Intracoastal Waterway - Florida Anchorages
Miami-Dade Anchorages Florida Keys Anchorages South West Florida Anchorages
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Please note: Sail Miami is not responsible for anything that happens as a consequence of anchoring in any of these areas. These are just observations and notes based on previous experience with a shallow draft (3ft) boat.
There are several spots along the waterway where vessels can anchor. On our recent trip south from Jacksonville to Miami, we anchored in several spots and noted anchorages along the way. The following is a list of places with marker numbers, locations, and in some cases, coordinates.
North to South:
Jacksonville Area: ICW marker #4 (Fl G 4s) south of the Palm Valley Bridge. There is a lot of water (10 to 17 ft.) and some space on the east side of the channel. Good for an overnight stay or short rest. Room for only one or two boats. |
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St. Augustine turning basin. There are two places to anchor in St. Augustine. North of the Bridge of Lions there is mostly shallow water, but close to the bridge west of the channel it is best to stay close to the bridge. The closer you get to the fort, the shallower it is. The second place is south of the Bridge of Lions, just past the Marina, which is west of the channel. There are many boats there, but most stay clear of the shallow waters near the city seawall; as the tide drops, many boats wind up beached. To avoid this stay as close to the channel as possible. |
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New Smyrna: There are several places to anchor in and around New Smyrna. We found a little cove east of the channel with good swinging room and three other boats. Keep an eye on the chart and on the depths. |
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Melbourne: For shallow draft boats. Between fixed bridge and Red marker #6, east of the channel. We anchored south of the cable area in 6.5 ft. of water. Brought dinghy to shore at a park at the base of the bridge and tied up to a very strategically placed bench. The good part about this spot is that you can step off your dinghy and walk one block to 7 Eleven, then walk the four blocks to A1A and eat the BEST PIZZA in Florida at Bizzaro's Famous New York Pizza. Open til 10:30pm on weekdays and Saturday, until 9pm on Sunday. Shops and bookstores along the way. |
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Hobe Sound: East of the channel between markers #34 and 35. Keep your eye on the chart and watch for depths. As you move away from the channel there is more water (up to 12 feet). The chart indicates a harbor. |
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Jupiter Sound: North and South of Red Marker #52 west of the marker. Two anchorages with several boats of varying sizes. |
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Riviera Beach on Lake Worth: South of Sherman fixed bridge, around Red Marker #40. There are two anchorages here, one south of the bridge west of the channel, and south of the bridge, east of the channel and east of Peanut Island. Several sailboats of varying sizes anchored here. |
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Ft. Lauderdale: South of the E. Las Olas Blvd. Bridge. West of the channel immediately past the bridge there are mooring floats that can be picked up. Dinghy landing at foot of bridge. Several sailboats moored here. Moorings maintained by the Ft. Lauderdale City Marina, $15/night, maximum stay 30 days. Hail Dockmaster on channel 16. |
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Ft. Lauderdale: Lake Sylvia. As you pass Bahia-Mar Marina (South of E. Las Olas Blvd.) you will see the marina. Stay close to the left seawall past the Marina, as the water is deeper to the left. Then, once in the Lake, move to the right as the water becomes shallower on the the left (4 ft.) Check chart for shallow areas. Good for a one night stay or short rest, not recommended for extended stays. |