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Otter Key - Lido Key

Location: Big Sarasota Pass
Mile Marker: Mile 72.8 - GIWW
Lat / Lon: N 27° 18.840' / W 082° 34.305'
Depth: 6-14 Feet
Description:
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.

4.83

(6)

4.83 out of 5 stars

Holding:

4.83

Good, Sand

Wind Protection:

5.00

All Around

Current Flow:

4.83

Wake Protection:

4.50

All Around

Scenic Beauty:

4.33

Ease of Shopping:

2.20

Shore Access:

2.00

Pet Friendly:

1.25

Cell Service:

4.83

WiFi:

1.00

Review for Otter Key - Lido Key

Reviewed by: Richard Parry, , on Aug 21, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.7'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

2

Scenic Beauty:

4

Shore Access:

2

Cell Service:

5

Wanted to stay here on our first night traveling from St. Pete to the space coast (Thursday) The boat is new to us and as beginner sailors, this location looked cool. We used Savvy Navvy for navigation and as we were turning into this location we caught the edge of a sandbar around 6pm. Thank Jesus the tide was coming up and it popped us up and free to anchor in the channel for the short night. Stay close to the channel markers here. It's quiet, not too many boats besides the occasional tour boats that idle around.

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Review for Otter Key - Lido Key

Reviewed by: Royce Johnson, Cerca Trova, on Mar 30, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.5'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

2

Shore Access:

2

Pet Friendly:

2

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

Saw no less than 8ft coming in on a middlin' high tide. Came in between G7 and the wake sign, water is clear and easy to read. Excellent wind (only open ENE-ESE) and current protection. Otter Key is a preserve and so is the south end of Lido Key, the rest of the perimeter is nice homes, lots of kayak tours and SUPs during the day but is a no-wake zone. The "dinghy landing" is at the end of the canal that goes west out of the anchorage basin where John Ringling Blvd makes a bulkhead. And there are no cleats or bollards, only a lone palm try as the previous reviewer said. For provisioning, there is the free Bay Runner jitney with stops on the St. Armand circle which goes all the way into downtown Sarasota and within a block of the Whole Foods. Basically no groceries in the circle area. Stayed a week, enjoyed the Lido Key park beach, swam, hung out. Will never

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Review for Otter Key - Lido Key

Reviewed by: Chris Ensing, Pau Hana, on Feb 15, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 31'
Draft: 3.4'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

2

Shore Access:

2

Cell Service:

5

Great anchorage. Very quiet. Water is deep & holding was great. We were the only boat here but looks like room for 4 or 5. The dinghy access at St. Armand's Circle is easy but no cleats, only way to tie up is a palm tree. Made me a little nervous as there is no way to lock the dinghy up.

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Review for Otter Key - Lido Key

Reviewed by: Len Barton on Mar 22, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 41'
Draft: 5.0'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

2

Shore Access:

1

Pet Friendly:

1

Cell Service:

4

Stopped for one night and stayed three. Excellent Anchorage with large homes on one side and mangroves opposite. Ospreys were nesting, dolphins and Manatee. We didn't fish but plenty of small boats doing well along the mangroves and around the wreck.

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Review for Otter Key - Lido Key

Reviewed by: Jay Morrow, The Blessing, on Dec 3, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 35'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

4

Shore Access:

4

Pet Friendly:

1

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

Very nice: We spent 3 nights here, strong winds from south, quite well protected. The only knock, is against the town of St Armand’s Circle. For a state/community that relies on tourist $$$$s, they only have a concrete wall to tie dingy up to. Easy access, but they could do more for transient boaters, as could the entire state of Florida. Whether passing through for one night, or looking for something to do for a few sites, very worth stopping at.

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Review for Otter Key - Lido Key

Reviewed by: Wally & Coco on Apr 22, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

1

Pet Friendly:

1

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

Excellent anchorage. Easy access. No less than 6 ft at entrance. Perfect place to wait out bad weather.

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