florida cruise - space coast

[Ididntdoit]

I will be in Fla with the family on the boat next week - I have never boated here before - The boat is at Harbortown Marina on the barge canal (a stone throw from where it was born) What are some good anchorages close by on the indian or banana rivers? Looking for good places to cruise through/by, drop the hook, and/or explore.

 

[trit21]

I don't think the 300 was born in Merritt Island, thought they were made in TN but I could be wrong, but anyway. Going east on the barge canal you will run into the locks, just north of the locks is Ski Island. During the summer there is a lot of traffic there with anchored boat partying. But I think during this time it will probably be pretty empty. This is also the intersection of the Banana river going north and south. I never traversed this area but maybe someone at Harbortown can give you some guidance on that section. Going through the locks brings you to Cape Canaveral, several marinas and the inlet for Cape Canaveral. North shore has cruise ships, south shore has marinas and a couple restaurants. Of course depending on the sea state you can go out the inlet but be careful if going north out the inlet as this can get very shallow due the horn at Cape Canaveral. Study your charts if going north as you have to go out and around the shallows about 10 miles or more. Going south you will have no problems at all.

West along the barge canal lead to the intercoastal waterway. Not much there except houses and scattered marinas you can find in the Waterway Guide. Nice cruising along this stretch of waterway for miles as it is wide but from what I remember not a lot of places to anchor and explore, one of the reasons I moved up to Daytona as there are more places and people to hang with on the hook in protected areas.

 

[floriduramax1]

Daytona as there are more places and people to hang with on the hook in protected areas.

:thumbsup: Rockhouse creek being among my favorites! I haven't ventured south of Mosquito Lagoon since very young. I was wondering if there was anything to see down there. Calling for upper 70's this weekend, I may just spend Christmas on the boat:grin: