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Please Note That Postings Below From Fellow Cruisers Are Listed in Chronological Order, Based on Publication Date
Cruisers visiting the warm waters and sun kissed sands of Key Largo during late January 2012, will want to make every effort to attend this FUN event!
A festival chock full of fresh stone crabs, conch, local seafood, music, entertainment and fun for the entire family, including a Conch Cook-Off, cooking demonstrations, a peel-and-eat shrimp eating contest, a “little mermaid” contest and a kids’ play area with live fish aquarium & touch tank. Arts & craft vendors, Junkanoo band, magic shows, face painters, food, beverages and key lime pie.
More details at:
http://keylargoseafoodfestival.com/
Captain Paul and Key Lime Sailing Club are one of our oldest and most loyal SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS!
So, here’s the deal. If you rent a room at Key Lime Sailing Club, it comes complete with your own 22′ Catalina sailcraft. How’s that for a deal!
This is a great Place, As the Owner and on site manager for 11 years, I personally make sure each of my guests has the best vacation the Florida Keys has to offer, With its great Weather and setting around the beach getting some sun, Kayaking, Fishing, Snorkeling, swimming in the warm waters of the Florida bay, or Sailing off to see the Florida Everglades and the 100′s of Islands that make it up our Shoal Draft 22′ Catalina sailboat will get you there and Safely back to port to see one of the nicest sunsets in the keys. I am sure if you try us, you will be back again & again……….Check out our Site…..[Click sponsorship icon at above left to access the Key Lime Sailing Club website!]
…….. We are Easy to Reach But Hard to Forget……..
Thank You
Paul
SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR Key Lime Sailing Club is offering GREAT off-season rates. Check it out at their website by clicking either their sponsorship panel to the left, or the link to their web site below:
www.keylimesailingclub.com
HEADS UP for those mariners following the Hawk Channel south from Miami to the Florida Keys. The cryptic excerpt below taken from the Local Notice to Mariners, week 44/11, gives notice of a sunken wreck lying just 5 feet below the waters surface.
We have carefully plotted the position of this dangerous derelict, and it lies some .45 of a nautical miles east of the center of Hawk Channel, between Hawk Channel markers #4 and #7, west of Ledbury Reef and east of the Ragged Keys. Click the “Chart View” link below to view the position of the reported sunken wreck.
FLORIDA KEYS-FOWEY ROCKS TO ALLIGATOR REEF-HAWK CHANNEL: Hazard to Navigation
The Coast Guard has received a report of a 58ft P/C sunk in position 25-32.5N 080-08.6W. This unmarked wreckage is approximately 5 ft below waterline at mean low tide. All mariners are advised to transit the area with caution. [Ref MIA BNM 318-10] Chart 11462
Pilot House Marina continues to receive praise here on the Cruisers’ Net. Clearly, this is one of the most cruiser friendly facilities in the upper Keys.
We stayed at Pilot House Marina 5 days. The first morning our coffee maker died. I went to the ship’s store and explained the problem. The lady went to the resturant and made a pitcher of coffee for us. To our suprise, a pitcher of coffe was provided all the other mornings too. A VERY enjoyable stay and a caring and knowledgeable staff!
Hal Womersley
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For Pilot House Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Pilot House Marina
Pilot House Marina lies at the western end of a small, but deep canal that leaves the briny blue, and Hawk Channel south of the Key Largo Canal, and eventually joins with Lake Largo. Pilot House is one of the most transient friendly marinas on the Hawk Channel side of Key Largo. Glad to hear they are expanding their dockage. Thanks to Captain Sterling for this “exclusive” report!
Giving you an exclusive on this one,, Don, harbormaster at Pilot House Marina, Key Largo, has started construction on 17 new slips on floating dock , 50 amp, 30 amp, pump outs NEW showers, laundry , and a “cruisers” lounge, free wifi, all live aboard and transient slips. Something Key Largo has been needing.
Harbor Master Don is really wanting to make the Pilot House a destination for loopers, and cruisers alike.
See you on the waterways!
Capt. Sterling
MV SterlingLady
38 MT Tradewinds
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For Pilot House Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Pilot House Marina
To find one’s way from the Hawk Channel to Marina Del Mar, you must run the marked and charted channel to what I call the Key Largo Canal, north of Lake Largo. Marina Del Mar has always struck me as a bit on the touristy side, but, on the other hand, it is one of the few facilities on the Hawk Channel side of Key Largo that offers transient dockage.
A good place to spend the night would be Marina del Mar. A little pricey (3.00 per foot plus electric) but a very calm marina and lots of stuff to do within walking or biking distance. Home to African Queen (boat used in Bogey movie of same name). There are 3 pools on site, two restaurants (Coconuts also has live entertainment weekends, and good drinks and bartenders), and a continental breakfast comes with the slip. Showers at two locations depending on what side of the marina you are on, and both excellent. Laundry facilites as well
Best local restaurant off site would be Ballyhoos about 2 miles south of the marina.
My normal morning activity is to get up early and watch all the fishing and snorkeling boats departing the marina. if you do want to snorkel or dive, Molasses is best and closest, and best time to go is between 11:00 and 1:00 (the commercial boats have all returned to their docks prepping for afternoon run).
If you decide to go talk to Candi, the dockmaster, and tell her the captain of In-T-Mate recommended the marina. No financial advantage for me, but it gets me good points when i do show up, and I stay there a lot.
Good luck and smooth sailing.
K. Conners
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marina Del Mar Marina and Resort
Pilot House Marina can be a little tricky for first timers to locate. Study chart 11451, and scan the Key Largo section of the Florida Keys west of Mosquito Bank and Hawk Channel marker #35. If you look sharp, you’ll spy Lake Largo. Pilot House lies on the northern banks of the canal approaching Key Largo, just as the passage enters Lake Largo.
Incidentally, your depth sounder has not lost its mind if you note soundings exceeding 20 feet on Lake Largo. This body of water was a one-time Rock Quarry for Henry Flagler’s railroad that “went to sea.” But, that’s another story for another day.
We’re on a 46′ Sea Ray and stayed at Pilot House Marina for four days… thoroughly enjoyable! The approach is a canal that looks tricky but is not. The staff at Pilot House is knowledgeable and attentive, especially Dockmaster Don Brown (who even pulled our dog’s tennis ball out of the water not once, but twice!). There are two restaurants on site (one with a glass-bottomed bar), and a dolphin research center and a community park (with swimming pool, tennis courts, and fitness track) are within easy walking distance. Pilot House is not for the resort-minded, but is a casual, very friendly, and comfortable marina with unequalled sunsets.
Kim and Terry
“Hawkeye”
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For Pilot House Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Pilot House Marina
The marked channel leading to Curtis Marina cuts off the ocean/Hawk Channel north of Tavernier Key. First time entry by visitors can be tricky!
This marina is almost always full with about 20 slips, mostly live aboards. Next to Curtis is Blue Waters Marina a live aboard marina. sometimes you can get a slip there. Our draft is 4.5ft & we had no problem. Stay to your port in the deeper water before coming in the markers to the channel.
Steve
The channel can be easily traversed with over 5′ draft to either Curtis Marine or BlueWaters marina. We draw 5’3″ and have no trouble with at least 1′ above datum, (3 hours +- high tide) The shallow spot is just before the channel entrance lighted G”1″ and R”2″, stay to starbord, over toward the red to avoid a hump. Once inside the first markers the channel is very deep.
If you need to wait for the tide, the anchorage on the NW side of Tavernier Keys is excellent, with depths raging from 5 to 8 feet at low water.
Capt. Edana Long
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For Curtis Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Curtis Marina
Looks like the aground/sunken vessel reported below is located off the ocean side shores of Key Largo, between Rodruiguez Key and Dove Key.
