Florida Keys Sailing Highlights

Biscayne Bay: Biscayne Bay is protected by a shoal offshore which makes for smooth sailing and well-protected anchorages. Look for an odd assortment of houses built on stilts, called “Stiltsville.”

No Name Harbor: A short sail to this peaceful anchorage beneath Cape Florida Lighthouse gives you the option of two restaurants to choose from, one in the harbor and the other overlooking the beach.

Elliot Key: Your destination one evening could be Elliot Key or if you are making good time, continue on to round, little Pumpkin Key, which always has a lee side.

Hawk Channel – Key Largo: At the south end of Biscayne Bay/Card Sound is this body of water between the Keys and off-shore reefs. Angelfish Creek is a winding little channel cut through thick mangroves.

Florida Keys Reefs: There are several reefs that have permanent mooring buoys you tie onto without anchoring. Carysfort Reef, the Elbow, and Grecian Rocks are just a few of your choices, and bunched close together, so why not visit them all?

Key Largo: As the south end of Key Largo there are a number of different marinas to choose from: Marina Del Mar to port and Key Largo Harbor to starboard. There is a grocery store and drug store next to an ice cream shop. It’s a short ride to The Fish House, one of the best seafood meals in the Keys.

Rodriguez Key: Why not waste away a day in Margaritaville? You have plenty of time to partake of all the activities at Holiday Isle Resort or you can head out for another day of snorkeling on the reefs.

Lower Matecumbe Key: After passing Hens & Chickens, continuing southwest approximately 6 miles to the north end of Lower Matecumbe Key you will find Indian Key Anchorage. Along the way, you again have a choice of several beautiful reefs for snorkeling: Conch Reef, Davis Reef, and Pickles Reef. If you have never tried snorkeling on a tropical reef before, you will be amazed by the beauty.

Indian Key Anchorage: You can dinghy into the dock at and walk around what used to be a thriving community. This was the Dade County seat from 1836 until 1840 -- when the Indians burned it down. This would be a perfect anchorage to barbecue off the stern of the boat, a great option for dinner.

Alligator Reef: Here you will find plenty of bright and colorful tropical fish on this shallow reef.

Holiday Isle Beach Resort on Windley Key: Here you will find restaurants, arts and crafts shops, sport fishing, wind surfing, parasailing, jet skiing, swimming pools and great beaches…all Florida Key’s style!

Duck Key: Here you will find Hawk’s Key Marina where amenities include fresh and salt water pools, poolside bar, tennis courts and workout room, restaurants and a very popular dolphin shows.

John Pennekamp State Park: This Park, combined with the adjacent Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, encompass 178 nautical miles of mangroves, coral reefs and beds of sea grass.

Coconut Grove: Your slip is close to downtown, which is filled with shops, restaurants and clubs.

Bimini Island Chain Highlights

Alice Town: Here you will find friendly people, quaint shops, several bars and restaurants and a beautiful deserted white sand beach on the west side of the island. The Anchorage Restaurant across from the Bimini Blue Water Resort is a great place for dinner or if you would like a spectacular sunset with your meal go to the Bimini Bay Restaurant. Call the Bimini Bay Restaurant and they will send a courtesy van to pick you up.

Bimini Road Anchorage and the Lost City of Atlantis: After leaving Bimini Harbor, turn to the northeast for about three and half (3.5) miles to the rocks just off the hotel marked on the chart. There are wonderful underwater sights to see for all the snorkelers and divers on board. If there are mooring buoys, pick one up, if not, drop your anchor in the white sand.

North Rock: For your evening anchorage, sail northeast two and half (2.5) miles to North Rock and then turn southeast for another two and a half (2.5) miles. From this point motor into the shoreline until you are in eight to ten (8-10) feet of water for anchoring. You may feel like you have the world to yourself while walking this beautiful deserted beach and exploring the mangroves by dinghy.

The Wreck of the Sapona: About two miles south past the Bimini Harbor entrance, between Round Rock and North Turtle Rock you will sail east and southeast clearing the shallow area just east of Turtle Rocks. You will be able to see the wreck of the Sapona, a concrete ship, from quite a distance and this is your intermediate destination today. Anchor anywhere around the ship putting out plenty of anchor rode. The brightly colored fish love to congregate here and if you swim around to the west side of the wreck you can actually snorkel inside the broken hull! Be aware the current runs swiftly at times.

Gun Key Anchorage: From the Sapona sail almost due south until you are just off the rocks north of Gun Cay -- about three and a half miles. At this point, motor along the eastern edge of the sand bar and Gun Cay; the secret to successful anchoring here is to find a sandy spot, drive over it and drop you hook just a head of the sand. Your anchor should drag through the grass and hold in the sand. This is a very popular anchorage so you will often have company here. Gun Cay is an uninhabited island always awaiting a shore party! If you enjoy fishing, this is close to the Bahama bank where the fish are hiding

Honeymoon Harbor: Why not turn on Bahamian time and have a lazy morning swimming and sunbathing. If you would like a more active morning – try taking the dinghy around to Honeymoon Harbor, the white crescent beach at the north end of Gun Cay, for a walk and shell gathering.

Dollar Harbor, South Cat Cay: If your preference is deserted tropical islands, South Cat Cay offers a long rocky and sandy coastline along the western side. You can walk up around the northern tip of the island where there is a white sandy beach.

Wedge Rocks: If you are already in Dollar Harbor, take your dinghy or your boat out to Wedge Rocks for another afternoon of snorkeling. You can either stay at Dollar Harbor tonight or run back to the Gun Cay anchorage. Either location puts you in a good position for your departure to Miami.