Anna Maria Island End of June 2023

[AshleyPro83]

Hello,

We'll be trailering our 275SD to Anna Maria Island for the last full week of June 2023. We have a house on a canal rented already. We don't know much about the area and would love to hear places we should check out on the boat. We did Bimini last year and this group was really helpful with giving good advice on where to try. Any places to avoid? I love to look for shells so best places for shells would be great to know. Thank you!

-Ashley

 

[FX195]

Egmont Key, usually the bay side is smoother, south end
Passage Key is also nice, very shallow, clothing is optional
North of Egmont Key is Bunces Pass and right across is Shell Key. If you want trailer about 50 miles north Anclote Key and Three Rooker Island is nice as well.
-FX

 

[Thermobrett]

Agree. Egmont is our go to when we trailer out that way. We hang on the West side of the island, usually smoother water for anchoring. Anclote is also nice, but the ramp/park is a nightmare.
Egmont 2 weekends ago.

 

[Thermobrett]

I should say be cautious if you plan to run north past Egmont Key to Shell Key and hang at the sandbars. When running on the west side of the island, there is a sandbar the stretches out to the NW about 1.5 miles. At low tide, its very obvious the sand is just below the water. I suggest staying about 2 miles off the west side of the island when running north to clear it.

 

[ToddBarnes]

I'm thinking about trailering to that area of Florida, as well. Where are the best marinas/boat ramps in that area?

 

[FX195]

Fort Desoto Boat ramp in St. Pete or Kingfish Boat ramp in Anna Maria are the ones I like to use.

 

[jocolo21]

There is a Wynham is Sarasota nothing amzing but you can leave the boat in the water for about $40 a day they also have a tiki bar for food and around the corner gas on the water, millenial boat ramp is 3 miles down the road, just make sure you book marina view, not city view, also got trailer parking, its by SRQ airport, from there Ana Maria Passage Key and Fort desoto are 30 mins away

Ramada by Wyndham Sarasota Waterfront - Guest Reservations

As an independent booking service offering over 100,000 hotels worldwide, we can get you the same deals you expect with a bigger travel agency or direct from the hotel.

www.googleadservices.com

 

[Thermobrett]

Fort Desoto Boat ramp in St. Pete or Kingfish Boat ramp in Anna Maria are the ones I like to use.

I love Fort Desoto boat ramp. 10 ramps and ample parking for trucks/trailers and cars.

 

[Thermobrett]

Went on a cruise out of Tampa over the weekend. This is that NW sandbar on the top of Egmont Key. This pic was taken through a window in the gift shop of the cruise ship, but you can see how shallow the water off the island to stay away from.