FLORIDA-FLORIDA KEYS-DOVE KEY: Hazard to Navigation
The Coast Guard has recevied a report of a 25-28 ft wooden hull vessel marked USCG in white paint aground in the vicinity of Dove Key in position
025-02N 080-28W. All mariners are advised to transit the area with caution. [Ref: SKW BNM 025-11] Chart 11451
Actually, the “crash corner” referred to below by Captains Richard and Neena is NOT located on the approach channel to the John Pennecamp State Park Marina. Rather, it will be discovered on what I call the “Key Largo Canal” which lies just a short hop south of the marked entrance to the park. Key Largo Canal leads to Marina Del Ray, and several other facilities, while the park channel leads to, you guessed it, the Park marina and a nearby mooring field on Largo Sound.
It was with some trepidation that we decided to come into the park~ after all the cruising descriptions ” CRASH CORNER”, and “DANGEROUS TURN” gave some pause! Channel is well marked, we never saw less than 6′ on a mid tide, all the Cruise Boat ( they have a set schedule so you can call ahead and avoid the big cruise boat if need be) and Dive Boat operators are courteous and the Park Dockmaster Scott coudn’t be more welcoming. There is laundry on premises and several nice restaurants, a Publix and a West Marine are within a mile walk. Slips have electric, water and there is a good working pump out. We are delighted we made the stop.
RICHARD & NEENA RODGERS
MV SLOOPLESS
It’s fun to stay at John Pennekamp State Park on Key Largo. They have a few slips for big or small boats and lots of mooring space for small boats. We stayed there in our 53 ft. Hatteras right at the park dock. Very interesting to go in through the marked mangrove channels and plenty of water depth with minimum of 5 ft. plus. Take the park boat to snorkel or scuba at the underwater state park coral reef or just go out and grab a free govt. mooring ball with your own boat (watch the charts carefully). Great park to walk around there and some minimal park type food, but nothing else you can walk to.
Depending on how far you usually cruise, you can easily make that your only stop between Marathon and Miami with two 50 NM days or so.
Doug
Moving south from Miami, Angelfish Creek is the first really practical inlet that skippers of cruising sized craft might consider to cruise from Biscayne Bay/the Florida Keys Inside Route to Hawk Channel, or the other way around. For the past five years or so, there have been rumors of an underwater “rock” on the Hawk Channel side of this passage, near the channel’s edge. Some have reported finding this hazard the hard way, while others have sworn it was not there at all. Looks like our fearless roving reporter, Captain Jane, had good luck here!
Our January 2011 update for Angelfish Creek: We favored greens 1, 2, 3. And favored the reds 6 to 14. No problem for us at 1.3 above MLW. We draw 5 feet. The lowest we saw was 7 feet at the entrance near Green daymark 1.
Your Fearless Roving Reporter
Captain Jane
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Angelfish Creek
The entrance channel to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Marina is found off Hawk Channel, on the east side of Key Largo, at flashing red marker #2 which lies west, northwest of Hawk Channel marker #35. By panning down on the linked Chart View page below you can find marker #35 off Mosquito Bank.
We stayed three nights over Thanksgiving weekend 2010. The facilities were fine, but the showers weren’t available since a contractor was working on the park facilities. Our only complaint was the no-see-ums, which were voracious when the wind wasn’t howling. Helpful folks at the marina, and acted like they were actually glad we were there!
Skipper Jack Kuhlmann
Captain Jane’s observations on this anchorage mirror my own experiences. It’s fine if you must anchor near to Hawk Channel, as long as the weather does not get to agitated. Give me a well sheltered Florida Key Anchorage on the inside route very time, but, with the draft of Captain Jane’s vessel, that would be an iffy proposition at best.
Anchored on north side of Rodriguez Key
Sometimes you don’t want to stop and savor the swells of Hawk Channel and just want to get to Marathon — especially if your vessel draws 5 feet or more. With Pennekamp State Park now off limits to boats drawing more than 4 1/2 feet, according to the ranger who answered the phone the two times we have asked, that leaves safe harbors few and far between for many cruising boats.
Rodriguez Key anchorage took good care of us during a small craft advisory one December night. Yes, we rocked enthusiastically when the front came in but we didn’t drag. We chose a spot in the charted anchorage on the island’s north side, close enough to be in her lee. Another vessel was quite a distance north of the island. She was there in the morning in apparently the same position as at sunset.
We experienced excellent holding in 8 1/2 feet of water– winds were gusting at 20. North swells made it not my favorite experience but tolerable. I’ve experienced far less comfortable southern swells at Indian Key and similar conditions at Pumpkin Key. We set two anchors, a Fortress and a plow.
It might have been more comfortable on the south side of the island, where another sailboat anchored that night, but I’m not sure as the swells in Hawk Channel are difficult to hide from. The NOAA predictions had been so wrong that day, it was difficult to know which side to choose.
We met some experienced skippers who use this anchorage every crossing. It certainly makes possible a two-day trip between Dinner Key and Marathon which can be useful in a period of frequent cold fronts when three-day weather windows can be hard to find.
In short, Rodriguez Key is a swell anchorage (pun intended) with excellent holding. The charted shoal on the eastern point appears to be marked by small floats. In a blow, set two anchors and bring plenty of ginger snaps.
Captain Jane
S/V Lady Jane
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Rodriguez Key Anchorage
I have rechecked my notes as to what depths I discovered when I last sounded Largo Sound. I did indeed record depths as shallow as 4 feet, and as much as 6-feet or slightly less. HAS ANYONE ELSE PICKED UP A MOOING HERE LATELY. What depths did you find? Please click the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, and share your information.
Claiborne,
I recently sent an email to you regarding Largo Sound. The park’s dockmaster wouldn’t take a reservation for our 5′ 2″ draft – he was adamant that the channel/mooring field only had 4′ 6″ of water. Your cruising guide states 5′ 6″ minimums. Have you had any other comments/updates on this issue? I had to continue on to Marathon because of weather/lack of anchorages.
Cheers,
Ty Giesemann
The cruiser who asked about Pennecamp: here is link to a 2010 story about it. They found 6 foot depths.
http://cruisersnet.net/john-c-pennekamp-coral-reef-state-park-marina-off-hawk-channel-near-key-largo/
Jane Tigar
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For Largo Sound
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of
Marina Del Mar Resort and Marina lies along the south side of the Port Largo canal, just to the west of Key Largo Harbour Marina.
On Monday, July 12th, we headed southwest between the reef and the island chain on Hawks Channel. One of our favorite marinas is Marina Del Mar in Key Largo. It is pricey at $3.00 a foot. However, we like the resort feel and opted to pay the price. We were going to continue on to Duck Key and Hawks Cay Resort, but after doing the turtle speed this far, we decided to just stay put and spend 3 nights at this marina. The dockmaster, Candi, is a knowledgeable and helpful host. If you do not want to pay resort prices, you can always anchor to the south on the lee of Rodriquez Key.
As you enter Port Largo Canal follow the red channel markers. It is very shallow (hitting 3-feet at low tide). Make sure to do a security call on channel-16 as you enter the canal and again as you approach the 45-degree turn known as crash corner. There are some large commercial vessels who call this canal home. So the security call is a must for safe passage. The three hotels at the end of the canal (Marina Del Mar, Holiday Inn, and Ramada) are owned by the same group, so marina guests can use facilities at any of the hotels. We like the pool and Jacuzzi at Marina Del Mar (just steps from our slip). The restroom and laundry facilities are clean and well maintained. As a marina guest, you can partake of the resort’s complimentary continental breakfast.
There are lots of dive shops to service your needs both on the canal and just steps away on US-1. A Dollar Store and a Service Station are just outside of the marina for small grocery purchases. A real grocery store is further away and would require a cab on a bicycle. Key Largo is the closest of the Keys to the mainland and has numerous mobile mechanical services available.
