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!

JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Location: San Carlos Bay
Mile Marker: Mile 5.3 - GIWW
Lat / Lon: N 26° 28.308' / W 082° 05.667'
Depth: 5-6 Feet
Description:
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.

4.29

(7)

4.29 out of 5 stars

Holding:

4.86

Good, Sand

Wind Protection:

3.43

Open and Exposed Northwest Through East

Current Flow:

3.86

Wake Protection:

3.71

Open and Exposed Northwest Through East

Scenic Beauty:

4.86

Ease of Shopping:

1.00

Shore Access:

1.57

Pet Friendly:

2.17

Cell Service:

3.86

WiFi:

1.83

Review for JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Reviewed by: David Mann, Now or Never, on Jan 5, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.7'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Pet Friendly:

1

Cell Service:

4

WiFi:

1

This is a beautiful place to drop an anchor for an afternoon or evening. There are wakes to contend with but they're not bad since most are either slow cruising or on plane thus creating minimal wakes from a distance. Good holding combined with distance from the channel makes for good sleeping. Watch the crab pots coming in. The water is shallow but does not change depth quickly.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Reviewed by: , Bill’s Buzz, on Jan 2, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
Draft: 0.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Pet Friendly:

2

Cell Service:

4

WiFi:

1

This is a good place to anchor for lunch. Beautiful, quiet surroundings.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Reviewed by: Michael Praizner on Feb 12, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.6'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Pet Friendly:

1

Cell Service:

3

WiFi:

1

We have anchored in the area several times. It is a beautiful area with good fishing that is far enough from the ICW (also known as the miserable mile as boat traffic is horrendous near Ft Myers). It is beat to anchor farther east of the point indicated in 8-10 feet of water and closer to the Tarpon Bay entrance. There's is much roll there.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Reviewed by: Bill Sheridan, Let Time Go Lightly, on Apr 28, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Pet Friendly:

1

Cell Service:

3

WiFi:

3

Isolated anchorage, separated from the GIWW so minimal wakes. Good protection from all but easterly winds from Pine Island Sound. Plenty of room for dozens of boats with good space to swing. Mangrove shores prevent any access to Sanibel Island.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Reviewed by: Daniel L, LUMU, on Feb 4, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Cell Service:

5

Nice cove, decently protected, some wake from boats in the channel, lots of space with easy access to the park, depths never went below 7' for us.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Reviewed by: David m on Apr 15, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 35'
Draft: 3.5'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Pet Friendly:

3

Cell Service:

3

WiFi:

1

Easy axcess. 5–6 for a long way in. Watch for south shoal(on chart).
Great protection except NNE.
Little wake effect from ICW.
Beautiful scenery. Needed my dinghy (punctured by a catfish!!). Beautiful little coves around. Fun time.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Reviewed by: Thomas JAMIESON on Feb 22, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

4

Exposed to East through North winds. Good 6'+ depth even though low tide. Room for lots of boats. Great holding. Several pods of dolphins entertained us. Far enough off channel where wakes were of no concern. Easy access off channel, watch charts while entering for one shallow shoal.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer