Captain Pascal's posting below was actually in response to a question I had asked in my "Florida Keys Wish List" about whether others had found shallow water at the intersection of the Inside Route/ICW and Tavernier Creek. Pascal details some other skinny spots to watch out for!

It's also a little skinny (5' MLW) at the entrance to dusenberry, bet 40 and 41, and further down near 58, also 5' MLW). remember that in florida bay water level can be lower when windy.
Pascal

On 12/4/08, as part of a “Florida Keys Wish List,” I posed the following question:

14. Who has anchored in Sunset Cove, off Buttonwood Sound (near Statute Mile 1143)? Did you find yourself amidst a whole collection of fellow cruising craft? Did you find anywhere to land a dinghy ashore?

Responses follow:

Sunset Cove gets shallow near shore and if you don’t get close you get the wakes from the ICW
Pascal

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Sunset Cove

On 12/4/08, as part of a “Florida Keys Wish List,” I posed the following question:

3. Has anyone anchored off Biscayne Bay’s Sands Key (near Statute Mile 1110)? What depths did you find? Would you recommend this anchorage to your fellow cruisers?

Responses follow:

You can anchor in 7 or 8′ of water on the north side of Sand Key, north of the sandbar off the cut. There is a little canal in the bend going to a pond, worth a trip with the dink.
The best anchorage in the area is still Eliott Key, though, I rarely anchor off sandkey. The water is clear, you can dinghy to the beach near the north.
There is a small marina halfway down, by the rangers building, small boats though (under 30).  no services, but a boardwalk/trail crossing to the ocean side.
Pascal

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Directory Listing For Sands Key

On 12/4/08, as part of a “Florida Keys Wish List,” I posed the following question:

1. Has anyone tried to anchor off Soldier Key? Did you find the entrance channel unmarked and tricky?

Responses follow:

You can anchor on the bay to the west… i’ve never dare trying to get close!
Pascal

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Soldier Key

On 12/4/08, as part of a "Florida Keys Wish List," I posed the following question:

50. Who has taken their own vessel to the Dry Tortugas, Garden Key and Fort Jefferson. Please describe your cruising experience. Would you recommend this passage to other cruisers? If so, what would be your minimum vessel size recommendations.

Responses follow:

Claiborne,
Enjoyed reading your wish list. I wish we had cruised the Keys more recently than the winter of 2004-5, so we could help answer some of your questions. The hurricanes of 2005 obviously changed a lot of things that we aren't aware of right now.
However, I doubt if the passage from Key West to Dry Tortugas has changed much, and we did that in our 35 foot trawler back in January  2005. We had a good weather window, and stayed anchored off the fort for 3 nights before returning to Key West (stopping at Marquesa Key both ways). The trip out was a piece of cake – relatively calm winds and seas. The return was a bit of a ride for the first 30 miles and we had to "tack" across 5-6 foot waves with a period of about 12 seconds, and reduce speed to around 5 knots or so until we got within the reefs which helped dampen the seas a bit. This was better than waiting another day when the forecast was for really rough weather!
We'd do it again in a heart beat. It is an idyllic place and unique from every perspective. The staff at Fort Jefferson is superbly friendly and helpful. Water wasn't much of a problem, although we did consciously conserve (washed dishes once a day, were careful when brushing teeth and washing, took showers on the day-cats, etc). When we returned after six days out, we had used less than 40 gallons of water.
I think one could make the trip in a smaller trawler (certainly a smaller sailboat) with a good weather window. You could always stay anchored at Fort Jefferson until a front passed (usually 3-4 days) if
you got caught. All the local fishermen come into the anchorage at night, and stay there during bad weather in relatively small boats.
The depth in the anchorage was about 20 feet, if I recall, so scope is important. Once set, our SuperMax held well, but there is some grass on the bottom that caused a problem for a couple of other boats that were there at the same time.
Bob McLeran and Judy Young  

On 12/4/08, as part of a “Florida Keys Wish List,” I posed the following question:

48. The city of Key West maintains a huge mooring field north of Fleming Key, administered by the city marina on Garrison Bight. Any of you who have stayed in the Key West mooring field recently, please share your experience. Did you get your holding tanks pumped out regularly? Were you able to dinghy ashore at Garrison Bight? Key West Bight?

Responses follow:

The mooring field at Fleming Key is a great place except in a north or north east wind. You can take your dink around to either Key West Marina. There is a facility charge in addition to use the docks at the Key west Bight, but itʼs worth the price.
Bob & Toni Dorman

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For The Fleming Key Mooring Field

On 12/4/08,as part of a “Florida Keys Wish List,” I posed the following question:

44. The other anchor down spot you might select between Marathon and Key West is Saddlebunch Harbor. Can someone who has been here recently please give us your impressions of this anchorage?

Responses follow:

Saddlebunch Harbor is one of our favorites. Itʼs especially great if you enjoy watching F18s take off over your mast.  Four or five boats fit in, the entrance channel is well marked, but itʼs best to have someone on the bow at the outer marker
Bob & Toni Dorman

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Saddlebunch Harbor

On 12/4/08, as part of a “Florida Keys Wish List,” I posed the following quesiton:

10. Gilberts Marina is located on the western shores of Jewfish Creek. For many, this is their first stop in the Florida Keys. Who has docked here recently? What did you find? Was the adjacent restaurant operating, and did you eat there? How was the food?

Responses follow:

I docked at Gilberts about six weeks ago.  $2/ft./night.  Docks are rundown and restrooms are shared with bar patrons (enough said).  Still a fun atmosphere.
Dick Bodner

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Gilberts Marina

On 12/4/08, as part of a “Florida Keys Wish List,” I posed the following question:

11. Just across from Gilberts, on the opposite shore, cruisers will find Anchorage Resort and Yacht Club. Has anyone docked here recently? What was your experience.

Responses follow:

Hi,
I docked my 29 ft. Prairie at Anchorage Resort last month.  There was plenty of space and the rate was $2.50/ft.  Amenities are a swimming pool and a hot tub.  One restroom for the entire marina but since there were few boats there it was not a problem.  I found it clean.
The restaurant next door, Marley’s Seafood Grill is great!  Order the CalaMarley appetizer (calamari).  It’s just like you get on the Costa del Sol in Spain.  Also their “Jalea” dinner is excellent and huge (one is enough for two hungry people)  It has an assortment of fried (in a special batter) seafood, including calamari and dolphin and shrimp etc. and some fried yucca strips…… mouthwatering!
The draw bridge over Jewfish Creek has been removed so it’s a bit of a walk over the new elevated roadway to walk to Gilbert’s.  Gilberts has a band on Sunday and Karaoke on Tuesday.  A real, laid-back Keys atmosphere.
Dick Bodner
Prairie 29 Trawler, Private Island

Stayed at Anchorage last year around Early March. Were on their cement  face dock by pool. Quiet. No complaints – nice people, seems like  marina was a sideline – the guy helping us with lines was the hotel  maintenance guy I believe. However, the restaurant right next store is  fantastic – we had dinner there one night and lunch when passing by  car. Marley’s is the name.
Capt. John Wild

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For

On 12/4/08, as part of a “Florida Keys Wish List,” I posed the following question:

46. There are many, good marina facilities in Key West Bight. Can someone please comment on as many of these marinas as possible: Galleon Marina, A&B Marina, Key West City Marina, Conch House Marina!

Responses follow:

Claiborne,
Your request was very timely as I arrived in Key West just yesterday on my boat Dancing Bear and am staying at the Key West Bight Marina for a week.  Over the years I have stayed at all 4 marina here in the harbor; Conch Harbor Marina, Key West Bight Marina, A&B Marina, and the Galleon Marina.  All are great, all are different, and it depends on your personal taste for nearby locations, your vessel type, and the general atmosphere you enjoy.  
Conch Harbor Marina and Key West Bight Marina both have fixed docks, so the freeboard on your vessel might be one the the determining factors in choosing to stay at one of these marinas.  Key West has a average tidal swing of about 2 feet, so getting on and off your boat might be an issue at a fixed dock.  The slips at Key West Bight Marina all have full length finger peers one side, where as, the majority of slips at Conch Harbor only have finger peers that come out about 25% of the overall length of the slip.  This makes backing into the slip almost a must, unless you like climbing over the bow pulpit.  For those single screw vessels, sans bow thruster, the dock staff are great in assisting with a push from a RIB they have standing by if you wish however.  Just call and arrange with the dock master.  A nice amenity that Conch Harbor has over all but the Galleon Marina is use of pool that is on the property.  Neither the Key West Bight Marina or A&B have this amenity.
A&B and Galleon marina’s both have floating docks so vessel freeboard should never be an issue, unless yours is very high and you left the boarding ladder at home.  A&B does not have any finger peers so backing in is a must and you tie off from 2 outer pilings and from the one main dock.  (There is a t-head at the end of the main dock, and if available, 2 – 3 slip spaces would have a floating dock along side.)  In December of 2007 we stayed at A&B and found it fabulous.  The dock hands are great with assisting you.  Just know that you really need good boat handling skills, because you’ll be maneuvering in pretty tight spaces.  Keep those side fenders out when entering or leaving because the vessels are berthed, rail to rail.  The Galleon Marina is the largest and all slips have a floating finger peer along side.  Because the marina stretches along the full length of the break wall from the harbor entrance, and then up to the Galleon Resort, your walk to and from your slip can be pretty long.
As I said earlier, only the Galleon and Conch Harbor have a swimming pool for slip renters and both of these marinas have the “pay for the day” wireless internet service.  However, I have found the coverage area for these two internet services, reaches both the Key West Bight and A&B.
This is just a “top of mind” dump of what I will write this week for you.  I will gather more information on current rates and other amenities I have forgotten about right now as I write this on Sunday morning.  I was also at the Dry Tortugas in September (chased out be TS Fay, and will provide an update on it.
All the best,
Capt. Rich
M/V Dancing Bear

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Galleon Marina

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For A&B Marina

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Key West Bight City Marina

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Conch Harbor Marina

I copied the question and answer below from the AGLCA list. As usal, Captain Alan gives superb advice!

Does anyone have a favorite marina in Marathon to stay for 2 or 3 days?
Bob Koerner

My favorite is Marathon Marina.  This is the first marina entering on  Boot Key Channel.   It is before the bridge.   Best views of  the sunset.  Stayed here a couple of times.  The bus to Key West stops  at the end of the road.  I have also used the bus to go to Boaters World,  etc.  Its only two stops but for $1 its cheaper than a taxi.  Bus  runs on a 1.5 hour schedule.
Alan  Lloyd

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Marathon Marina & Boatyard

On 12/4/08, as part of a “Florida Keys Wish List,” I posed the following question:

Does anyone know if the mooring field off the northwestern side of Lignumvitae Key (off the Inside/ICW route, near #91A) has been re-established since the 2005 hurricane season? If so, have you moored here? Did you find enough shelter for a comfortable overnight stay? Did you go ashore and take a tour of the Florida state park on Lignumvitae Key? Did you enjoy your visit ashore?

Responses follow:

Lingumvitae Mooring. Weʼve stopped here twice. With a south wind it was peaceful, with a north east it was very bouncy. A few moorings are sheltered around the south west side but theyʼve always been taken.
Bob and Toni Dorman

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Lignumvitae Key State Park Mooring Field

On 12/4/08, as part of a “Florida Keys Wish List,” I posed the following question:

Turning now, for the first time, to the outside/Hawk Channel route, has anyone run the channel and canal leading to John C. Pennekamp Park Marina? Were you able to find an overnight transient slip here? Please describe the services you encountered, and the general condition of the marina. Conversely, did you pick up a mooring in Largo Sound? This mooring field is also managed by the Pennekamp Park. What depths did you find in the mooring field? How about shelter from inclement weather? Would you recommend this mooring field to fellow cruisers?

Responses follow:

John Pennekamp park.  Weʼve stayed at the marina and on a mooring. The marina is really for commercial tourist boats and not well suited for pleasure craft. The Lagoon entrance is shallow, maybe 4 feet, the moorings limited (get reservations) and have little protection from strong northerlies. To enjoy the park you must dinghy around back to the marina.  Restaurants and Publix are within walking distance.
Bob and Toni Dorman

I called John Pennecamp Park Marina to ask about a slip.  They said that the channel in was only 4.5 feet deep at high tide and that the bottom was rocky.    Definitely not for me — I draw 5.5
Dick Mills
SV Tarwathie

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For John C. Pennekamp State Park Marina

On 12/4/08, as part of a “Florida Keys Wish List,” I posed the following question:

Who has anchored in Sunset Cove, off Buttonwood Sound (near Statute Mile 1143)? Did you find yourself amidst a whole collection of fellow cruising craft? Did you find anywhere to land a dinghy ashore?

Responses follow:

Sunset Cove Weʼve anchored there often. It is rarely crowded. The sailing club no longer welcomes cruisers, but there are a few local restaurants with docks to tie up to. We just make sure to buy a beer at the bar to compensate and so far there has been no problem. Unfortunately, the Cuban market has closed, but Walgreens has some basic supplies.
Bob and Toni Dorman

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Sunset Dove

On 12/4/08, as part of a “Florida Keys Wish List,” I posed the following question:

21. Has anyone anchored off Rodriguez Key (west, northwest of Hawk Channel’s marker #37)? Did you find enough shelter here for a comfortable overnight stay?

Responses follow:

Anchored there in 2004 prior to jumping off to the Bahamas (South Riding Rock). Stayed there a couple days waiting for 22 to 25 kt ESE winds to settle. They never did so we bit the bullet and went anyway. My memory has faded but to my recollection the north side anchorage was surprisingly calm, even to these winds, when staying over to the west side of the anchorage area. Anchored there on the return trip too, but there were only zephyrs then.
Bob Hanners

I’ve anchored on both sides of Rodriguez Key.  It’s a very convenient jumping off place to cross to the Bahamas.   Anchoring was good but you are very exposed if the wind clocks around on you.  We also found it hard to find sandy patches to anchor legally.  You can get fined if you anchor in sea grass. The good part, is that the water around the island is as clear as Bahamas water. Great for scouting the bottom.
Dick Mills
SV Tarwathie

Hi:
Anchored on N side of Rodriguez in a max 10 kt breeze from the the NW and was happy with it. Departing on December 5 AM into Hawk Channel,  saw two boats anchored on the S side. (Beneteau 343/drawing 4’9″)
Appreciate your online info.
Tom
SV Move
Boot Key Harbor

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Rodriguez Key Anchorage

On 12/4/08, as part of a “Florida Keys Wish List,” I posed the following question:

39. The conversion of Boot Key Harbor from an anchorage to a mooring field, has been one of the great success stories of the Florida Keys. Most of the sunken and semi-sunken vessels have been removed, and the water is much cleaner. Also, the city of Marathon has built a nice shoreside support facility (Marathon City Marina), with good dinghy dockage, wet slip dockage, showers and Laundromat. Will someone who has picked up a mooring at Boot Key Harbor lately please comment on the mooring field, and Marathon City Marina. Did you have to get on a waiting list to secure a mooring?

Responses follow:

We spent two weeks at Boot Key Harbor and loved it and Marathon.  We were there in March and it was not too crowded.  Others said that you did have to anchor out and waite for a ball to open in January and Feb.  Keep in mind that the pump-outs are MANDATORY.  Even the dirt bags in the derelic boats must be pumped out once per week. 

We only draw 50 inches and had no problems with debth but we ran aground off of Largo when we left the channell but were fine when we followed Skippers Bobs direction.. There is some grass that has to be avoided.  Not much to do there and had to hunt for a place to land the dinghy for our dogs.
George

In the [Boot Key] harbor today (Dec 7) we found maybe 50 moorings still vacant so the waiting list is not active yet. 
Sadly, Smorgasboat no longer provides the water taxi service.  They do however, still do harbor tours.
I can’t say too much good about Marathon City Marina.  They seem to set the gold standard for everything having to do with running a mooring field and marina.   I just learned today that they even have a TV camera to inspect the mooring tackle on the bottom for maintenance purposes.  Who else does that?    The pump-out boat, the handling of dinghies, and bikes, and parked cars, and mooring maintenance, and hazmat disposal.  The bathrooms, showers and laundry  are the only sucky things.  But wait, they’re about to open a brand new bathroom/shower/laundry building any day now.
Dick Mills
SV Tarwathie

Prior to the opening of 60 or so additional moorings there was often a wait list. That hasnʼt happened to us since.
Bob & Toni Dorman

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Boot Key Harbor City Marina (a. k.a. Marathon City Marina)

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Boot Key Harbor Mooring Field and Anchorage

On 12/4/08, as part of a "Florida Keys Wish List," I posed the following question:

32. Channel Five (near Statute Mile 1150 on the Inside/ICW route) is arguably the most important passage to connect between the Inside/ICW passage and Hawk Channel. That’s partly because it is crossed by a fixed, 65-foot bridge. Conversely, there is a real absence of navigational markers on Channel Five. Has anyone else been bothered by this scarcity of aids to navigation?

Responses follow:

Channel 5 Bridge posed no problems for us in either direction.  We did pass through both times with good daylight.
George

On 12/4/08, as part of a “Florida Keys Wish List,” I posed the following question:

26. Who has cruised into Little Basin and possibly stayed at Bayside Marina (at World Wide Sportsman)? What MLW depths did you discover in Little Basin? Did anyone eat next door at Islamorada Fish Company? Are the grouper sandwiches as awesome as ever?

Responses follow:

IFC still has great sandwiches as well as everything else. 
George

On 12/4/08, as part of a “Florida Keys Wish List,” I posed the following question:

Moving now into Islamorada, has anyone stayed at Loreli Marina off the Inside/ICW route? I’ve always gotten the impression that the wet slip side of this operation is more of the live-aboard variety. Has that changed? Who has hoisted a few at the on-site tiki bar? Are the sunsets still as spectacular as ever?

Responses follow:

Islamorada is still great.  We anchored there in clean 5 to 8 foot water for several days going down and back up.  Great anchorage and Loreli’s still allows cruisers to land their dinghy’s there.  The Tiki bar is great and the sunsets are still the same.  Also nice place to eat but grab seat long before the sunset because it gets full then empties out (a bit). 
George

Anchored out off the Loreli and took the dinghy in for refreshments. The marina looked full with long term residents. The beer and entertainment were fine.
Bob and Toni Dorman

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Islamorada Anchorage

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Lorelei Marina

On 12/4/08, as part of a “Florida Keys Wish List,” I posed the following question:

38. Closer to the Boot Key Harbor bridge, cruisers will find both Panchos Fuel Dock and Burdines Marina. Someone please give us reports on these two facilities.

Responses follow:

We obtained fuel at the Panchos Fuel Dock. It is what it is, a fuel stop. It was fine, easy to dock and leave.
Ron Hollander

Fueled and got water at both places.  I liked Burdines, mostly because of the tattooed chick operating the fuel dock. 
George

When looking at Panchos from Burdines it seems that the remodeling work has been completed. There are a few boats in the slips but in general there is not much activity, at least not during the early November period. We’ll know more when we get back end of this month.
Burdines is doing fine. All slips are taken. The Chiki Tiki seems busy, although in general we have noticed activities quieting down. The economy is no doubt taking its toll. For instance, last year Burdines and Ponchos were swamped with boats returning from the Ft. Lauderdale boat show. This year we saw one. A really big one. I am not sure that one big one makes up for the lack of many smaller ones
Pam

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Panchos Fuel Dock

Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Burdines Marina