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Useppa Island

Location: Pine Island Sound
Mile Marker: Mile 21.6 - GIWW
Lat / Lon: N 26° 39.565' / W 082° 12.990'
Depth: 6-10 Feet
Description:
Located between flashing red daybeacon "60" and red daybeacon "62" near the west side of Useppa Island. This anchorage can sometimes be uncomfortable from wakes of passing boats, especially on weekends, but the scenery is beautiful. It is also somewhat exposed to wind, so caution should be used when anchoring.
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.

4.00

(4)

4.00 out of 5 stars

Holding:

4.50

Good, Sand

Wind Protection:

3.00

Open and Exposed North, Southwest and Wakes

Current Flow:

3.75

Wake Protection:

1.50

Open and Exposed North, Southwest and Wakes

Scenic Beauty:

4.50

Ease of Shopping:

1.00

Shore Access:

2.25

Pet Friendly:

2.00

Cell Service:

4.25

WiFi:

1.00

Review for Useppa Island

Reviewed by: Lawrence Wolfenden on Nov 21, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

2

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

2

Cell Service:

4

It does feel a little tight in here, but it does provide an absolutely gorgeous view and is convenient to both Cabbage Key Inn and Useppa Island.

Cabbage Key Inn has a great restaurant with a rustic, old-Florida feel. Useppa Island is private, but we were lucky enough to have a friend who is a member there, so we were able to taste a bit of what the upper crust has. We spent a half day there just wandering around.

Holding here is solid--we were in 20kt winds all day and didn't budge, so a good set will hold. Except for SSW to SSE and NNW winds, this is actually fairly protected from the winds. And although the SSE winds we experienced had fetch down to the horizon, the shoal and low mangroves just to the south of Useppa provided shelter from any kind of wave action.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Useppa Island

Reviewed by: Tina Pickell on Apr 27, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 62'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

2

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

2

Pet Friendly:

3

Cell Service:

3

WiFi:

1

We enjoy anchoring here to visit Cabbage Key and Cayo Costa. The wakes during the day are fairly strong, but at night the anchorage is quiet. The holding is excellent, but we saw a sailboat anchored near south of Useppa run aground in high winds a couple years ago.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Useppa Island

Reviewed by: John Moore, Claire, on Jan 30, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

2

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

1

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Pet Friendly:

1

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

This just an additional note to previous reviews. Anchor on or north of the anchor symbol. Cables run from Cabbage across the ICW south side of the symbol, and,are not obvious on charts.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Useppa Island

Reviewed by: Laura Stein, Have Another Day , on Mar 24, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 57'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

1

Scenic Beauty:

5

Shore Access:

4

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

Second time anchoring here. Our 5'1" draft is too much to get into Pelican Bay so we anchor here. Our first night we shared the anchorage with maybe 5 boat and today there are just three of us. We are anchored about 500 ft south of the anchor symbol directly across from the entrance channel to Cabbage Key. The boat wake from the ICW channel is awful. But once nightfall hits it's quiet until morning. It hasn't stopped us from sitting on our deck and enjoying looking at beautiful Useppa Island. Easy dinghy ride into Cabbage Key. We went one day to do the trails and today to eat lunch. We then took our dinghy to do the Tunnel of Love. Tied up at the end and walked right onto beautiful Cayo Costa beach. We had the stretch of beach to ourselves. One other boat was back in the Tunnel of Love. Much better than last time when we took the tram across. But if you prefer that it's an easy dinghy ride into Pelican Bay to dock there and walk or tram over to the Gulf side beach. Fabulous stop. Don't skip it!

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer