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Indian Key - Russell Pass

Location: Gulf of Mexico
Mile Marker: Mile 62.5 - Florida West Coast
Lat / Lon: N 25° 49.900' / W 081° 26.550'
Depth: 7-15 Feet
Description:
Anchor shortly after entering Indian Key Pass, just northwest of flashing green 7 in Russell Pass in at least 7 feet at MLW. For more wind protection, proceed farther up Russell Pass to where it opens up to the south for 7- to 8-foot MLW depths. Make sure you avoid the uncharted pocket or you could find yourself on the bottom at low tide.
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.

4.00

(6)

4.00 out of 5 stars

Holding:

5.00

Good, Mud

Wind Protection:

4.17

Somewhat Exposed Southwest

Current Flow:

3.17

Wake Protection:

4.50

Somewhat Exposed Southwest

Scenic Beauty:

5.00

Ease of Shopping:

1.20

Shore Access:

1.75

Pet Friendly:

2.00

Cell Service:

3.00

WiFi:

1.00

Review for Indian Key - Russell Pass

Reviewed by: Steven Smith on Jan 14, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 31'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Pet Friendly:

1

Cell Service:

2

WiFi:

1

Agree with all of the prior reviews. One bar of 5G AT&T. Current brisk but overall not bad. Easy access which allowed us to escape the swells in the gulf on our way to Marathon. Plenty of room and a nice place to do a little unplanned electrical work, too.

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Review for Indian Key - Russell Pass

Reviewed by: Cindy Winton on Apr 16, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.5'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

5

Cell Service:

4

Absolutely beautiful anchorage- great holding - well marked Indian pass- we went pretty far up Russel Pass and anchored in plenty deep water - do be prepared with insect repellent

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Review for Indian Key - Russell Pass

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel on Mar 20, 2022
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

2

Shore Access:

2

Pet Friendly:

2

Cell Service:

3

Strategically located about half way between the Caloosahatchee River Entrance (Mile Marker 0 on the Florida GICW and the Keys, this is an excellent stopping point for those who just want to get to the Keys. Russel Pass is just before Green "7" and about a mile up for R "4" at the entrance to the channel. In all but Southwest winds, you can anchor to the north of the channel between R '4" and R "6" in 10+ feet of water MLW to the north of the channel. For those of us who happen on the anchorage when the waves are rolling in, move off the channel to the north just before Green "7" mid channel with a minimum of 8 feet of water MLW on the bar, opening up to a large anchorage with at a minimum, 10 feet of depth MLW with plenty of space for at least six to eight 40 foot vessels. The pass still has a significant current and be prepared to swing with the four foot tide that runs through the anchorage. There is no immediate shore access possible but there are exposed areas at low tide 1.5 miles back towards to Gulf to walk the pup. Also, if you are going to spend some time, it is a 4 mile dinghy ride up the Chocolosskee to Everglades City for a walk around an a lunch. 5 G cell coverage is good for ATT and T-Mobile and Verizon signal (we have not upgraded to 5-G) is good also.

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Review for Indian Key - Russell Pass

Reviewed by: Patricia And Steven Stanley, Calypso, on Feb 6, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Pet Friendly:

1

Cell Service:

4

WiFi:

1

This was a beautiful anchorage. Dolphins welcomed us. We had no problems with the anchor or bugs (the wind probably kept them at bay). There were 2 other boats and a sailboat close to shore had to anchor again. The current caused us to spin around several times (we saw the track on Nebo). This was a great place to anchor prior to our 10 hour cruise to Marathon. We got an early start and used our radar and GPS to navigate the channel prior to sunrise. Nice!

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Review for Indian Key - Russell Pass

Reviewed by: John Tyrell on Jan 28, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.7'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Cell Service:

2

It was a calm night so we didn't go further up Russell Pass. Two other boats anchored after us but there was probably room for another 50. We were not waked at all on a Thursday afternoon/ evening. Weak Verizon signal but strong enough to stream Netflix. Dolphin playing at dusk. Very peaceful and easy.

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Review for Indian Key - Russell Pass

Reviewed by: brian richard, Windchaser, on Mar 25, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 31'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

3

Pet Friendly:

4

Cell Service:

3

WiFi:

1

Russell Pass is a very scenic and quiet South Florida mangrove environment. Water in main channels is generally deep (7-20'). Holding is good and boat traffic was low. Even in winter be prepared for no-see-ums when the wind dies down. Access to marinas, fuel and stores is quite limited after Irma. Only two marinas are open (Port of the Islands and Everglades Isles) but approach depth is restricted to 4-4.5'. Suggest Bahamian mooring to deal with the tidal currents.

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