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Anclote Key, Florida Vacation Rental Beach Houses, Condos, and Cottages.

Anclote Key is best known for Anclote Key vacation rentals by owner condos, beach houses and cottages, and the Anclote Key lighthouse which sits on the southern tip of the Key. Anclote Key vacation rentals by owner condos, beach houses and cottages is off the coast of Tarpon Springs, Florida at the mouth of the Anclote River. Tarpon Springs is a historical little town that today depends on tourism for its economy. It is well known for its sponges which are found on the bottom of the Anclote River and other places. A short boat ride and demonstration of the old sponge diving equipment can be an interesting trek. Walking through the shops and getting a taste of the Greek culture is a must see.

But in the midst of all this lies the quiet island of Anclote Key with its Anclote Key vacation rentals by owner condos, beach houses and cottages. The word Anclote is a Spanish word meaning anchor. The island is about 180 acres and around 4 miles long, not even a mile in width. The plural term Anclote Keys refers to the many smaller islands that lay on the island's northeastern side. Some of these islands are privately-owned. One of the larger of the group of small islands is Dutchman Key.

Much of the 180 acres encompassed by Anclote Key and the Anclote Key vacation rentals by owner condos, beach houses and cottages is very damp and marshy, which makes it hard to travel around unless you walk along the sand beaches. The color of the water resembles that of the Florida Keys because it is a turquoise-color. The island's intercoastal side, or eastern side, has no beach. Instead, it has mangroves and mushy mud, almost like quicksand.

The western side, or Gulf of Mexico side, however, is sandy from the waves. There are more of the taller trees on this side, like palms and pines rather than shrubs and mangroves. From the top of the lighthouse, you can actually see the distinct line in which the island is split between short shrubs and tall trees. The thing I like most about this quiet, peaceful paradise is that you can literally pull up to an un-inhabited part of the island, set up your chairs, and enjoy your own personal part of the beach and its many Anclote Key vacation rentals by owner condos, beach houses and cottages.