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Piddler Island

Location: Ponce Inlet
Mile Marker: SE of 839.5
Lat / Lon: N 29° 05.036' / W 080° 56.241'
Depth: 9
Description:

We found this great spot while picking someone up from Sea Love Marina. The depth is 9 feet and good holding in sand. There are several restaurants where you can dock or dinghy up to. This is a protected and quiet location. We stayed here for two nights during April and it was very pleasant with low wake.

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.

3.83

(6)

3.83 out of 5 stars

Holding:

3.67

Good in sand

Wind Protection:

3.33

Current Flow:

3.17

Wake Protection:

3.17

Scenic Beauty:

4.17

Ease of Shopping:

2.40

Shore Access:

4.00

Several restuarants in the area with docks

Pet Friendly:

3.50

Cell Service:

4.50

WiFi:

2.00

Review for Piddler Island

Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson, Last Chance, on Nov 8, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

3

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

2

Cell Service:

5

Stopped here late in the day not knowing if our nearby once favorite Rockhouse anchorage is still cluttered with derelict sailboats. Was pleasantly surprised there was area enough for several boats to anchor. There is a permanent sail cat anchored on the WG anchor symbol nearby was okay. Wakes weren't too bad since it is across from marinas with a slow zone. Dinghy to Off the Hooks or Down the Hatch restaurants. Fuel is available within sight. Would definitely stay here again. Review based on entering from north off ICW and returning southbound to ICW, not the actual ocean inlet.

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Review for Piddler Island

Reviewed by: Graeme Walker, Confirmed Aquaholic, on Apr 7, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 54'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

3

Ease of Shopping:

4

Shore Access:

5

We stayed here one night and took dingy to 'Down the Hatch' restaurant, walked to very good Lighthouse museum ($7ea, we paid $10 as donation) and very good milkshake at dairy stand, ($17/two). Strong current so boat isn't always where you expect, we had 5 others at the anchorage and we were well spaced. We were well northwest of Buoy R4. Getting in from the south stay south of Red 8B, Navionics took us north for a 180 degree turn but it looked shallow. Exited north along the shore and rejoined AICW. Quiet. Lighthouse was nice to watch at night.

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Review for Piddler Island

Reviewed by: Dirk Bernhardt on Mar 24, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.8'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

2

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

5

Easy to get in and out. Wind and current can be opposing, so take that into account when choosing your spot. There's space for at least 4-5 boats here. As you approach from the north, smells from the bar and grill will water your mouth, so be prepared to launch your dinghy. Nice views with lighthouse at night.

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Review for Piddler Island

Reviewed by: Brian Wicks on Mar 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 2.0'

Overall Rating:

1

Holding:

1

Wind Protection:

1

Current Flow:

1

Wake Protection:

1

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

3

Pet Friendly:

2

Cell Service:

3

WiFi:

3

We grounded here overnight as there is shoaling everywhere and hard to get a stable radius. Had a bad storm come through and we did not have adequate protection. Would recommend sheaphead cut instead. Ponce inlet is getting more dangerous for grounding

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Review for Piddler Island

Reviewed by: Shawn Murphy, Gradle, on Feb 28, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

2

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

We anchored in 10 ft of water. Sandy bottom, typical tidal current. The marina was pretty laid back. So much so that I could not find anyone working. It was 4:30 pm on a Sunday. I docked the dinghy next to the restaurant. It looked like a popular place. There was a 2 hour wait so we skipped it. Other than the boatyard, there were no other services. No stores or other places of business. It was all residential around the marina. There are two other restaurants within dinghy distance. There is a great park to the south of the marina to walk the dog. The inlet was well marked. Once you get past the inlet, it's a little tricky getting upriver to the anchorage. We had a minor soft grounding. You want to stay south of red buoy 8B as there is shouting to the north. But it is also shallow to the south. Up to date satellite maps give a good representation of where the channel lies. I recommend following a local boat in like we eventually did.
- WG Editor Comment:
  
  This yard is closed on the weekends.
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Review for Piddler Island

Reviewed by: Zeshan Rajput on Oct 24, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

Cell Service:

5

There are sand bars all over. Be very very careful. The best approach is from the North. Come off the ICW between the Green 1 and the Green 3 buoys, stay close to the coastline if you need depths, come around the anchorage.RN (Red Nun) 4 buoy and enter the anchorage from the south. Anchorage was a little crowded with people there for the day but emptied out at night. Come back out the way you came in unless you have local knowledge of the sand bars to the south. When going back south, stay close Red 18 buoy as sand bars have built up on the green side. If it is low tide, hug the channel closer to Red 18.

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