CRUISING THE PANHANDLE
OF FLORIDA
… and a bit of Alabama
Presented by
Tom Allen
SV Island Dancer
The Draw of the Panhandle
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Easy offshore passage from Western
coast of Florida
Inexpensive marinas and ample
anchorages
Plentiful services and amenities
Choose secluded anchorages or bustling
marinas and nightlife
Departure Points
TAMPA / ST. PETE
CLEARWATER
TARPON SPRINGS
Offshore Crossing
OFFSHORE PASSAGE
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20 – 25 hours average passage
Choose Weather Window Carefully
Arrive Dog Island or Apalachicola
Watch for Air Force towers (charted /
Lighted)
Duck into Deadman Bay if weather turns
nasty (not recommended – Shallow!!)
SAILING OFFSHORE
DESTINATIONS
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Carrabelle
Apalachicola
Lake Wimlico
Port St. Joe
Panama City
Destin / Fort Walton
Pensacola
Pirate’s Cove (Alabama)
PLANNING YOUR ROUTE
MAST UNDER 50’
MAST OVER 50’
(ICW route optional)
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Lake Wimlico
St. Andrews, East and
West Bays (PC)
Choctawahatchee
Bay
(Limited to Direct Entry:)
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Carrabelle
Port St. Joe
Panama City
Destin (not bay)
Pensacola
Dog Island to Panama City
Panama City to Pensacola
Carrabelle / Dog Island
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Anchorage north side of Dog Island
Marinas and limited anchorage in
Carrabelle
Fuel / Marine Services available
Groceries / Restaurants walking distance
from Carrabelle anchorage / marinas
Apalachicola Scenery
Apalachicola
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Quaint historical town
Fuel / Marine Supplies / Groceries
Free docking at City Dock / Anchorage
Overnight possible at Fuel Dock
Gateway to Lake Wimlico
Nice, peaceful venue to stay a day or two
Amenities within walking distance
Motoring Lake Wimlico
Lake Wimlico
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Motoring required (limited sailing)
Primal landscape
Shallow – Caution required to stay within
channel – especially with crosswind
Wildlife (Ospreys, Alligators, turtles, etc.)
Anchorages along ICW
St. Joseph Bay Anchorage
Port St. Joe
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Good anchorage in St. Joseph Bay
Secluded beaches
Moderate services and amenities
Good beachcombing
Scalopping
Panama City / St. Andrews Bay
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Ample anchorages with good protection
City marina walking distance to amenities
Shell Island popular anchorage
Redfish Point protected and peaceful
within dinghy distance to marina
Destin Harbor Dinghy Ride
Destin / Fort Walton
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Busy vacation destination during summer
Countless anchorages and marinas to choose
from
Many amenities and supplies available (many
within walking distance of harbor)
Excellent restaurants & nightclubs along harbor
and within a short dinghy ride
Free anchorage in harbor or bay
Destin Harbor environmentally sensitive zone
(lock that pumpout tank!)
Apalachicola Chart
Panama City Chart
Destin / Ft. Walton Chart
Pensacola Chart