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| Storm protection: |
fair |
| Bottom holding: |
good |
| Scenic beauty: |
fair |
| Tranquility: |
poor |
| Overall site rating: |
medium |
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| Activites: |
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| Facilities: |
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| Qualities: |
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| Overall site rating: |
low |
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| Natural: |
yes |
| Public access: |
yes |
| Commercial access: |
no |
| 100% private: |
no |
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| Low use (ie, "undiscovered"): |
no |
| Small craft and water sports: |
no |
| Anchoring: |
yes |
| Size: |
large |
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The following extra downloads are available:
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East of marker 12 on the Manatee River is a pocket of 6 foot water just inside DeSoto Point that offers good protection from western and southerly winds, but none from eastern or northerly breezes. In these conditions, it is safer to anchor across the river west of Emerson Point, in the lee of Snead Island.
To enter the anchorage, continue heading east about 100 yards past marker 12. Then turn sharply south, leaving land about 100 yards to the northwest side. Drop the hook shortly after coming into the protection of the point. The trick is to avoid the 2-foot shoals around the point, then stop before hitting the 4 foot shoals to the south.
Alternatively, proceed another 1/10 of a mile east past marker 12. Then begin easing east/southeast, then south and finally west to circumvent the shoal. Drop the hook after returning to the protection of the point.
The surrounding shores are almost entirely in their natural state. The DeSoto National Memorial, which commemorates the landing of Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto, is on the point, and is easily reached by dinghy.
The park offers a 20-minute movie which describes DeSoto's landing in 1539. There also is a museum and nature walk. Every spring, DeSoto's landing is reenacted here as part of a week-long festival.
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