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Sunrise Bay

Mile Marker: 1062.3
Lat / Lon: N 26° 08.554' / W 080° 06.554'
Depth: 7
Tide: 2 feet
Description:
Well protected anchorage from most directions, some ICW wake during the day. Just north of the yacht club and across from Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. 7' depth firm bottom. You can pull fairly close to the houses deep in the bay. We had several sailboats anchored there. Across the ICW is the state park with a dinghy dock, so you can get off the boat and explore the area. I was surprised this was not on the list of anchorages.
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.

3.43

(7)

3.43 out of 5 stars

Holding:

4.20

Wind Protection:

3.60

Current Flow:

3.80

Wake Protection:

3.00

Scenic Beauty:

2.60

Ease of Shopping:

3.00

Shore Access:

2.60

Pet Friendly:

2.00

Cell Service:

4.60

WiFi:

3.00

Review for Sunrise Bay

Reviewed by: Scott Gregory, My Happiness, on Sep 10, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

2

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Pet Friendly:

1

Cell Service:

4

WiFi:

3

This is a small anchorage and the locals put up No Anchoring signage. It is very protected with a number of boats anchored here. We were at 26°08'36.1"N 80°06'32.2"W on Jan. 15, 24. We had no wake issues from other boats and there was no wind when we were there, but it is well protected. There is no place to tie up and take the dog for a walk. The park on the other side of the ICW is fenced off and has no access. Good spot for a quick sleep and leave. There is no reason to spend a lot of time here.

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Review for Sunrise Bay

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Overall Rating:

3

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

3

Wake Protection:

1

Scenic Beauty:

2

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Pet Friendly:

1

Cell Service:

4

There were ten boats here for the night when I was here. We were all ignoring the very official looking "No Overnight Anchorage" Buoys with their flashing lights. No one bothered us. This cove is right off the ICW in a Minimum Wake area. As we all know, those rules apply to some boats and apparently not others. As a result, we were waked incessantly on that Saturday night. The later it got, the worse it got; when it gets dark, no one follows the rules. Wind protection is about average; the wind was coming across the ICW right into the anchorage that night. The dinghy dock at the park across the ICW is closed and it does not look as if it will open any time soon. There's orange netting all over there to prevent folks from docking and finding a way onto shore. While someone else in a review talked about making a 2 1/2 mile dinghy ride to another park, between the wake and the wind-driven waves on the ICW, that was not a viable option for me. I found a spot about 1/4 mile down the ICW where I could tie up to a wall and take my pups for a relief break. This was at a marina and I think the only reason I got away with it was because the marina office was closed both times I went. No one saw me. Between the wake and shore access problems, I saw no reason to spend another night. If you need shore access and have a wide enough beam that wake isn't an issue, you might like this anchorage. But I can't recommend it and won't stay there again.

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Review for Sunrise Bay

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte, See Level, on Mar 2, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

3

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

4

Pet Friendly:

4

Cell Service:

5

Great anchorage with extremely easy access right on the ICW -- room for 10-12 boats at least -- 8' depth. The illegal 'no overnight anchoring' buoys are not being enforced as noted previously. Moderate rolling from boats in the ICW, but worth it to watch the parade that passes by and this stops after dark. Beautiful residential surrounding. Dinghy dock to the STATE park right across the way was closed for construction, and if open would have made this 5 stars both for pet friendly and because the park would be great to explore. We took the the dinghy back south on the ICW and around the first corner to the local CITY park (Todd English)about 2.5 mi away, where there were very nice dinghy docks and access to Macy's/shopping mall, CVS, and looked like a lot more within walking distance. There is also a water taxi stop at the same state park that would be great if you wanted to venture anywhere into Lauderdale.

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Review for Sunrise Bay

Reviewed by: Wendy Hawkes, Aquatania, on Nov 19, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

5

The recently placed "No Overnight" buoys are placed illegally - no permits were obtained - and are not being enforced. We have anchored here several times before and were eager to return to use this spot as a staging before crossing to the Bahamas. FLL police boats regularly patrol the anchorage, but have not bothered any of the (currently) 3 of us since we anchored here 4 days ago. Broward County Commission Member told a friend (local resident) on 11/15/22 that whoever placed the buoys has no jurisdiction over this water and only USCG or FL Wildlife Commission (FWC) could limit anchoring in Sunrise Bay.

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Review for Sunrise Bay

Reviewed by: Paul Alcock on Aug 27, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 34'
Draft: 5.7'

Overall Rating:

1

We have anchored here overnight multiple times over the past 7 years. Sometime in July/August, someone planted 'No Overnight Anchoring" Buoys with Flashing Lights so that they cannot be missed. During the daytime, especially at weekends and holidays, the anchorage is typically packed. There have been several High value liveaboard Catamarans anchored for many months and that may contribute to the new Buoys. Not being able to anchor overnight is a major blow to the area. Many boats, like ourselves, anchor overnight in preparation for a weather window for departure to the Islands or Keys to the South and Lake Worth to the North. As many of the docks in Fort Lauderdale are tidal restricted ( like ours ) we often anchor overnight in order to catch the next high tide if we are returning to our dock.

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Review for Sunrise Bay

Reviewed by: Jeremy Hatch on Mar 26, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

3

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

3

Cell Service:

5

Nice protected anchorage off the AICW. Usually appears crowded with party boats on weekends. They typically are 4 hr charters so they move along and spots often open up late afternoon. Most are just having fun in the sun but all have large stereos. A bonus is you can run your generator if needed in the afternoon without bothering anyone. Everything quiets down @ sundown excepting the AICW racers.
There is shore access E of AICW to walk in park. There is a free dinghy dock approx. 2 miles by dinghy (only 1/2 of which is in the no wake zone) at George English Park. The park/ dock are actually 0.4m SW of anchorage as the crow flies, but no other way to get there. Small Publix is 2 blocks E of dock & CVS is 3 blocks W of dinghy dock.
We usually stay here Southbound.

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Review for Sunrise Bay

Reviewed by: Bill Mcmahon on Jan 30, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

2

Ease of Shopping:

3

Shore Access:

4

Cell Service:

5

Nice but crowded, so I had to use less scope than I would have liked, but it was a calm night. Anchored in 11' at almost high tide. Counted 14 other boats., including a 70' catamaran.

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