At the south end of Anna Maria is Coquina Beach. On the bay side are two boat launches. You can sail the bay or bring an air horn and the bridge tender will let you out Longboat Pass into the Gulf. There is a long shoal of spoil on the north side that extends out a LONG way out into the gulf so watch your daggers and rudders. To the south is a VERY nice beach called Beer Can Island (just a name, very family friendly)
The north end of Sarasota Bay is very shallow in places though the channels are well marked. If you don't mind the drive down Longboat Key you can launch into Sarasota Bay just over the next pass on City Island. The bay is wide open and deep there.
You can also launch at Kingfish Ramp which is on your right just as you cross onto the island. That puts you into the mouth of the Manatee River, Terra Cia Bay, and Tampa Bay a few miles to the north.
You can also launch from the south side of Palma Sola causeway (the causeway to the island) into Palma Sola Bay. (Sailed there last weekend) This is much more sheltered.
Most of the beachs have barriers at the parking lot.
Get a chart because there are a lot of shallow areas in all of the above areas.
When are you coming down????
_________________ The ox is slow but the earth is patient
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