Molasses Keys Anchorage

• Location: Hawk Channel
• Lat / Lon: N 24° 41.301' / W 081° 11.349'
• Depth: 7
• Description:

  Watch your charts and go in from Moser Channel. We stay alongside the bridge until in deeper water just N of the larger Molasses Key and anchor at about 24 41.296N, 081 11.352W. That's in front of the larger island, but we dinghy in to the smaller island just to it's west. In smaller boats you can go right up to the sand flats on the North side of that smaller island. WATCH THE CURRENT in the small channels - it rips. We have anchored the big boat in those, but I'm getting too old for that. It has a scoured bottom with poor holding and fast currents. For us it's better to anchor just North of the larger island with less current and better holding in about 7' of water.

  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.

  DISCLAIMER: The laws and regulations governing anchoring in Florida waters are complex and everchanging. If you plan to anchor, whether overnight or for an extended period, you should confirm whether you are in compliance with local and state requirements before committing to a location. Two sources of information that may be helpful are the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida State Statutes.