There was a small but gregarious live aboard community at this marina. They said we could have bargained for a lower slip rate. I find it hard to believe. Unlike Pier 66 there were very few open slips. Just a few steps down the dock is Ocean Divers. They run two dive boats from there. They have a full-service dive shop. They have the least expensive fuel we saw anywhere. Right next to Ocean Divers is a local hangout called Sharkeys. Their happy hour is great fun. Coconuts is a fun bar and restaurant with good food right next to the Marina pool.
Jeff and Michele Prahm
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For Marina Del Mar
I don’t think any channel in the Florida Keys has occasioned more comment here on the Cruisers’ Net than Angelfish Creek. For those who don’t already know, this creek provides a means to cruise from the Inside/Florida Bay Route (from Card Sound), to Hawk Channel and the briny blue. There has always been some question about depths along this route, and we have received many reports here on the Net about an underwater “rock,” near the point where the marked passage meets up with the deeper waters abutting Hawk Channel.
I have personally sounded the Angelfish Creek on many occasions, and never seen less than 5 1/2 to 6 feet, and I’ve never found the infamous underwater rock. Other veteran Captains insist the rock is indeed out here. I guess yours truly and Captain Dunn (see below) were just lucky enough to avoid this obstruction.
Even though we have had a recent question and answer string concerning Angelfish Creek here on the Net, I thought Captain Dunn’s report below was detailed and helpful enough to warrant a fresh posting. So, voila!
Subject: Angelfish Creek Passage on Jan 12, 2010 and Anchorage Resort and Yacht Club, Jewfish Creek, Key Largo
Cruising News: This is our first trip to the Keys in our 5.5′ draft sailboat. We came down the ICW from Miami to the very nice Anchorage Resort and Yacht Club on Jewfish Ck, Key Largo. I had read and asked for a week and worried about the passage out to Hawks Channel through Angelfish Creek. The dock master at Gilbert\’s Marina where we filled the diesel tank the morning of departure said “wind has been out of the north for several days and the water will be blown out of the creek and under no circumstances to try the passage”. Totally confused at that point, I called the Tow Boat US Key Largo operator on the VHF and asked his opinion. He told me that I should have no problem, especially if I went out on mid to high tide. We anchored for the night on the lee of Pumpkin Key, great anchorage, and left the next morning on the late incoming tide.
All I had been told was to stay in the middle of the channel, especially at the west and east ends of the Creek. The mention of the infamous rock just before the deeper water of Hawks Channel loomed in my mind. All went very well. I never marked a true depth of less than 8.5′ and never
felt the “rock”.
I hope this helps others. I did follow the channel carefully, stayed in the middle at all times, and went out on a late to high tide.
Captain Paul Dunn
Serendipidty
Subject: Angelfish Creek, Florida Keys
Inside to outside from Hawk’s Channel – Can a 5.5 ft draft make this
Paul Dunn
Currently at anchor in Miami Beach
Did you mean from ICW to Hawk’s channel or from Hawk’s channel to Atlantic ocean (through reef)?
Bill
Yes, from ICW through Angelfish Ck to Hawks Channel. We are currently at the Anchorage Marina on Jewfish Ck. We plan to go back out through Angelfish Ck to Hawks channel this Wed. The guide books mention a rock ledge that is 5 ft near the entrance to Hawks Channel. Do you know about that?
Thanks,
Paul
No problem at mid to high tide. We’ve been at Ocean Reef for over 25 years and Angelfish is negotiated with no trouble by boats of your draft. Most shallow at west and east ends, but still good water at normal mid to high tides.
Bill Borten
We have been thru that passage a number of times, both ways, and although we draw about 3 1/2 our props are exposed and we watch the depth closely. I have never seen a depth of less than 6-7 feet. certainly recommend mid tide plus but do not think would be a problem at normal low tide.
Howard Cole
"Ladys Island Swing Bridge Opening for Sailboat (Beaufort, SC)"
by: Bob Schwerzel
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Reported Position of the Above Described Sunken Wreck off Hawk Channel