Waterway Guide | Reviews

Review Now

These are observations from the boating community. Waterway Guide information is verified regularly and all efforts will be made to validate any new updates submitted here. Thank you for taking the time to share comments about your experience.

Waterway Guide reserves the option of editing reviews and comments for grammar, clarity and the removal of defamatory or potentially slanderous language. When appropriate, reviews are forwarded to businesses for response prior to being made public. We will make every effort to be objective and impartial when posting reviews, but do not publicize details of disputes between parties.

Thanks for your valuable feedback!

Shark River Island North

Location: Ponce de Leon Bay
Lat / Lon: N 25° 20.619' / W 081° 08.320'
Depth: 8 - 10
Tide: 2 feet
Description:
Anchored in 8-10 feet of water on the North side of Shark River Island. You can get much closer to shore than the charts indicate and still have plenty of water here. This is a good spot to get out of southerly winds. Our 55lb Mantus set with no issue and held great through 20+ knot winds from the south. Very well protected. This is in Everglades National Park so pay your park fee before arrival. No cell, WiFi etc here. Some bugs. Consider this as you get close to shore. The Back country is beautiful here. Definitely take out your dinghy or kayaks for some exploration. Good amount of wildlife and birders will enjoy this spot. Recommended stop between Marco Island and Florida Bay.
NOTE: Per Florida Statute 327.4109

The owner or operator of a vessel or floating structure may not anchor or moor such that the nearest approach of the anchored or moored vessel or floating structure is:
1. Within 150 feet of any marina, boat ramp, boatyard, or other vessel launching or loading facility;
2. Within 300 feet of a superyacht repair facility. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "superyacht repair facility" means a facility that services or repairs a yacht with a water line of 120 feet or more in length; or
3. Within 100 feet outward from the marked boundary of a public mooring field or a lesser distance if approved by the commission upon request of a local government within which the mooring field is located. The commission may adopt rules to implement this subparagraph.

Holding:

4.00

Wind Protection:

4.00

Current Flow:

2.00

Wake Protection:

2.00

Scenic Beauty:

5.00

Ease of Shopping:

1.00

Shore Access:

2.00

Cell Service:

1.00

WiFi:

1.00

Review for Shark River Island North

Reviewed by: Lawrence Wolfenden on Apr 26, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

2

Wake Protection:

2

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

2

Cell Service:

1

WiFi:

1

There is plenty of room here for many boats, but you'll be lucky to see two others (and those are likely to be sports anglers casting near shore). This specific location offers good protection from NE through S winds. For all-around protection, hide on the south side of Shark River Island at the other marked anchorage, or run farther up Shark River past the bend to the north. In all cases, you will probably want to be buttoned up inside with all screens in place as soon as the sun sets: the mosquitoes here are overwhelming.

Also, unless there are near-gale winds, you are likely to be lying to the tidal and/or river flow, so you may not be getting the ventilation you are accustomed to.

The trade off is the natural beauty and solitude here. It is relaxing and peaceful--just the respite we needed after motoring for 8 hours with no breeze from Boot Key.

Although there is no wake protection, it's not much of an issue because there's no one around to create a wake. And the only bars you'll find might be sand bars (though we found no problematic shoaling): no drinking bars or cellular bars for tens of miles.

We couldn't a good read on the bottom type, but our Mantus set quickly and firmly. We didn't budge overnight and the anchor came up clean.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer