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Thorton Key

Location: Stump Pass
Mile Marker: Mile 40.9 - GIWW
Lat / Lon: N 26° 53.920' / W 082° 20.220'
Depth: 6-8 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.

Holding:

5.00

Excellent, Sandy Mud

Wind Protection:

3.00

All Around

Current Flow:

3.00

Wake Protection:

3.00

All Around

Scenic Beauty:

4.00

Ease of Shopping:

1.00

Shore Access:

4.00

Pet Friendly:

4.00

Cell Service:

5.00

Review for Thorton Key

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Jan 30, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

4

Pet Friendly:

4

Cell Service:

5

After being told by the Sheriff's office that I couldn't anchor overnight at Manasota Key - Peterson Island (see my review; I stayed two nights without anyone bothering me) for reasons that honestly made no sense, I decided to reposition about 8/10 mile southeast to this anchorage. It's within a No Wake/Manatee Protection area, although I didn't see any manatees. (I did see dolphins, however.) The main difference between the two anchorages is that this one has a lot less boat traffic and a lot more no-see-ums, at least in the evening.

Other than less wake, the main benefit of this anchorage is its easy access to a real beach that is not part of a park. Simply dinghy back toward the main channel and around the bend as if you're exiting to the Gulf. There are homes set back on the left with a wide beach in front of them. This is apparently open to the public, since it was mobbed with boaters on Sunday and there are no signs warning off trespassers. I landed there with my pups and, for the first time on this trip, they had a good run on a Florida beach without any worries of me being yelled at. (Folks, when you take your pets ashore, PLEASE pick up their poop and take it away with you. It's irresponsible pet owners that lead to the NO DOGS signs we see.) It was also a great beach for picking up sea shells or taking a jog or long walk. (I was pleasantly surprised to see how CLEAN it was after such heavy use the day before. No garbage at all.)

The tidal current here is noticeably strong, probably due to its proximity to Stump Pass, but I had good holding in about 6 feet of water with 50 feet of chain out. This spot gave me the most pronounced experience of tidal swing; at exactly high tide the boat basically pivoted in place, turning 180° in about two minutes before drifting backwards to take up slack in the anchor chain. At exactly low tide, it did it again, although more slowly.

Cell service here was amazing with 4-bar LTE/4G/5G on Verizon and Google Fi. While it's easy enough to get to shore, there's no shopping there.

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