Monday, April 30, 2012

North Anclote Sandbar

 If you haven't been to this beach it is by far one of the greatest secluded (BOAT ACCESSIBLE ONLY) Beaches in the Tampa, St. Petersburg area.
  If you get there after 10am your going to be looking for parking since there are so many boats it can get quite crowded, however everyone's a boater there so everyone is willing to lend a hand to get you anchored in.

 The East side, or inner coastal side is the best parking since the water is deep enough in most places to get your boat right up to shore. Make sure you have an AFT anchor. so you can back in and line up with the other boats
 . Once your there though the water is excellent, the inner coastal water has a small beach area and then turns to shallow sea grass. The Northern and Southern tips are typically pretty crowded since it they are by some of the nicer shallow water wading areas.
 The Sandbar is only about 20 yards wide at it's widest and the white Florida Sand and turquoise water on the Gulf side reminds me of the Caribbean. The shallow water on the South tip is shallow for a long long ways out and you could literally almost walk to Anclote Key from here.
 Another unique feature of this beach is the fact that Red Sea Urchins are regularly found on the East side of the island and when they die their shells get crushed up and literally make the sand look pink. It is


 If you get a chance to make it to this beach or plan to rent a boat for the weekend I recommend going out of Anclote River and turning North and once your past Anclote Key you will see the small island.