Camping on Anclote Key

[unlvrebel]

As the title says, went camping on Anclote Key this past weekend. Haven't been camping in better than 25 years but figured what the heck, let's give it a shot.

It was just the Admiral and me. We wanted to bring the dogs but the park has a strict prohibition on dogs on the Key. We had a decent breeze most of the evening which kept the mosquitos away. Gotta say that I felt a little uncomfortable leaving the boat anchored offshore over night. Not that I thought anyone was going to come up and steal it, but the surf/chop was a bit rough. Every so often the bow would take a bit of water. Maybe a cup to a half gallon every twenty minutes. Thank goodness for auto-bilge. By about eleven the wind and seas stared to calm down a little. I never bothered getting up to check on the boat 'cause I figured if it wasn't there I wouldn't be able to do much about it until morning!

We were pretty much alone. There was another group about 3 - 400 yards to the south and that was it. We set up camp with a tent, a fire, chairs, grill and a backgammon board. All in all it was a good night. Although my back is a little sore... I would do it again with a group of folks. We wanted to camp on Three Rooker, but the park service forbids camping on the sandbar/island. Sucks as that is where the best protected anchorage is...

 

[chuck1]

Ok, lets see them pictures.

 

[fwebster]

Dude...........you'll be trading for a cruiser before long!

That way you just take the creature comforts with you and you don't worry about the boat's security.

 

[tobnpr]

We usually anchor out on the other side (intracoastal side) near the south end where it's more protected. But it's a dinghy ride to shore because it gets too shallow to get in close.

The infamous "Sandbar" north of Anclote is where many people camp (and a real parking lot on the weekend). Most of it can be underwater on a really high tide, though. Anclote and Caladesi- my two favorite places- and the last of the unspoiled barrier islands on the left coast. Every time I'm out there it reminds me of why I live here...

 

[unlvrebel]

Chuck, no pics. Sorry. I haven't replaced my still camera or my video camera yet after the unfortunate incident by a fellow Sea Ray owner. I'm not in the mood to shell out $1K for video equipment yet. I know, pick up a cheapy digital for $50 - $100 and move on. Guess I'm still a little torqued.

tobnpr, according to our conversation with the park ranger that lives on the island, the only place to legally camp is on the north end of the main key. Maybe I misunderstood him and he said the south end was open for camping as well. We wanted to camp on Three Rooker but were summarily told that is illegal as the entire island is a bird sanctuary. Same with what is left of the north Anclote sandbar. You can hang out there, and have a dog on a six foot lead, but no camping.

Unfortunately, you can't bring your dog with you to Anclote Key but can camp there. I would have told him that was just dumb, that I could take my dog one place and not sleep there and can sleep in another place but not take my dog there but I didn't think he would appreciate the intelligence of that argument!