Punta Gorda to Hudson via the ICW

We ended up staying in Punta Gorda way longer than planned for various reasons. Thunderstorms/hurricane Erika headed our way and looked for sure like we were going to get some of it, which we did in the end, but only rain and some more thunderstorms. Then the bridge at Boca Grande was closed for several weeks! The alternative was a 30 mile sail in the Gulf of Mexico around the bridge. And we had several stops planned for the ICW and chose to wait. Back to Cayo Costa followed by a stop at Boca Grande, a small but interesting and very small town. Boca Grande has a sheltered anchorage and public dock.

Public dock at Boca Grande

Next a stop at Don Pedro State Park for some fossil shark tooth hunting, the entrance is narrow  and shallow but a nice dock with free day use. The beach is nice and we found a few small shark teeth. For the night we sailed to a nearby BAIL suggested anchorage which we rejected due to too little swing room, poor holding and a bit deep. We chose a more exposed area which was shallow (4’) with good holding.

Don Pedro beach has shells!

Don Pedro

A few days of bad weather was forecast so we looked for a more sheltered place to wait it out, a mooring field in Englewood near Chadwick Cove Marina was just right, especially because it was free! Four days later we moved on and did several long days up the ICW to make up some time with overnights wherever we felt OK with regard to weather, depth, currents, etc.

We sailed through 16 opening bridges in total between Boca Grande and Tarpon Springs. Some interesting sights we saw along the way…8 manatees migrating in a small group, Tampa Skyway Bridge with freighters and a cruise ship in the channel, Venice main canal and the beautiful houses along the shoreline, Caladesi Island State Park, and many groups of migrating birds from tiny shorebirds to storks.

A Florida holiday shack

Locals off Caledesi Island

Caledesi Island Marina, $6 for day use

View from Anclote Key

Heading north from Anclote Key we ran into a cold front with strong northeasterly winds and small craft advisories. We decided to head into Hudson to sit it out.

Port Hudson Marina