...
Southern Boating & Yachting
  • Boats
    • Center Consoles
    • Dual Consoles
    • Motoryachts
    • Power Cats
    • Sport Cruisers
    • Tenders & Ribs
  • Destinations
    • Regional Reports
    • Bahamas
    • Caribbean
    • U.S. Atlantic
    • U.S. Gulf
  • Engines
  • Maintenance
    • DIY
  • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • News
      • Boating Log
    • Fishing
    • Food
      • Menus
      • Drinks
      • Appetizers
      • Entrées
      • Dessert
      • Holiday
  • Gear
  • Shop
  • Digital Edition
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
  • Boats
    • Center Consoles
    • Dual Consoles
    • Motoryachts
    • Power Cats
    • Sport Cruisers
    • Tenders & Ribs
  • Destinations
    • Regional Reports
    • Bahamas
    • Caribbean
    • U.S. Atlantic
    • U.S. Gulf
  • Engines
  • Maintenance
    • DIY
  • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • News
      • Boating Log
    • Fishing
    • Food
      • Menus
      • Drinks
      • Appetizers
      • Entrées
      • Dessert
      • Holiday
  • Gear
  • Shop
  • Digital Edition
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
Southern Boating & Yachting
No Result
View All Result
Home Destinations U.S. Gulf
Cedar Key on the Big Bend

Florida’s Big Bend

February 1, 2019
in U.S. Gulf
0
850
SHARES
4.7k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare via Email

Florida’s Big Bend

The road less traveled: Florida’s Big Bend

Florida’s 300-mile Big Bend curve on the Gulf Coast remains the road less traveled for ICW navigators. Coming from the Panhandle, most point their bows straight to Tarpon Springs, the quicker way to warmer temperatures and sandy beaches.

Typically, Big Bend shorelines are not sandy. Geologists say ancient rivers just didn’t have enough “energy” to bring fine sand to shorelines. They’re quite wild, actually. Depending on your priorities, this could be a good thing. Maybe, as poet Robert Frost wrote, this makes all the difference. Welcome to Old Florida.

Steinhatchee is just a short distance up the river of the same name. Huge turtles bask on sunlit logs. Spanish moss flows down from sloping live oak branches. Locals tend gardens, relax on front porches and go fishing. Locally caught fish, scallops, blue crabs, and oysters are on the menu. Villagers and visitors raise a little Cain at the annual Fiddler Crab Festival, this year February 15-17. Good Times Marina, River Haven Marina and Sea Hag Marina are ready for transient cruisers.

Cedar Key is a quaint island town in the cluster of Cedar Keys, south of Steinhatchee a bit. Tie up, fuel up, chat up locals, browse funky stores, buy an Old Florida painting, bike trails, go birding, kayak the backcountry, sip craft beer and enjoy fresh seafood. Above all, be amazed at the bright stars and galaxies at night. Cedar Key (population 700) hosts 20,000 visitors for the annual Old Florida Celebration of the Arts, this year March 30-31. Cedar Key Marina II  monitors Channel 11 and welcomes cruisers.

Moving south, you’ll want to explore the Crystal River, the Homosassa River and the  Chassahowitzka River, spring-fed rivers the manatees love. You’ll feel warmer temperatures and notice lots of people on sandy beaches and the welcoming marinas in Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Clearwater, Madeira Beach, and so on as you continue down the coast where you’re now back on the more traveled route.

By Bill Aucoin, Southern Boating February 2019

More Gulf Coast Updates:

Mardi Gras on the Gulf 

Subscribe to the print magazine | $29.95 for 12 issues
Tags: Big BendCedar KeyHomasassaPanhandleSteinhatchee
Previous Post

Mardi Gras

Next Post

An Unconventional Exuma Itinerary

Next Post
Exuma Itinerary

An Unconventional Exuma Itinerary

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

Trailer Boat Life Cell

Trailer Boat Life Cell

July 27, 2017
3.3k
quickcleat

Quick Cleat

June 6, 2017
3.3k

Don't miss it

A man holding his catch after using surface lures
Fishing

How to Spark the Bite: Pro Tips for Using Surface Lures

October 3, 2025
3.2k
Cruisers Yachts 38 VTR lineup on water
Boats

The All-New VTR Series: Built to Venture. Trek. Roam.

October 1, 2025
3.4k
Electronic Fuses
DIY

Marine Electronics Troubleshooting: Repair, Resell, or Replace?

September 30, 2025
3.3k
Pershing GTX-80 anchored in blue waters aerial view
Boats

Pershing GTX80 Review: Galley-Up Luxury at 34 Knots With A Beach Club

September 30, 2025
3.4k
Man applying Seascour descaler to sea strainer on boat engine system
Engines

Why Do Smart Boat Owners Choose Seascour for Safe Marine Maintenance?

September 23, 2025
3.3k
Beneteau Antares 9 compact coastal cruiser underway
Boats

Small Cruiser, Big Comfort: Beneteau Antares 9 Redefines the Weekender

September 22, 2025
3.6k
Facebook Instagram TikTok Youtube LinkedIn

Navigation

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Terms Of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Manage My Subscription
logo

1591 E. Atlantic Blvd, 2nd Floor
Pompano Beach, FL 33060
Office: +1 (954) 522-5515
Fax: +1 (954) 522-2260
Contact us: info@southernboating.com


Newsletter

* indicates required

© 2025 Southern Boating & Yachting, INC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Boats
    • Center Consoles
    • Dual Consoles
    • Motoryachts
    • Power Cats
    • Sport Cruisers
    • Tenders & Ribs
  • Destinations
    • Regional Reports
    • Bahamas
    • Caribbean
    • U.S. Atlantic
    • U.S. Gulf
  • Engines
    • Engine Buyers Guide
  • Maintenance
    • DIY
  • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • News
      • Boating Log
    • Fishing
    • Food
      • Drinks
      • Appetizers
      • Entrées
      • Dessert
      • Holiday
  • Gear
  • Shop
  • Digital Edition
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

© 2025 Southern Boating & Yachting, INC.

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Terms Of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Manage My Subscription
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Terms Of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Manage My Subscription