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Manasota Key - Peterson Island

Location: Stump Pass
Mile Marker: Mile 40.9 - GIWW
Lat / Lon: N 26° 54.265' / W 082° 20.840'
Depth: 5-7 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.

Holding:

3.00

Excellent, Sandy Mud

Wind Protection:

2.00

Somewhat Exposed Northwest and Southeast

Current Flow:

2.50

Wake Protection:

2.00

Somewhat Exposed Northwest and Southeast

Scenic Beauty:

3.00

Ease of Shopping:

1.00

Shore Access:

3.00

Pet Friendly:

2.00

Cell Service:

2.00

WiFi:

1.00

Review for Manasota Key - Peterson Island

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Jan 28, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

3

Cell Service:

3

I can't quite understand that One Star review. It IS an excellent anchorage.

I came in on about a 1/2 tide (rising) following the depth indications on my Garmin chartplotter to stay in the deepest water. I never saw less than 5 feet depth. I anchored just northwest of the anchor icon in 5 feet of water with just 25 feet of chain. I was less than 40 feet from the shore of the island on the northeast side of the channel, so I dropped a stern anchor to minimize swinging. There's very little current but there was plenty of wind during my two-night stay; I stayed right where I parked the entire time. I never touched bottom, even at low tide. And no matter how hard the wind blew, there was never more than a ripple of waves in the channel.

I travel with two small dogs, which is why I picked this anchorage. Satellite views showed beaches on either side of the channel where it would be easy to land a dinghy. It was exactly as pictured. The catch: the beaches on the southwest side of the channel are part of a park and are marked with No Dogs signs. That limited our potty visits to the north side. I'd seen some wildlife there, including a family of raccoons, so I kept my dogs close, cleaned up after them, and made our visits short.

Wildlife is abundant here. In addition to the usual pelicans and egrets, I saw bald eagles, turkey vultures, and the previously mentioned raccoons. At night it's very quiet and dark. I could hear the waves crashing on the other side of the park island.

I was here from Friday though Sunday and can confirm tht there is some boat traffic in the area. It's mostly fishing boats and patio boats, but there's the occasional center console zooming up or down the channel with no regard to what their wake might be doing to parked boats. Still, it wasn't enough to be a nuisance.

WiFi on Verizon and Google Fi were 2 bars. Good enough for email and Internet access, as well as streaming.

I'd definitely come here again.

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Review for Manasota Key - Peterson Island

Reviewed by: Len Barton on Mar 29, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 41'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

1

Holding:

1

Wind Protection:

1

Current Flow:

1

Wake Protection:

1

Scenic Beauty:

1

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Pet Friendly:

1

Cell Service:

1

WiFi:

1

Looks like this would be an excellent anchorage with a few exceptions. I ran aground seven times trying to find more than five feet of water and never got through. A small boat sounded the entire entrance and found barely five feet anywhere. This was at high tide.
This is a very popular spot on weekends. Hoards of Hot Boat folks come and setup on the beach. If your draft is less than five I think this would be a very special anchorage.

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