Boats are Welcome
For Your Boating Adventures, Bring Yours or Rent One Locally – No Boat Rentals Available at Hickory Point RV Park
Dock Space & Dry Storage – Exclusively for Our Guests
As a valued guest of the park, you’re invited to enjoy convenient dock rentals with complimentary dry storage included. For the comfort and privacy of all our guests, dock storage and boat launching are reserved exclusively for those staying with us. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you to the water.
Boat Rentals
Charter boats with accommodating captains are available for exploring, shelling, fishing and spectacular sunsets. Tarpon Springs has a number of local boat rental companies to choose from; this is a partial list:
Anclote Village Marina
Belle Harbour Boat Rentals
Boatsetter
Getmyboat.com
Maritime Boat Rentals
Tarpon Landing Marina
Your Boat Club
How to Get to Anclote Island
The Anclote Key lighthouse is one of the more difficult lighthouses to visit since it is in a fairly remote location. Boat rental places are available out of the Anclote River and Tarpon Springs areas.
No matter whether you rent a boat or bring your own, it is important to keep in mind that some areas can become very shallow and dangerous.
There are shallow rocks located to the southwest of Sunset Beach Park, and during low tide the area can be very difficult to navigate, even with a smaller boat. The channel coming out from the Anclote River area is surrounded on both sides by very shallow sandbars. As you near the island, it is imperative that you be cautious due to the fact that the waters near the island become extremely shallow and almost impassible with most boats in some areas.
The best place to land on Anclote Key to visit the lighthouse is near the pier, although the pier itself is off limits to the public. The pier area is also an excellent area to cast net for live bait if you want to try your hand at fishing. You can follow this pier to the lighthouse to get a view of the tower, but the grounds are still closed off to the general public. Occasionally the lighthouse is opened for people to climb and enjoy.
There are no provisions offered on the island, so be prepared to bring your own water and supplies.
Ferry service to the island is offered by these providers
These ferries leave from Tarpon Springs’ historic Sponge Docks:
Ferry services do not drop off visitors for overnight camping. You must have your own transportation to stay overnight. Dogs are allowed only on North Anclote Bar.
Park GPS coordinates
- Location of Lighthouse: N 2810.020 W 08250.687
For more information on this and other state parks click HERE.
