Cruising St Pete area. Where do you like to go?

[KeepInTune]

We are chartering out of St Pete for 4-5 days on a 40' monohull. This is our first experience around St Pete area. We'll depart out of the Muni marina and we are looking for nice trips up and/or down the coast.

Can any of you experienced with the area give advice on some very nice, easy and protected anchorages for relaxation in the late afternoon and overnight we should consider? I'm on Active Captain, but would like some advice from fellow cruisers.

We probably won't consider cruising beyond 70nm North or South of St Pete and are happy to stay close to St Pete if there are very nice places you'd recommend.

[Caye Castle]

Bradenton & Sarasota to the south have some nice anchorage's. To the north is Clearwater, Dunedin and Tarpon Springs the water is kind of skinny but good anchorage's and friendly people.

[the_alpine]

Southbound to Egmont key and then to the anchorage at the north end of longboat key.


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[DDabs]

I don't have any anchorages to recommend as I don't know the St. Pete area too well, but be sure to check out the Dali Museum!

[rognvald]

If you want to anchor, try the south side of Snead island up the Manatee River in good holding sand and gravel 8-12 feet.. It is quiet, peaceful and borders a state park. Next, you can go to Eggmont Key for a day anchorage. Not recommended over night because of changing winds and commercial traffic in the channel to the Gulf. Good fishing and, if the water is right, good shark watching. The last place close to St. Pete would be south of the Cortez Bridge on the east side of the intercoastal in Bradenton Beach. There is a marina for fuel, Bradenton Beach for entertainment and the fishing village of Cortez that you can dingy to for some fresh fish and a couple funky bars with entertainment. If you have kids, you could dingy to the sandbar to the east of Longboat Pass and join the party crowd. Hope this helps. Good luck and good sailing.

[s/v Beth]

I chartered out of there a lot a few years back. Great place to bareboat. First day: easy sail to backside of edgemont key (stable weather). Anchor (double, i have never draged)and enjoy. Second day south to Venice. Great seafood at the marina. Then on to Captiva, thousand islands where ever!

[pesarsten]

With just 4-5 days you'll be limited in where you can go. In Boca Ciega bay, just in front of Gulfport is an anchorage that we enjoy frequently. You can dinghy in to the restaurants and bars or stay at Gulfport marina. Gulfport Florida


It's a nice area and a great sail from downtown St Pete. From there you can go north or south on the ICW or out into the Gulf in easy day sails.


Send me a PM if you'd like more info.
Paul

[rognvald]

Originally Posted by pesarsten

With just 4-5 days you'll be limited in where you can go. In Boca Ciega bay, just in front of Gulfport is an anchorage that we enjoy frequently. You can dinghy in to the restaurants and bars or stay at Gulfport marina. Gulfport Florida


It's a nice area and a great sail from downtown St Pete. From there you can go north or south on the ICW or out into the Gulf in easy day sails.


Send me a PM if you'd like more info.
Paul

Good point, Pesarsten! And, you must always factor weather into your charter. It's not 4 days at Busch Gardens.

[jangann]

Otter Key, Sarasota


An Ocean Lover in Maine.