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Tarpon Basin R48A

Location: Tarpon Basin
Mile Marker: Mile 1140
Lat / Lon: N 25° 07.787' / W 080° 26.015'
Depth: 7-8 Feet
Description:
If you drop a hook in Tarpon Basin, you owe it to yourself to get local knowledge about the mangrove tunnels that you can explore from the comfort of your dinghy.
NOTE: Per Florida Statute 327.4109

The owner or operator of a vessel or floating structure may not anchor or moor such that the nearest approach of the anchored or moored vessel or floating structure is:
1. Within 150 feet of any marina, boat ramp, boatyard, or other vessel launching or loading facility;
2. Within 300 feet of a superyacht repair facility. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "superyacht repair facility" means a facility that services or repairs a yacht with a water line of 120 feet or more in length; or
3. Within 100 feet outward from the marked boundary of a public mooring field or a lesser distance if approved by the commission upon request of a local government within which the mooring field is located. The commission may adopt rules to implement this subparagraph.

2.33

(6)

2.33 out of 5 stars

Holding:

3.20

Fair, Grassy, Mud

Wind Protection:

4.40

Somewhat Exposed Southeast

Current Flow:

4.00

Wake Protection:

3.20

Somewhat Exposed Southeast

Scenic Beauty:

4.00

Ease of Shopping:

1.00

Shore Access:

1.25

Pet Friendly:

1.00

Cell Service:

4.25

WiFi:

1.00

Review for Tarpon Basin R48A

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Jan 6, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Pet Friendly:

1

Cell Service:

5

After trying two other anchorages without good holding or wind protection, I wound up here at Tarpon Basin tucked into a northern edge near the mangroves. I was anchored in about 5-6 feet of water and the mangroves completely protected me from the 20+ mph NE wind. Excellent holding. I accessed shore with my pups at a private boat ramp and dock belonging to a boat club that is fenced in from the road. No one was around when I came in around sunset on the day of my arrival. The next morning, there was a fishing boat there waiting to pick up passengers; I suspect he wasn't a club member either. Obviously not the best solution for shore access. Good cell service and I was parked far enough away from the main channel that wake was not an issue.

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Review for Tarpon Basin R48A

Reviewed by: Lawrence Wolfenden on Apr 18, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

5

Shore Access:

2

Cell Service:

4

Holding in the northwest section of the basin was very good. The bottom is claylike mud with easily-penetrated weeds. Depths were 6-8' MLW.

Shore access does appear to be quite limited. There is, however, a public right of way for Kay Drive, north of Avenue D, that extends right to the water's edge (25°6.926'N, 80°25.543'W). It may be necessary to put the dinghy on an anchor and wade to shore to get to land, but this would put you less than a half mile from the Publix.

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Review for Tarpon Basin R48A

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Feb 7, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

1

Holding:

3

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

2

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Pet Friendly:

1

Cell Service:

4

WiFi:

1

Not sure how a county building paid for with county funds with a dock gets that dock fenced off by the city or Key Largo. Will not be spending a penny on any business in Key Largo until this is resolved. No good shore access in this area. Locals tie up in the mangroves and climb through them to get to shore.

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Review for Tarpon Basin R48A

Reviewed by: Len Barton on Jun 10, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 41'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

2

Wind Protection:

3

Wake Protection:

1

We anchored on the other side of the cut near marker 54 in strong east winds.
Fairly comfortable but we did drag anchor in the night. So did the boat traveling with us.

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Review for Tarpon Basin R48A

Reviewed by: Martin Dahm on Apr 10, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
Draft: 0.0'

Overall Rating:

1

: FYI...as of 4/5/2019, signs have been posted at Nelson Government Building prohibiting overnight parking without a county permit, tying up to the dock or trees or mooring within 25 feet of the dock. These new regulations are effective 4/15/2019. Monroe County has officially rolled up the welcome mat to the cruising community.

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Review for Tarpon Basin R48A

Reviewed by: Capt. Sterling on Apr 5, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

2

Holding:

2

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Pet Friendly:

1

Cell Service:

4

WiFi:

1

The government center NO LONGER allows dockage for dinghys, or any vessels. No shore access. Holdind is much better just south across the icw in charted deeper water

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