the old Tank Island (now called Sunset Key because it is no longer Navy and that sounds better than Tank Island). There is a water taxi. (Rosalieann) ******************************** The following anchorages are listed northward from the west side of the Keys (25-19 N, 81-08 W), FL - LITTLE SHARK RIVER Enter and anchor N of red #4. If adventurous, follow Little Shark River NE to Shark River and on to Tarpon Bay. Six foot draft OK with favorable tide. In winter you won't want to leave. In summer you donate blood! (Windchime) (25-48 N, 81-28 W), FL - EVERGLADES CITY Anchor NW of green #7 in Russell Bay, Everglades National Park. Red Mangroves 60 feet high surround you. This remote anchorage WON'T be crowded! Could continue on in to Everglades City (Windchime, Luv It) (25-58 N, 81-46 W), FL - MARCO ISLAND TO THOUSAND ISLANDS Depth of channel after leaving Marco Island area is 4-6 foot, at one point the chart declares it 3 ft. Using the tides & local knowledge helps. There are two bridges with a 55 ft. clearance. The charts I used were freebies from Sea Tow, just called "Naples to the Everglades." At the end of this channel is Goodland FL. They have a good size marina with all the services including lift service etc. Marco used to be a rough entrance several years ago. They have removed an island which one had to navigate around with very swift water. Today it is a straight shot and I made it in with no problem and was amazed at the changes for the better. (Nutmeg) (25-58 N, 81-46 W), FL - MARCO ISLAND Anchor in S end of Factory Bay. One cruiser says that the Marco Island Winn-Dixie store has a dinghy dock: "One can dinghy in and walk to the stores." Bikers will really enjoy this area. Several good marinas in the area. (Windchime, Luv It, Nutmeg) (26-05 N, 81-48 W), FL - NAPLES TO MARCO ISLAND This channel is 4.5 to 6 feet throughout. There are no bridges and it's all a preserved wildlife area. People anchor out all over the place within the preserve. (Nutmeg) (26-05 N, 81-48 W), FL - NAPLES Anchor NW of red #12 among beautiful homes. A favorite of ours. (Windchime) MILE 147, FL(OKEECHOBEE CANAL) - GLOVER BIGHT Just 2.5 miles E of MILE ZERO, FL(W) near Cape Coral. This would be a great place to hang out in high winds. Turn at R #92, follow marks in. The bottom yanked our anchor at first try. Protection from waves 360 degrees, from wind all but SW. Tarpon Point Marina is nearby. (Luv It) MILE ZERO, FL(W) - FORT MYERS BEACH ANCHORAGE The anchorage is crowded and busy with small boats on weekends, but not always "rude." There is the rare benefit of a free dinghy landing right behind a supermarket! Take the dinghy east through the anchorage and turn right into the last canal on the right (at red mark 4). Go to the end of the canal and tie up to a mangrove tree. You can walk one block to the beach from there as well. (Windchime, Mielle) MILE 5, FL(W) - SANIBEL ISLAND "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Area. Anchor S of Red #16 or #18 and tuck in close to the island in 6 feet of water for protection from S to W winds. Dinghy to the wildlife refuge, through a cut into Tarpon Bay. Thousands of birds and other wildlife live here. There is a gift shop, and you can rent bicycles for $7/day. (Windchime, Luv It) MILE 22, FL(W) - USEPPA ISLAND Anchor E of ICW between 60 and 61. (Windchime) MILE 24, FL(W) - PELICAN BAY Tricky to get into but worth it when there, with incredible beauty and 360- degree protection. Go SW from #72 toward the bay and hold 75% to starboard so that you skirt the island about 100 feet offshore until you reach the anchorage off the Cayo Costa State Park dock, thus avoiding a very large shoal on the south side of the bay. Popular. Five-foot draft OK with fair tide. A pocket of somewhat deeper water is beyond the dock. Dinghy to shore and take a tram for the one-mile ride to the Gulf shore where shelling is good. The island may only be reached by boat, so it is not crowded. Or dinghy 2.5 miles south and find the "love tunnel" path to the Gulf by entering through Murdock Bayou. Be prepared to walk your dinghy at several places, including through the tunnel under a mangrove bower. Your reward will be in having a part of the island to yourselves and GREAT shelling. (Windchime, Luv It) MILE 37, FL(W) - CAPE HAZE A beautiful residential lagoon east of the ICW. Anchor anywhere in the lagoon. (Windchime) MILE 43, FL(W) - ENGLEWOOD BEACH When S of bridge, turn SW and follow charted water to the park area. Check www.markwebhost.com/IRIE for excellent detail. (Windchime) MILE 58, FL(W) - VENICE S of R #14 is a free City Dock in Higel Park. Good for four or five boats. Walk to town and restaurants. (Windchime) MILE 85, FL(W) - LONG BEACH A favorite. Go W from G #39 and then S to anchorage off the restaurants. (Windchime) MILE 95, FL(W) - MANATEE RIVER Anchor behind Desoto Point. We rode out the "Storm of the Century" here. (Windchime) MILE ---, FL(W) - ST. PETERSBURG Just a few miles from the ICW, there is a nice anchorage right downtown in front of the Vinoy Hotel ("North Yacht Basin" on the chart) . A one-week limit is reportedly enforced. You can land a dink on a little beach in the SE corner of the anchorage. (Mielle) MILE 116, FL(W) - GULFPORT Follow the marked channel. Anchor off the City fishing pier. (Windchime) MILE 133, FL(W) - CLEARWATER Anchor E of Red #8 along the shore. Good place to await good weather for crossing to Apalachicola. (Windchime) ---- FL(W) - TARPON SPRINGS AREA The channel going up to Tarpon Springs can be tricky to get into in the dark. Beware -- don't try it -- I'd been there a couple of time and thought I knew it well enough, only to sit high and dry overnight until the tide came up. In the daytime follow the charts up the river; there is plenty of water if one stays in the channel and it's well marked. There is an anchorage off on the left that has good water and a park but it's far from town. I've always gone up into the town and used a marina for a night. Great place to visit, can walk to the stores and many restaurants, mostly Greek foods. (Nutmeg) MILE150, FL(W) - ANCLOTE KEY Anchor E of key. Another good waiting spot to cross (but not in a blow). (Windchime) MILE 150, FL(W) - NAVIGATION NOTE There is no ICW from Anclote to Carabelle. You have a choice of a 130-mile offshore trip or a series of shallow anchorages along the "Big Bend." I always get into trouble in the Big Bend so I avoid it. (Windchime) ---- FL(W) - GULF HARBORS About 3 miles N of Anclote River Entrance. Controlling depth of about 5 feet ends at a protected basin with a good restaurant. Either anchor or dock and eat at the restaurant. (Duette) ---- FL(W) - CRYSTAL RIVER 45 miles N of Anclote River. Controlling depth is 4 feet at low tide just before the entrance to the channel. Area S of #23 is protected and good holding if you don't anchor in the shells too close to Shell Island. Follow the markers up river to Kings Bay. Well protected, poor holding. (Duette) ---- FL(W) - WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER 50 miles N of Anclote River; good water all the way in. Watch markers closely. Commercial traffic restricts anchoring due to wakes until you reach the residential and manatee area 2 miles up the river. Tie up to the trees on the south bank. (Duette) ---- FL(W) - CEDAR KEY 60 miles N of Anclote River. Good holding ground, protection from N only. Anchor 300 yards E of the city dock just off the boat ramp. DO NOT TIE UP TO THE CITY DOCK. Strong currents and rough water with any opposing winds. (Duette) ---- FL(W) - STEINHATCHEE RIVER 90 miles N of Anclote River. Deep water all the way in; anchor on south side of river channel. (Duette) ---- FL(W) - CARABELLE, DOG ISLAND Beginning of the Gulf ICW. Anchor N of western tip of island. MILE 352, FL(W) - APALACHICOLA Anchor E of #4 and #6. (Windchime) MILE 345, FL(W) - SAUL CREEK A favorite gunkhole and hurricane hole. Turn NE into Saul Creek then NW at first fork. Cross 50 foot deep water and anchor in eight feet. Wildlife! (Windchime) MILE 291, FL(W) - PANAMA CITY (1) SW from G #19 into Smack Bayou. Storm hole and popular. (2) NE from G #17 into Massalina Bayou through drawbridge. Moderate holding but protected. (3) North shore of Shell Island. Popular. (Windchime) End of ICW anchorage listing |