Anclote Key

Photo: lighthouse on south end

Anclote key is so large that you'll have to decide which end to visit. The north and south ends both have a lot to see, and visiting them both in one day is impractical.

South End: This is where the park ranger is stationed with a dock and boardwalk to the lighthouse which was built in 1887. The ranger has a private residence near the lighthouse, so don't bother him there unless it's an emergency. He can be reached by calling (727) 638 4447. Jutting off of the south end of the key is a sandbar about 1/3 of a mile long that is a great spot for shell collecting. There are eagle and osprey nests in the maritime forest by the lighthouse.

Photo: South Anclote Key (easy landings)

Anclote Key has only been around for about 1000 years, and is still growing in size. The most predominant tree found on the key is the Australian pine. These shallow rooted trees can withstand salty conditions, but aren't very wind resistant, so you will find some of them blown down in places. There are, of course, mangroves mostly on the eastern inshore side in the mid portion of the key. There is one smaller key just off of the main key called Dutchman Key, it is privately owned and may still have the for sale signs up. Hopefully, the state will buy it and keep it from being developed. For anyone trying to develop it, the logistics and expense would be enormous: there is no potable fresh water, the distance to run a submerged electric line is great, and the little key has a elevation of perhaps one foot at best.

The eastern cove area of the greater key is a very good spot to catch spotted sea trout except during closed season during the month of February. The size limit is 15 to 20 inches, except you can have one fish over 20 inches within the daily bag limit of 5.

The North Side

This side has outdoor pavillions and outhouse type bathrooms, but no running water or electricity. You can camp out on this side of the island. There is plenty of firewood from the fallen Australian pines, and as long as you clean up the campsite, making sure to put out any fires and bury the unburned pieces, the ranger will have no problem with you. This man is a good asset to the park, patroling the three miles on a ATV, and maintaining order. He is friendly, but doesn't hassle campers if you behave reasonably. Once you have reached the key and are ready to set up your campsite. all you have to do is register by phone by calling (727) 638-4447 ( it's free to camp). If you don't have a cell phone. I guess you could call from a land line prior to departure, but the ranger prefers that you call once you've landed on the key. Beach camping has got to be the absolute best outdoor experience one can hope for unless it's bug season, then it might not be so good for persons who are "bugbait". My ex-wife had that problem, she could get bit just checking the mail. Bug spray is something you just don't want to forget. Water is another essential, even for just a day trip, remember that there is no potable water on the key. Out on Anclote Key at night, the skies are dark and full of stars, I had the pleasure of seeing a meteorite flaming across the sky and watching it appear to crash into the sea. What a place this would be to set up a telescope. Shark fishing at night in the channel between the main key and the sand bar to the north might result in hooking a fairly big one. I went skindiving in that channel during the day and found it deep with a hard shell bottom, I don't mind telling you that I was somewhat nervous in that area. Swimming would be much safer if you go south along the beach away from the channel.

There are more boaters at anchor, or pulled up on the north side during the day, especially on the sandbar. One Memorial day, I saw a man get in his boat, crank up the motor, and head toward the mainland. There was a small puff of smoke, and the man jumped out of the boat only a couple of seconds before the boat erupted in flame. He forgot to turn on the blowers. The boat burned for 20 minutes down to the waterline. Another day I saw a spotted eagle ray with a 4 foot wingspan jump out of the water only 20 feet away. It seems there is always something to see on the north end.

Launch Sites

There are three main places to launch. For overnight camping I suggest Gulf Anclote Park. There is a fishing pier there that is open 24 hours, and the park gate never closes. Also there is a sherrif's deputy that lives in the house on site, adding to the security.

Anclote River Park is closer to the key, and easier to launch from except that the only place you can get your vehicle close to the water in order to reduce the distance that you'll have to carry the kayaks, is the boat ramp. There is a lot of boat trailer traffic at this ramp making it difficult to unload and launch, and no kayaker really wants to be around power boats with their wakes.

The third place is to launch from Fred Howard Park where you can get fairly close to the water. This is perhaps the best place to launch from with plenty of parking, restrooms, showers, and places to change out of wet clothes.

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