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Cortez Bridge West Side

Location: Bradenton Beach
Mile Marker: Mile 87.1 - GIWW
Lat / Lon: N 27° 27.945' / W 082° 41.630'
Depth: 4-8 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.

3.75

(4)

3.75 out of 5 stars

Holding:

4.75

Excellent, Sand

Wind Protection:

3.75

Somewhat Exposed South Through Southeast and Wakes

Current Flow:

3.25

Wake Protection:

3.00

Somewhat Exposed South Through Southeast and Wakes

Scenic Beauty:

3.25

Ease of Shopping:

4.00

Shore Access:

4.50

Pet Friendly:

4.50

Cell Service:

4.50

WiFi:

1.00

Review for Cortez Bridge West Side

Reviewed by: Michael Bruhn on Jan 19, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.5'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

3

Ease of Shopping:

4

Shore Access:

4

Cell Service:

4

Very skinny water in here and lots of crab pots and live aboard. We found a spot but found we had snagged an old broken crab pot. The dingy dock at the Bridge Tender Inn was great. Food drinks and music were also terrific. There was another dingy dock south of the Inn that you could also use. Bridge road is charming with lots of bars, shops and restaurants. We could hear live music from 3 locations on a Thursday night.

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Review for Cortez Bridge West Side

Reviewed by: Lawrence Wolfenden on Nov 9, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

2

Scenic Beauty:

2

Ease of Shopping:

2

Shore Access:

4

Cell Service:

4

This anchorage offers good holding with decent protection from all winds other than SSE which has fetch nearly 11 miles to Sarasota. The north end tends to be well-populated with semi-permanent vessels--many not manned and some of which could be considered derelict--but there is still normally room available.

Be careful of the shoal to between the anchorage and the ICW. It is best to either use the marina channel marked by private day beacons or proceed through the charted channel which runs nearly due north from the end of the public pier toward the west end of the bridge.

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Review for Cortez Bridge West Side

Reviewed by: Brian Chapin, Tug Life, on Apr 4, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 25'
Draft: 2.5'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

Good anchorage on both sides of ICW souh of bridge. You'll find a dozen boats anchored in both locations - many of them long term. Choose your side based on wind direction. Very good holding in mud. We anchored in 8 ft near USCG dock on east side. Noise from bridge not an issue. Wake not a problem being closer to shore and none during the night.

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Review for Cortez Bridge West Side

Reviewed by: Ross Wiltse on Nov 23, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 2.9'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

3

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

4

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

Holding is good heavy mud. Wind protection would be from West on the Bradenton Beach side and East from the Cortez side. It is on the ICW, so lots of wake during the day. Some good dockside places to eat on both sides of the ICW. Access to Bradeton Beach as well from restaurant docks. Cell service seems to be fine. It is worth the stop over.

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