Looking to sail from Tampa Bay to Key West

[SecondWind30]

Looking for general information and recommendations for any good anchorages or marinas from Tampa to Key West....And any insight to the waters!!! Thanks for any information....I am sailing a 30-2 Ericson with 5' draft..

[PBzeer]

Any particular reason not to go direct?

I went out of John's Pass to Venice, then I anchored off the SE corner of Sanibel Island. From there, if I was going to Key West, I'd do an overnight.

[scottyt]

florida bay is a long day sail, but shallow enough if you want to anchor. There is nothing to hide behind from a storm on anchor thou.

As was said, do it in an over night, then skirt down the chain. Lots of nice places to stop once you get to the chain.

5 feet will not much be much of an problem until you get close, but there are spots that are shallow so watch your charts.