The Bahia Beach Resort has been redone and looks and feels like a new
facility. Their Marina is interested in long term rentals and may not commit
to reservations for transients. I believe they do have a few transient slips
but the manager was gone and could not give data...
We visited E.G.Simmons Park (EGSP). EGSP is several hundred yards North of
Bahia Beach Resort (BBR) on the next road up and easily reached in about 5-10
mins... The campsites are accessible from water so you can launch at their
ramp. You then would motor (w keel up) around to your campsite and tie to
mangrove by campsite, or pull the bow into campsite. Your car would be parked
in front of you, accessible at all times. The park has a food and ice
concession on premises and since your car is accessible you can drive out in
case of emergency. We all agreed this would also be a perfect location. We
believe campsites 28, 30, 32, 33, 34, 37, 38 & 40 are closest to boat launch
ramp and have best trees for shade. There is a pier at 28 or 24. There are
Pavillions, playgrounds, group shelters etc available. The park ranger claims
reservations not needed not many people come to this park in October.
Nevertheless we should try to make reservations by Next Monday at latest.
There will not be a fishing tournament at EGSP so we will not be rocking to
their wake all night long...
RACCOONS:
In any FL campgroundRaccoons are a problem. I would recommed you take along
one of those Pepper spray self defense items and spray the raccoons if they
come close. One spray hits one raccoon they will all stay away. DO NOT FEED
THEM or you will encourage them. Raccoons in turn, out of gratitude for being
fed, will chew on the rubber window moldings, tires and sails or any exposed
lines in your boat. Do not take this warning lightly. I have the chewed up
window moldings to prove this. I am going to spray my tires and molding with
the stuff if we all stay at EGSP...
MOSQUITOES:
The key to handling mosquitoes is to keep the screens closed tightly from one
hour before to one hour after sunset. Same in morning. If you remove all the
items you need to your campground and eat there without openning your screens
you will not have them buzzing your ears :^) and trying to chew your nose off
all night long... :^). The second thing is once the temp drops below 75 they
get groggy and are easy to dispose of (squash1) The other option is to lock
yourself in your cabin until at least 1/2 hour after sunset and come out
then... {:^ )>
No See Um's (mini fleas)
They sell a stuff for the screens called "Screen Proof " locally. I do not
envision these pests as being a problem if the temp at night drops below 75
degrees. But, be armed against these critters...
If you check a Chart of the area you can see the two locations are besides
each other on the map and we will have to motor out about 300 yards before we
are free to sail in any direction.
The key is to get together at EGSP on Sat morning and depart for the sail at
10AM or thereabouts.
I believe BBR and EGSP are within portable VHF range. Once we know the
individual decisions we can all firm up our plans and make reservations. We
can communicate through VHF between both locations... Call on channel 16 and
after reply transfer to indicated channel. Usually 74...
Rates:
BBR 1-800-327-2773
single room $ 79 less 10% for AAA ($ 68) + taxes.
double room $ 89 etc.
double with kitchen $ 99 less 10% ($ 90) plus taxes.
Slip is $16 and launching is $ 4
EGSP (813-671-7655)
$ 12.00 per night including electricity and water.
Ramp fee included.
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