Reviews: Fort McRee

Review for Fort McRee

Reviewed by: Anne Hartley, Nautical Gypsy, on Dec 7, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.0'

Beautiful location! Anchor easy to set and held all night. Wind was from NNE on arrival with gusts to 25 mph, very good protection, suspect good protection from the south as well, less protection from winds from due east/west. No boat wake at all. 2-3 bars for cell phone-ATT. I didn't launch the dinghy because it was cold, but others in the anchorage did, easy sand beaches! My Garmin Chart plotter indicated a depth of 2' MLW from western approach, entered between the 2 no wake signs and approach depths 8-10' at absolute low tide. Inside basin depths 10-15'. I'm told by locals you can exit on the eastern end but it looked too shallow for my vessel.
Date of stay 12/6-7/2024

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Fort McRee

Reviewed by: ky on Jan 17, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.2'

This gunk hole is awesome! been here quite a few times now. Easy access, quiet, good holding, great protection, blue angel fly overs, white sand, clear water, may be best anchorage ive been to yet!

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Fort McRee

Reviewed by: Jodi Cavanaugh, Dos Gatos Locos, on Dec 27, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.0'

One of my favorite anchorages.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Fort McRee

Reviewed by: Mona Dyke, Summer Fling, on Dec 18, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.5'

Great anchorage! 2 of us rafted & held beautifully for 4 nights waiting out wind & storms east of us. Sandy bottom. 7-10 feet. Highlight was Blue Angels flyover several times! Plenty of room for more boats. There were 6 boats one night. We went ashore to explore the fort ruins.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Fort McRee

Reviewed by: Hale Walker, Gayle Anne, on Nov 16, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 60'
Draft: 5.0'

Wow! Absolutely beautiful! I'm 60' with a 5' draft. Plenty of depth and swing room for half a dozen boats easy. Plenty of day boats using the beach but great quiet anchorage as night approaches.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Fort McRee

Reviewed by: John Highsmith, CAT O' MINE, on May 9, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 26'
Draft: 2.5'

Capt Alysee is WRONG, The penalty for taking a dog or pet (even with a leash) on GINS is $70 per dog per instance. So DON'T DO IT! KEEP YOUR DOG ON YOUR BOAT, EVEN WHEN IT'S NOT BIRD NESTING SEASON!

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Per the park website:
  Pets are not allowed in the following areas:
  - On all park beaches gulf and bay side, and in water less than five feet in Florida according to state law.
  - On all beaches of the barrier islands and in water less than five feet in Mississippi according to state law.
  - In all forts and facilities such as pavilions, fishing/ferry piers, and visitor centers.
  - On top of historic structure like sea walls, forts, and batteries.
  
  Rules for areas pets are permitted:
  - Pets must remain on a leash, no longer than six feet, at all times.
  - For health reasons, owners must clean up after pets.
  - Pets are welcome on trails, multi-use paths, or on the park roads.
  - Pets may be tied to fixed objects in the campgrounds if the leash is less than 6 feet long.
  - Horses may be ridden only on the trails and fire roads of the Naval Live Oaks area, north of U.S. Highway 98.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Fort McRee

Reviewed by: Russell Oakes, Fleur de Lis, on Mar 18, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 5.0'

Absolutely love this anchorage. You're protected from almost anything. The eastern entry has filled in for all but the shallowest draft boats so very little traffic from that direction. The entire cove is a no wake zone and I've not seen anyone violate that. We had a manatee swim directly under the boat last year on a weekday while it was mostly quiet. It does get crowded on the weekend but things settle down quickly at sunset.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Fort McRee

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel on Feb 27, 2022
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Absolutely fabulous anchorage! Approach from the west by deviating south off the GICW to head straight into the opening south of Robertson Island. If coming from the east make sure to go about 300 yards past the end of the island before turning south towards the entrance as the tail of Robertson island extends quite some distance. Enter between the two "No Wake" signs in no less than 12' of water MLW. There are clearly visible shoals off northern and southern entrance points. Do not try to enter from the east as the entrance has shoaled in. Anchorage has a minimum depth of 10' MLW with room for at least 10 40' boats with ample swing room for all. Anchorage is busy on weekends but is large enough that whatever noises are there are muted. Possible wakes from small craft until dark but anchorage quiets down very quickly. Excellent protection from all directions except the west here protection is only good. Any number of excellent sandy beach stretches on the north and south sides and, at low tide, to the east. Good to very good cellular reception for the big three including 5G. Excellent holding in sand. Definitely a first choice anchorage immediately off the GIWW.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Fort McRee

Reviewed by: Capt. Jeff Gephart on Jan 25, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 4.6'

This has to be one of the most beautiful anchorages I have dropped anchor in. It was easy to access with a 4.6' draft boat. We were there in January and the only ones there, but I have been by there in July and it was packed. Watch your chart plotter and stay between the no-wake makers when you approach. in the cove, you will have 9 to 10' to anchor in.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Fort McRee

Reviewed by: Bryan Nichols, Sv Carpe Vinum , on Nov 25, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 37'
Draft: 5.5'

An absolute must for cruisers or loopers. Make sure your water tanks are full when you get here and batteries are charged. Stay between the no wake buoys coming in from the West and anchor almost anywhere.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Fort McRee

Reviewed by: Capt Bruce, Twisted Angel , on Jun 26, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Well known and used by locals. AT&T data service is sporadic, TMobile is adequate, Verizon is best.
Well protected with westerlies being the worst.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Fort McRee

Reviewed by: Chris Caldwell, AskCaptainChris, on Jul 3, 2016
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Great anchorage, dinghy to beaches, walk dogs on bay or Gulf, watch the Navy planes fly overhead. The base is just across the ICW on the mainland. Verizon cell service.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer