Greetings, My family and I will be going on our first long "cruise' on our C30 in April. We're departing from the Tampa Bay area and heading via the Gulf of Mexico to the Keys. While I've been to the Keys many time (by air and auto), I've never sailed around there. We're taking three weeks of vacation, so I figure we'll have two weeks or so to relax, so some snorkling and some exploring. So, I'm looking for good ideas! We plan to visit Key West, of course, but also looking for anyone's "secret" anchorage or other neat places to see by a shoal draft Catalina 30 around the Keys. Also, any nautical tips that may be pertient. This will also be the farthest from home since we got the boat in May. Thanks, Barry S/V Tangaroa St. Pete Beach, FL
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The first thing do buy is a cruising guide
and the next thing is a bottle of tequilla.
Get your charts, your cruising guide and then avoid all of the recommended places and find the hidden coves and unexplored places. Next don't pay any attention to me because I've never been sailing in Florida.
and the next thing is a bottle of tequilla.
Get your charts, your cruising guide and then avoid all of the recommended places and find the hidden coves and unexplored places. Next don't pay any attention to me because I've never been sailing in Florida.Barry
Although not a local, I've been going down to the Keys for the past 20+ years, sailing, diving, fishing, etc., taking my boat down each Winter for the past 5 years As Ross said, (& you probable already have done) get a guide (or 2). Do the Dry Tortugas and the Fort for a few days (excellent snorkling, diving, and a nice protected anchorage; plus the Fort is very interesting). Do Key West for a few days. 8 miles east of KW (off Boca Chica) is Middle Sambo ( a sandy "Key" awash at high tide ).. good diving and snorkling for the day ~ 5 mile further east is Bahia(sp) Honda , nice anchorage ~10 miles further East is Looie Key ; another nice place to stop and dive. Then do Marathon and the area nearby for a few days; then thru the 7 mile bridge and home.... Plus ck your cruising guide, there are many more nice spots than the few I've mentioned. Have fun
Although not a local, I've been going down to the Keys for the past 20+ years, sailing, diving, fishing, etc., taking my boat down each Winter for the past 5 years As Ross said, (& you probable already have done) get a guide (or 2). Do the Dry Tortugas and the Fort for a few days (excellent snorkling, diving, and a nice protected anchorage; plus the Fort is very interesting). Do Key West for a few days. 8 miles east of KW (off Boca Chica) is Middle Sambo ( a sandy "Key" awash at high tide ).. good diving and snorkling for the day ~ 5 mile further east is Bahia(sp) Honda , nice anchorage ~10 miles further East is Looie Key ; another nice place to stop and dive. Then do Marathon and the area nearby for a few days; then thru the 7 mile bridge and home.... Plus ck your cruising guide, there are many more nice spots than the few I've mentioned. Have fun
Guide
One of the best is by Frank Pappy. Small book, spiral bound and feels like you are reading/using a friend's notes (which is what they reportedly are.) It's avail here at HOW (see link) and also probably all over your area. Can't recommend it enough for the keys.
One of the best is by Frank Pappy. Small book, spiral bound and feels like you are reading/using a friend's notes (which is what they reportedly are.) It's avail here at HOW (see link) and also probably all over your area. Can't recommend it enough for the keys.
Thanks for the tidbits!
Buck, Thanks for the info--just what I was looking for. I've already ordered Papy's Guide, based on numerous recommendations. I have another guide, too. I'm getting excited! Barry P.S. Ross, I actually already have 2 bottles of tequila ready-to-go!
Buck, Thanks for the info--just what I was looking for. I've already ordered Papy's Guide, based on numerous recommendations. I have another guide, too. I'm getting excited! Barry P.S. Ross, I actually already have 2 bottles of tequila ready-to-go!
Coastal points along the way
Presuming you will be taking a coastal route I'd recommend some anchorages I've enjoyed. Just south of the Sanibel causeway there is "New Pass" on the north end of Big Hickory with 6' anchorage, but watch your depths heading in; the real estate to the north I bought with $675 in (TowBoatUS insured) towing charges. After a liesurely day's sail you could overnight at Marco Island, where you will see on your chart Coconut Key, another well protected anchorage inside that strip of sand reaching around just west (or choose local marinas upriver a bit). From there you can go offshore or upriver; the inshore route will save you time so as you emerge past Coon Key to Gullivan Bay you can tarry and find some of the best tarpon fishing in the area. Head south to Indian Key and head up the Barron River to Everglades City. This is the heart of the "10,000 Islands", and as you cross Chocoloskee Bay you will be enchanted at the site of the Outward Bound outpost directly before you. Head upriver past the Lodge (which U.S. Presidents have found suitable), and overnight at "Larry's World Famous Barron River Resort and Marina Chickee Bar". I wouldn't sail to the Keys without stopping here, but I must warn you to keep in mind your destination for an "overnight" here can turn into...ok, just show up on Thursday, for that's bingo night so locals and snow birds give it a real ecclectic flavor. The food is pretty good, too. Stone crabs are in season until the end of April, and then the whole town pretty much shuts down. Refuel before debarking, and leave on an outgoing tide for record speeds, for at times they have 6 knot current. Note: To really get the flavor go to Smallwoods store in Chocoloskee and buy the book "Killing Mr. Watson", and read it as you progress this trip. Your next overnight should be in what I call the Shark River basin, on the southwest side of Shark Island. If you arrive early enough head upriver through the mangroves to Oyster Bay, and if time permits further into Whitewater Bay. I have taken this route further to Flamingo into Florida Bay but don't consider it this trip (its the closest thing to impossible). Flamingo is your next hope for fuel, food, and shower if but a bit out of your way if you are hell bent on hitting the Keys, though accessible on your coastal route. I enjoyed this overnight for a cheap slip ($.55/foot last time I was there), and you may witness a salt water crocodile (no, not 'gator) indigenous to the area. Its worth it if by this time you have become enchanted by our Everglades. In Flamingo buy the book "Everglades: River of Grass". Read it when you get home, or better yet, buy it now and prepare for the adventure. If you bypass Flamingo and go directly to "Marathon" (Vaca Key) you will be going through a minefield of crab "pots". Good luck, and respect the fact what you are cursing are valuable to the owners, so go gently and stop as soon as you snag one. You will stop after you snag two, regardless (at least I did). Don't cut them free, but take the time to back off or dive and clear. Welcome to the Florida Keys at Vaca. After the causeway head east for fuel, food, and anchorage. Not my favorite. The next day you might want to stay at Cujo for secluded slight water anchorage, and then you will make Key West (your route in is well marked; good luck finding swing room). On the lucid side of your "Duval crawl" bring the family to the Wrecker's Museum. I'll leave you to the rest of the guides as to what is available there otherwise. Go to Garden Key and spend two nights. That's a whole 'nuther adventure and will take six days. Mark Major '86 H23 Lesismor
Presuming you will be taking a coastal route I'd recommend some anchorages I've enjoyed. Just south of the Sanibel causeway there is "New Pass" on the north end of Big Hickory with 6' anchorage, but watch your depths heading in; the real estate to the north I bought with $675 in (TowBoatUS insured) towing charges. After a liesurely day's sail you could overnight at Marco Island, where you will see on your chart Coconut Key, another well protected anchorage inside that strip of sand reaching around just west (or choose local marinas upriver a bit). From there you can go offshore or upriver; the inshore route will save you time so as you emerge past Coon Key to Gullivan Bay you can tarry and find some of the best tarpon fishing in the area. Head south to Indian Key and head up the Barron River to Everglades City. This is the heart of the "10,000 Islands", and as you cross Chocoloskee Bay you will be enchanted at the site of the Outward Bound outpost directly before you. Head upriver past the Lodge (which U.S. Presidents have found suitable), and overnight at "Larry's World Famous Barron River Resort and Marina Chickee Bar". I wouldn't sail to the Keys without stopping here, but I must warn you to keep in mind your destination for an "overnight" here can turn into...ok, just show up on Thursday, for that's bingo night so locals and snow birds give it a real ecclectic flavor. The food is pretty good, too. Stone crabs are in season until the end of April, and then the whole town pretty much shuts down. Refuel before debarking, and leave on an outgoing tide for record speeds, for at times they have 6 knot current. Note: To really get the flavor go to Smallwoods store in Chocoloskee and buy the book "Killing Mr. Watson", and read it as you progress this trip. Your next overnight should be in what I call the Shark River basin, on the southwest side of Shark Island. If you arrive early enough head upriver through the mangroves to Oyster Bay, and if time permits further into Whitewater Bay. I have taken this route further to Flamingo into Florida Bay but don't consider it this trip (its the closest thing to impossible). Flamingo is your next hope for fuel, food, and shower if but a bit out of your way if you are hell bent on hitting the Keys, though accessible on your coastal route. I enjoyed this overnight for a cheap slip ($.55/foot last time I was there), and you may witness a salt water crocodile (no, not 'gator) indigenous to the area. Its worth it if by this time you have become enchanted by our Everglades. In Flamingo buy the book "Everglades: River of Grass". Read it when you get home, or better yet, buy it now and prepare for the adventure. If you bypass Flamingo and go directly to "Marathon" (Vaca Key) you will be going through a minefield of crab "pots". Good luck, and respect the fact what you are cursing are valuable to the owners, so go gently and stop as soon as you snag one. You will stop after you snag two, regardless (at least I did). Don't cut them free, but take the time to back off or dive and clear. Welcome to the Florida Keys at Vaca. After the causeway head east for fuel, food, and anchorage. Not my favorite. The next day you might want to stay at Cujo for secluded slight water anchorage, and then you will make Key West (your route in is well marked; good luck finding swing room). On the lucid side of your "Duval crawl" bring the family to the Wrecker's Museum. I'll leave you to the rest of the guides as to what is available there otherwise. Go to Garden Key and spend two nights. That's a whole 'nuther adventure and will take six days. Mark Major '86 H23 Lesismor
"Larry's World Famous Barron River Resort and Mari
"Larry's World Famous Barron River Resort and Marina Chickee Bar". -I LOVED THAT PLACE! But...I was in everglades city in 12/05 and they the where closed. (had to launch at rod and gun club/lodge) ...there were a few rv's still there, but the chickee bar and marina/store were closed. I was told they sold to a real estate developer... Has Barron river resort reopened since I was there??? (this year went to calusa cove marina, just south of marco... in goodland. a pretty good full service marina w/ shower/laundry.) FWIW, behind new turkey key, there a good anchorage(8'), but entrance has 4' limiting depth. also I've been looking to try stopping at sandy key just south of flamingo. there the is a small anchorage there, reported to have 4'. (anyone know about sandy key anchorage? N of Oxfoot bank.)
"Larry's World Famous Barron River Resort and Marina Chickee Bar". -I LOVED THAT PLACE! But...I was in everglades city in 12/05 and they the where closed. (had to launch at rod and gun club/lodge) ...there were a few rv's still there, but the chickee bar and marina/store were closed. I was told they sold to a real estate developer...
Has Barron river resort reopened since I was there??? (this year went to calusa cove marina, just south of marco... in goodland. a pretty good full service marina w/ shower/laundry.) FWIW, behind new turkey key, there a good anchorage(8'), but entrance has 4' limiting depth. also I've been looking to try stopping at sandy key just south of flamingo. there the is a small anchorage there, reported to have 4'. (anyone know about sandy key anchorage? N of Oxfoot bank.)
It saddens me to hear that news,
for the last time I was there was the spring of '05 and there wasn't any indication it was for sale. Another part of Florida eroded away.
for the last time I was there was the spring of '05 and there wasn't any indication it was for sale. Another part of Florida eroded away.
This is what we do,
On day one we provision the boat and leave around 3:00 PM towards Egmont Key. We get there around 7:00PM and anchor there for the night. We cook a nice meal and hit the sack early as we are going to be moving by daybreak. We get out on the Gulf of Mexico beyond the 40 ft depth line to avoid lobster pot clusters and head straight for Venice, FL. The inlet is deep and well marked. The Crow's Nest Marina is there at the entrance and they have an excellent restaurant. Watch the currents as they can be tricky and especially the tide if you want to get an early start. We leave anywhere from 4:30 AM to 6:30 depending on the tide and once again go offshore to clear Sanibel Island and get a straight heading for Naples. We usually take time and spend a day in Naplesleaving around 2:00 AM on the final leg to Key West. The City Marina is the best place to stay. (We usually sail down in the summer and having shorepower for the A/C and restaurants makes it more convenient) In Key West we stay at Galeon Resort & Marina for the convenience of being at walking distance from the downtown area. It is a little pricey but what is not in Key West. There are other Marinas in the blight. From Key West is a 60 NM sail to the Dry Tortugas; here you leave the shallow waters of the Gulf and around the Peninsula for the deep blue waters of 50+ fathoms. Mind the weather as the crossing can get rough in storms. If you do not want to sail down you can catch a high speed ferry for a day trip. The trip straight from the Tortugas to Tampa Bay takes about 40 hours which means an overnight passage an the necessety for able crew. If shorthanded well come back via the Keys. Sleep depravation fortunately is not on the list of things I have to do. Have a wonderful time and if you take a dingui powered by a motor get it registered and display the numbers and sticker as the marine patrol in that area are watching and the fines are higher than the cost of registration.
On day one we provision the boat and leave around 3:00 PM towards Egmont Key. We get there around 7:00PM and anchor there for the night. We cook a nice meal and hit the sack early as we are going to be moving by daybreak. We get out on the Gulf of Mexico beyond the 40 ft depth line to avoid lobster pot clusters and head straight for Venice, FL. The inlet is deep and well marked. The Crow's Nest Marina is there at the entrance and they have an excellent restaurant. Watch the currents as they can be tricky and especially the tide if you want to get an early start. We leave anywhere from 4:30 AM to 6:30 depending on the tide and once again go offshore to clear Sanibel Island and get a straight heading for Naples. We usually take time and spend a day in Naplesleaving around 2:00 AM on the final leg to Key West. The City Marina is the best place to stay. (We usually sail down in the summer and having shorepower for the A/C and restaurants makes it more convenient) In Key West we stay at Galeon Resort & Marina for the convenience of being at walking distance from the downtown area. It is a little pricey but what is not in Key West. There are other Marinas in the blight. From Key West is a 60 NM sail to the Dry Tortugas; here you leave the shallow waters of the Gulf and around the Peninsula for the deep blue waters of 50+ fathoms. Mind the weather as the crossing can get rough in storms. If you do not want to sail down you can catch a high speed ferry for a day trip. The trip straight from the Tortugas to Tampa Bay takes about 40 hours which means an overnight passage an the necessety for able crew. If shorthanded well come back via the Keys. Sleep depravation fortunately is not on the list of things I have to do. Have a wonderful time and if you take a dingui powered by a motor get it registered and display the numbers and sticker as the marine patrol in that area are watching and the fines are higher than the cost of registration.
Fla Sailing
Mark, great narrative . Is this trip something you do in your h23 ?? We vacation in the area (Sanibel) and have recently thought about taking a boat down .Thanks, Mike
Mark, great narrative . Is this trip something you do in your h23 ?? We vacation in the area (Sanibel) and have recently thought about taking a boat down .Thanks, Mike
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