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Desoto Point (Holy Hole)

Location: Manatee River
Mile Marker: Mile 93 - GIWW
Lat / Lon: N 27° 31.360' / W 082° 38.485'
Depth: 9-10 Feet
Description: Local name for the anchorage is the "Holy Hole". Reference the three crosses on the shore

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

(5)

4.00 out of 5 stars

Holding:

4.60

Good, Hard Mud

Wind Protection:

3.40

Open and Exposed Northeast Through North

Current Flow:

4.00

Wake Protection:

2.40

Open and Exposed Northeast Through North

Scenic Beauty:

4.20

Ease of Shopping:

2.50

Shore Access:

4.20

Pet Friendly:

4.40

Cell Service:

4.75

WiFi:

1.00

Review for Desoto Point (Holy Hole)

Reviewed by: Lawrence Wolfenden on Nov 7, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

2

Wake Protection:

2

Scenic Beauty:

4

Shore Access:

3

Pet Friendly:

4

Cell Service:

4

A fairly well protected anchorage with great holding. There are several boats that anchor here on a semi-permanent basis, sometimes including a floating bait shop, but it is never too crowded to find a spot to drop your hook.

The national park ashore is focused on Hernando DeSoto's exploration of Florida as he landed in this area in 1539, supposedly anchoring here in the mouth of the Manatee River. Access is by beaching one's dinghy, and there are walking trails (pets allowed) throughout the 26 acres of the park, along with a small museum.

Although exposed to north-to-east winds, the fetch across the river is much less than one finds in the bay, so this is a great spot to hide out in almost any storm; as noted by other reviewers, if protection from north-to-east winds is an issue the river's north side is also an excellent anchorage.

The channel to the bay passes right next to DeSoto Point, so there is quite a bit of near-constant traffic on the weekends, especially late afternoon as people return from the bay. After sundown, however, there is only rarely anyone passing by, so wakes are not an issue overnight.

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Review for Desoto Point (Holy Hole)

Reviewed by: Frank Wendt on Nov 16, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.6'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

3

Shore Access:

4

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

Nice anchorage for watching boats come and go on weekends. The park is very dog friendly and has lots of historical information. Holding is excellent. If winds are north to east we move across the river to Emerson Point area. Also great holding, nice park with trails, still dog friendly and has a floating dinghy dock.

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Review for Desoto Point (Holy Hole)

Reviewed by: Len Barton on Feb 10, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 41'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

2

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

4

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

4

Spent four nights here two of which were Saturday and Sunday.
Nice place as mentioned in other reviews. During daylight wakes are pretty common all day. Weekends are far worse.
We're 30k lbs. displacement. So it takes a pretty strong wake to bother us. There were a few that did. But this is a very nice anchorage.

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Review for Desoto Point (Holy Hole)

Reviewed by: Wendy S Ramsey on Jan 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

2

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

Great anchorage! Mud bottom with good holding. We rode out tropical storm Eta here with no issues. This is a very dog friendly area with a sandy beach. Weekends are busy during the day with small boats and you will get some wakes from the channel. This cove is at Desoto park with great trails and places to explore. One of our favorite spots.

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Review for Desoto Point (Holy Hole)

Reviewed by: Ross Wiltse on Mar 5, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.0'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

2

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

2

Scenic Beauty:

3

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

4

Pet Friendly:

4

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

Decent protection from S, SW winds, exposed N, NE. Good holding, just off main channel, so lots of boat traffic. Need dingy to get ashore.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer