First attempt at the Florida Keys

[John Averell]

We are planning to trailer our Mac25 from New York to the Florida Keys next summer, sailing for about ten days, sleeping aboard some nights, ashore others. Anybody have some hints on places to anchor overnight, places to stay ashore, marinas, eating places, foodshops, dos and don'ts, etc. Any information will be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Flip]

Reefs

I loved tying up to the bouys at the reefs for the night. Staying on the inside of the reef is a lot smoother as the reef breaks the waves. Everyone else goes home at 5:00 so you have the reef to yourself.

 

[Scott K.]

Key Largo!

We trailer down to the Captain's Hat Marina in Key Largo. Our Mac 25 is a great cruising boat for that area. Cruise Barnes Sound; you visit the reef by motoring thru Angel Fish Creek. We also head west thru Jew Fish Creek to Tarpon Basin. It is actually in the Everglades Nat'l Park,peaceful and beautiful. On the way there or back, you can stop off at Gilbert Marina (next to the bridge) where you tie up next to a tropical outside bar. A laundry facility is right there and a good restaurant. We do our laundry, grab some seafood, and have a few Planter's Punches. You can empty your porta-potti there too. The Macgregor can anchor where other boats can't. Perfect for the Keys. Be ready for rain, pack screens, and happy cruising!

 

[ftldiver]

bayside, snake creek drawbridge to outside

Good choice, launch at jew fish creek (drawbridge), -try Gilberts (N side) showers/pool/laundry/ bait/bar/motel.. (1st bridge after 18 mi stretch) you can go n into barnes sound, n past cardsound bridge, (Huge arch bridge), and into biscayne bay, then to outside/reef thru: angelfish, broad, or ceasers creek.. or stay inside all way upto key biscayne... (sands-cut , has great sandbar, very popular on weekends.) elliot key has showers, toilets, docks, camping, grills, etc. (no drinking water)Or go south at Gilberts, into blackwater sound, & buttonwood sound west into florida bay, (everglades nat park). (nestkey has outhouse and beach). (avg 3 ft depth)or stay south via intra costal, to snake creek Drawbridge, and cross to outside there.Or, drop sails/mast, and cross thru narrow & deep cut thru key largo at end of blackwater sound. thru into largo sound (fixed bridge 32' vert.) heavy current! (wait for your tide)south in largo sound to pennicamp park area, or (shorter) n thru markers to reefs. plenty of small coves to anchor in on bay side of keys... (cowpens, cotton key basin, matecumbe)key west is also excellent. if you want to haul that far.

 

[ftldiver]

more keys stuff

holiday isle (tiki bar/rumrunners). is located at ocean side of whale harbor chanel. low fixed bridge. on weekends everybody goes to the sandbar on outside of whale harbor. on inside madera bay, worldwide sportsman, loreeli, islamarada fish co. all nice for sunsets/ dinner.robbies on lower matecumby chanel has huge tarpon to feed. popps motel and stoneledge are both clean and cheap on bayside of key largo.snappers for dinner by car only. key largo. read your charts and watch out at night.

 

[Chip Giles]

Start at Homestead Bayfront Park

Put in at Homestead Bayfront Park in the southern end of Biscayne Bay. It has good access to the Keys and is a great place to leave your vehicle.If you are going to Key West, anchor off of Sigbee Annex of NAF Key West. 1/2 mile out there is good holding in 7 feet of water. The boat traffic is minimal.