Houston TX to Palmetto FL Stop Recommendations

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Cicio

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Oct 3, 2021
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So I am under contract on a boat located in Houston, TX. In the coming weeks I will be venturing out from there across to the Tampa, FL area via the pan handle and ICWs.

This is my very first time doing any type of trip like this so I am studying tons and consuming as much knowledge as I possibly can in order to make it a safe and enjoyable week ish long journey.

I wondering if any of you have any recommendations on spots not to miss along the way. The route takes me below Louisiana to Alabama coast then to the pan handle. From Houston to around Gulfport there doesn't seem to be a lot unless I venture up into the NOLA area which I'm not really interested in doing.

Once I get to the Gulf Shores area around Mobile is when it looks like there are lots of options for Marinas and places to stop that I think could be fun.

What I am looking for are recommendations on overnight marinas where maybe some of you have had good experiences, land marks or routes not to miss due to beauty or adventure.

I appreciate any info in advance.
 
Just fyi the Mississippi is ripping through Nola right now. You will be going with the current so it won’t be that bad, but could be lots of debris in the water. Also you could have to wait quite awhile to get into the industrial lock if barge traffic is heavy.

I did the reverse on the river a few years ago when it was in flood stage and it really sucked. Had to wait for about an hour on the Harvey Lock circling in all that current.

I basically did the reverse trip you are thinking about from Florida to Houston a few years ago. Swore I’d never go through Nola again but go outside. I think that river gave ptsd. Lol.

Other than the short time on the Mississippi, the trip was pretty uneventful and fun. I didn’t really stay at any marinas that I remember, just anchored out where I could out of the way of barge traffic. Not many marinas IIRC from Houston to Mobile.

Edit: I remember staying in a little municipal marina in Houma right of the ICW under a bridge. It was cheap but kind of loud. Think this is it:

Downtown Marina
(985) 665-6035
https://maps.app.goo.gl/BiSDMy5xZ97ANC8w7?g_st=ic

I also tied up to some rip rap and walked to the Hollywood Casino for some food and drinks one night. ?
 
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cardude01 said:
Just fyi the Mississippi is ripping through Nola right now. You will be going with the current so it won’t be that bad, but could be lots of debris in the water. Also you could have to wait quite awhile to get into the industrial lock if barge traffic is heavy.

I did the reverse on the river a few years ago when it was in flood stage and it really sucked. Had to wait for about an hour on the Harvey Lock circling in all that current.

I basically did the reverse trip you are thinking about from Florida to Houston a few years ago. Swore I’d never go through Nola again but go outside. Lol.

Other than the short time on the Mississippi, the trip was pretty uneventful and fun. I didn’t really stay at any marinas that I remember, just anchored out where I could out of the way of barge traffic. Not many marinas IIRC from Houston to Mobile.
Click to expand...


Good info! Thank you
 
I will at some time. But it can be alot to type up, and changes with boat speed and time of year.

It can be a pretty trip but desolate. Many quiet anchorages and some good restaurants.

Mississippi can be a challenge. Best have your "A" game.

My blog, grandbankschoices, has some pictures of us making the trip both ways.

For now PM me and we can talk on the phone.
 
If you have time don't miss Bay St Louis. Nice marina, great town. Call early to get a res. at Fields restaurant.
 
At Morgan City on the Intracoastal go slightly upstream on the Atchafalaya and tie up at the dock on the east side. There are a couple places to eat depending on where you tie. Other towns you may have to get off the Intracoastal also.
 
Here is where we have stayed with notes. Use the Waterway Guide to pick spots. There are a lot of holes to anchor in, just try to pick one with daylight.

MM336 Stingaree has a free dock with dinner and 30A power. Call to reserve and get directions in. Good starting point for a long day.

MM271 Shell Island pull behind island or into canals for a nice anchorages. Lots of birds and Gators.

MM202 Lake Arthur it is 8 miles to get to City docks with power or Regatta restaurant without power. Nice old Cajun town, small local bar.

