Free Dock Review for Downtown Pensacola Public Dock

Reviewed by: Alex Martino on Nov 10, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 31'
Draft: 3.4'

Rating: 2

This dock had me very confused at first. Upon arrival, it's hard to tell where you're supposed to go. There are no cleats, just a small conctete piling about 2ft tall with grooves in it to catch your lines. This place is not fit for any boat bigger than 34ft, the bend in the middle makes sure of it. Make sure you don't approach said middle corner as it's silted in with gravel and shells, and it's only 3ft deep. I only felt my prop and rudder hit bottom there when I arrived. The water clarity is surprisingly good, you can see almost all the way to the bottom, which is how I saw the shoaled in corner. Something about it felt off, you really get the feeling you're not supposed to be there despite it being free and there being signage (1 small white sign) indicating where to dock. During my very brief stay there (12 hours) coming in from offshore, I pulled up early in the morning around 4am and walked to the nearest gas station to get smokeless nicotine which took about 45 minutes (could make it in 30 but I was tired). Came back, ate, took a nap, and within an hour another boat had pulled in behind me leaving me very little room to maneuver. I fell back asleep, exhausted after sailing offshore for 5 days solo with no autopilot, and by 4pm some lady from the local dock was outside taking pictures of my boat and acting like she was getting ready to call the police like she owned the place (the gentleman that manages this space for the city is on vacation anyways, so no way to get a permit even if I wanted to).
Not much foot traffic except a few teenagers skating in the area (they were very quiet and respectful) and the dock tenants next door (where the lady came from). It's very quiet and hidden from street view, so most people don't go back there.
Very accessible if you like high fashion shopping, expensive bars and restaurants, basically all downtown city area stuff is accessible here, but otherwise it's kind of a terrible spot. No amenities at to speak of, just a place to tie off to that's close to the city. I'd be careful to lock everything up here.
That lady that took pictures of my boat never said anything or tried to run me off, but I really don't like that she was taking pictures of my boat without permission, it made me think she might have had malicious intent. The other boater that pulled up let me know that when the winds are out of the northeast, they get funneled by the adjacent office building into the slips and they'll make your boat heel over while docked. Very dangerous.

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Anchorage Review for Bayou Chico - Pensacola

Reviewed by: Alex Martino on Nov 10, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 31'
Draft: 3.4'

Bayou Chico was a surprisingly quiet anchorage with very little boat traffic. Winds out of the north came in and whipped up to 20 kts constant gusting to 60kts on occasion for a couple days, but in the bay it was 30kts constant and 75-80mph gusts. Somehow, I didn't drag an inch. The bottom is mud and holds really, really well, just make sure to shake it off in the water before bringing it back onboard. There's a couple of derelict boats that were dragging anchor but seemed to get caught on each other. Rode out the freeze watch here as well, and the water stayed somewhat warm but still very cold. Didn't see any gators, but it's winter so take that with a grain of salt. Got harassed by a pod of dolphins while paddleboarding to shore. Pensacola Marine Center has Diesel at 3.75 a gallon plus tax, and they'll fill up your water tanks if you ask nicely. Local bar a short ride up the bayou to the bridge. Be careful leaving your tender ashore, someone had theirs stolen by someone during my stay. Water clarity is surprisingly good, can almost see to the bottom when setting anchor. Cell service with Verizon is 5 bars 5G UW. Great place for conference calls, remote work, etc. Worry free anchoring at night, but definitely a bit crowded for my taste.

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Bridge comment on Sen. Ted Hickey (Seabrook) Bridge

Comment by: Alex Martino on Nov 3, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 31'

the operator is very kind, the curfew is strictly enforced, calling ahead a few hours doesn't make a difference, they say to wait till morning. direct phone number is (504)243-1409. Seabrook marina is around the corner, but the bridge doesn't mind if you tie up to the inner wall at night. make sure to check weather before heading out as once you're out there, you're kinda stuck out there for a while. the break wall on the lake side is deep enough for 5ft draft boats, but no cleats to tie off.

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Bridge comment on CSX Railroad Swing Bridge

Comment by: Alex Martino on Nov 3, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 31'

operator almost never answers on 13, it is called Rigolets railroad bridge, pronounced Wrigleys. phone number is 2285910139

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