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Key West - Wisteria Island Northwest

Location: Man of War Harbor
Mile Marker: Mile 1245
Lat / Lon: N 24° 34.197' / W 081° 48.789'
Depth: 8-10 Feet
Description:
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.

3.25

(4)

3.25 out of 5 stars

Holding:

3.50

Good, Rocky, Mud

Wind Protection:

2.50

Open and Exposed Northeast Through Southwest

Current Flow:

4.25

Wake Protection:

2.00

Open and Exposed Northeast Through Southwest

Scenic Beauty:

3.25

Ease of Shopping:

3.25

Shore Access:

4.00

Pet Friendly:

4.33

Cell Service:

4.25

WiFi:

1.00

Review for Key West - Wisteria Island Northwest

Reviewed by: Capt. Dave Wiley on May 14, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.5'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

2

Shore Access:

3

Cell Service:

5

We're locals and have spent a few nights here on the hook. It's our "go to" anchorage nearby our home port marina at Ocean's Edge Resort. Tidal flow is strong and will swing your vessel 180 degrees but no problems with our Rocna and chain holding. Some local color living aboard nearby but not disruptive other than occasional dog barking. Nice breezes here and protected on NE to SE winds. Awesome Key West sunset views from this anchorage!

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Review for Key West - Wisteria Island Northwest

Reviewed by: George on Mar 3, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 37'
Draft: 4.5'

Overall Rating:

2

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

1

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

1

Scenic Beauty:

2

Ease of Shopping:

4

Shore Access:

4

Pet Friendly:

4

Cell Service:

3

As mentioned in the other reviews the anchorage is chock-full of all sorts of boats, including submerged and above water wrecks. There were also quite a few moored vessels, not sure where these moorings come but they seem to be long term. Holding was fine in 15-18kt winds. Wind protection is only from the east. Winds during our stay were ESE-SE and there was a constant roll, which worsened during the day once traffic started moving. The wind waves were bad even with us being tucked in fairly close to shore. Shore access is via Key West Bight Marina for $8/day, roughly a mile away.

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Review for Key West - Wisteria Island Northwest

Reviewed by: Jason Spitz, Breathe, on Apr 6, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

3

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

2

Ease of Shopping:

4

Shore Access:

4

Pet Friendly:

4

Cell Service:

4

We stopped for a night on the way to the Dry Tortugas. There is every type of boat from the smallest least maintained to brand new 50 ft catamarans to 80+ foot mega yachts. All anchored closely side by side. Winds are only 10-15 from the SSE. Calm spot for the night but as most review, it’s kind of a free for all with some interesting characters. Did see FL law enforcement checking boats and stickers as we came in. Decent cell phone signals.

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Review for Key West - Wisteria Island Northwest

Reviewed by: Wade Durant, M/V Lazy Libra, on Mar 2, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.3'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

3

Wind Protection:

2

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

1

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

3

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

We stopped here on our return trip from the Dry Tortugas. Let me clarify some of the star ratings:
Holding: We did not have strong seas or wind so we did not have a problem. Other reviews elsewhere indicated there might be challenges with holding.
Wind protection from the east is probably about it. North, West and South are all exposed where we anchored.
Current flow: We're used to Carolina waters so we found the current very light
Wake protection: This area does get used for parasailing and small boats come in and out at a good clip.
Scenery: Perfect sunset view, a wide variety of boats anchor here so definitely interesting, if not always typically beautiful.
Left ease of shopping at a 3 because I don't know where the shopping is, but I hear it is not far from here.
Shore access is the beach on Wisteria. Unpopulated and wide so plenty of room for all. This is why we rate it a 5 for pet friendly.
Cell service was great for us with AT&T.
No wifi here.
We were expecting nothing more than 10kts from the east and south for the overnight we spent here, and rocking a little doesn't bother us, so this was an excellent anchorage for our circumstances. It isn't somewhere I would plan a vacation to...especially after the Dry Tortugas!

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