MM160 Shell Morgan paid $3.24 for diesel. About $25 to dock with power. Call ahead, use lots of bumpers. If you can get a ride, go eat at Shucks, damn good.

MM95 Morgan City free dock and power on seawall. Town is slowly dieing. Walk to Rita Mae's for seafood. From here you must take Bayou Chene South Canal to bypass lock, which is closed during the day. Nice scenic detour, roughly hour and a half.

MM58 Houma cool little city park marina with power and water. Call to reserve, but they never collect. Couple block walk to Cristiano's fine dining. Call and Owner will pick up.

MM20 LaFette anchor behind island, lots of airboat traffic.

MM0 Harvey Lock usually pretty quick to get through, never waited more than an hour. Right before lock there is a metal bulkhead that has govt no trespassing signs, tie up to it. Out of way of traffic and 200' to lock entrance.

Industrial Canal can be busy. There is a small boat landing on the south entrance, tie up there to wait in line. They may try to put you in a lock with tug, politely decline unless your really good, and have slot of bumpers.

MM5 New Orleans RV park and marina. Good restaurants snfd bar, power and water. Good boat yard next door with fuel and pump out.

MM55 Bay St Louis good Muni marina with everything. Cool little tourist area. Can get hot on weekends. With South wind marina can get rough.

MM80? Gulfport Marina great marina with everything. Good town to explore. Hit Half Shell Oyster House. Walking distance.

MM 90? Biloxi Small Craft Harbor next to Hard Rock Casino. All services.

MM155 Lulu's kind of a tourist trap, but ok bar food and good music. Full services. Expensive.
 
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MM178 Ft McRee nice anchorages, clear water, beautiful desolate beach you can dinghy to. A must overnighter.

MM186 Pensacola/Palafox hurricane wiped it out. Have to see if reopened. New small marina couple miles east, never stayed there.

MM214 lots of nice anchorages where you are in bay water looking at Gulf.

MM230 Destin harbor major tourist trap. Safe Anchorage. We prefer to go north to Blue Water Marina. Full services and restaurant and bar. Locals. Nice place.

MM295 Pear Bayou nice place, quiet.

MM351 Apalachicola We have stayed at Water Street Hotel and Marina and Apalachicola Marina. Both rough docks. No pumpout. Hotel has pool. There is also free city dock but very skinny.
 
I use Boat Beacon for cellular AIS. Around $10/year.

Works good enough to show tugs who you are and get their names. Make your intentions clear when meeting and overtaking. I prefer to pick a side and stay out of their way. If you don't, they will radio ahead and can squeeze you.

This can be a great trip for nature lovers. We have seen Gators, eagles, bobcats, snakes, all kinds of animals.

We take enough food to eat dinner four times, at least. Our goal is to be moving at daybreak, and stopped at dusk. You must be self sufficient. Expect no services most of the way. Cellular most of the time with Verizon.

Great fishing in morning and evening from boat.
 
Choices said:
MM0 Harvey Lock usually pretty quick to get through, never waited more than an hour. Right before lock there is a metal bulkhead that has govt no trespassing signs, tie up to it. Out of way of traffic and 200' to lock entrance.
Click to expand...

A couple of years ago I tied to the wall in front of the parking lot for the Boomtown Casino and went in for their buffet dinner. Maybe a mile before the lock.
 
Thank you all for the suggestions. I purchased the cruising guide recommended as well as charts of the area.

I did end up hiring a captain to help me with the transit from Houston area to Pensacola. He will leave me there where my father and brother will join me for the rest of the trip.

I feel like that first 2-3 days of the trip I will learn a lot, take a lot of notes and hopefully be more prepared for the remainder of the trip.

I am pretty excited to say the least.
 
Good luck!! I have done this trip numerous times both ways. Choices pretty much nailed all of the details. The Louisiana portion kinda sucks IMO. Also, if you can figure a way to skip Morgan City, I highly recommend doing that…hahaha!!

I am curious what boat you bought and what captain you hired. I likely would know them. Have a safe trip. You will most definitely learn a lot.
 
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