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Whale Key Lagoon

Location: Longboat Key
Lat / Lon: N 27° 23.397' / W 082° 37.508'
Depth: 6 - 8 feet
Tide: 2 feet
Description:
The shoals forming this lagoon offer 360° protection from waves and wakes. Access is via carefully skirting the west end of the charted sandbar. Although there is no windbreak, it offers a quiet, secluded spot to layover only 4 nm from Sarasota. Depth is 6-8'. There is only enough room for two or three boats.
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:

5.00

Excellent holding

Wind Protection:

3.00

Current Flow:

5.00

Wake Protection:

5.00

Scenic Beauty:

4.50

Ease of Shopping:

1.00

Cell Service:

4.50

WiFi:

1.00

Review for Whale Key Lagoon

Reviewed by: Dick Heusinkveld on Feb 24, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

We took a straight line into the bay from the magenta line,follow charts carefully. The water gets deeper past the sandbar off Whale Key. We never saw less than 4 feet below our keel at mid-tide, we draw 3.5 feet. We anchored in the middle of the bay with 8 feet below our keel. Watch for crab pots. Peaceful night, wind moved us around but the water stayed calm. Anchor came up easily in the morning.

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Review for Whale Key Lagoon

Reviewed by: Lawrence Wolfenden on Nov 12, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

2

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

4

Cell Service:

4

Spent two days here with a strong (20-25kt) NE wind. There was no escape from the wind, but despite the 2-1/2 miles of fetch, there was barely a ripple inside this little lagoon due to the shoal/bar that form it.

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