Reviews: St. James City

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Holding:
4.40
Good, Sand
Wind Protection:
2.83
Open and Exposed East Through Southwest
Current Flow:
3.40
Wake Protection:
1.67
Open and Exposed East Through Southwest
Scenic Beauty:
2.83
Ease of Shopping:
1.67
Shore Access:
1.50
Pet Friendly:
1.40
Cell Service:
4.17
WiFi:
1.67

  • Review for St. James City

    Reviewed by: Scott Gregory, My Happiness, on Sep 8, 2024
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 42'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    3
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    3
    Wake Protection:
    1
    Scenic Beauty:
    2
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    1
    Pet Friendly:
    1
    Cell Service:
    4

    This was just an average anchorage. There is no wake protection, and the fishing boats start before sunrise. Getting ashore was difficult, although we did come ashore at what appeared to be a house under construction that had halted. There was some wind protection, but it didn't make up for the wakes. We set the anchor easily and no concerns for dragging. We were north of the location at 26°29'18.9"N 82°04'50.4"W.

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  • Review for St. James City

    Reviewed by: Lawrence Wolfenden on Nov 22, 2022
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 38'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    2
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    2
    Current Flow:
    3
    Wake Protection:
    1
    Scenic Beauty:
    4
    Ease of Shopping:
    3
    Shore Access:
    2
    Cell Service:
    4

    We anchored here for about one day and had a pleasant run up the main canal in St. James City to a couple of restaurants and the St. James General Store. The anchorage had good holding and plenty of room, but the near-constant wakes from people who appear to be making up time from transiting the Miserable Mile made this location pretty miserable as well, until dark when we finally got some relief (and this was during a weekday).

    There is good protection from a NW to NE wind, but not from the other points. Wave action is diminished from almost all points due to the surrounding shoals.

    Perhaps we should have moved to the far western end, near York Island and St. James Point, the wake issue would have gone away.

    One should note that there is a pipeline area which runs from Pine Island to Sanibel. ICW marker 12 is close to the center of this 3/10 nm-wide zone which runs SE by S (~150°), so it would be prudent to drop anchor at least a quarter-mile west of ICW marker 11A (remain west of the private Paradise Canal daybeacons).

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  • Review for St. James City

    Reviewed by: David Rowe on Sep 7, 2022
    LOA: 38'
    Draft: 3.5'

    Overall Rating:
    3
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    1
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    1
    Pet Friendly:
    1
    Cell Service:
    5

    Did it once. Probably wouldn't do it again. Too close to the Miserable Mile to be anything but annoying.

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  • Review for St. James City

    Reviewed by: Scott LaPointe, Heliopause, on Feb 8, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 56'
    Draft: 4.3'

    Overall Rating:
    3
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    1
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    1
    Pet Friendly:
    1
    Cell Service:
    5
    WiFi:
    1

    Comfortable in a northern wind although wake from many boats during the day. Lots of room for larger vessels. 13ft deep and good hold. Watch for crab pots.

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  • Review for St. James City

    Reviewed by: Rick grabski, Taking Time, on Jun 3, 2021
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 37'
    Draft: 4.8'

    Overall Rating:
    3
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Wake Protection:
    3
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Ease of Shopping:
    2
    Shore Access:
    2
    Pet Friendly:
    2
    Cell Service:
    3
    WiFi:
    2

    Nice overnight anchor stop. Sailed from Punta Gorda to St. James, about 8 hours. Nice place.

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  • Review for St. James City

    Reviewed by: Rick grabski, Taking Time, on Jun 3, 2021
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 37'
    Draft: 4.8'

    Overall Rating:
    3
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    3
    Wake Protection:
    3
    Scenic Beauty:
    2
    Ease of Shopping:
    2
    Shore Access:
    2
    Pet Friendly:
    2
    Cell Service:
    4
    WiFi:
    2

    Good holding, nice place to stop for overnight anchor.

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