Skipper Hoff is responding to a reader’s earlier inquiry about ports to visit on the east coasts of Florida, the Keys and the Bahamas. There are great suggestions here.

Regarding other locations – we have only stayed at Marathon overnight so can’t really say much about it. We have spent more time at Islamorada, Key Largo and Biscayne Bay, almost always at anchor. We tend to like either remote (Biscayne Bay, Dry Tortugas, etc.) or interesting cities (Key West) – but that is our preference. Biscayne Bay is a place we like to hang out at anchor – swimming, kayaking, walking the beach, etc.

As you head north we time a stop at West Palm Beach for their Farmers’ Market – one of the best, if not the best, on the east coast and my wife has made me stop at all of them from Maine to Key West. They have a large free day dock we spend all day at then move a couple 100 feet off to anchor for the night – all the benefits of a marina with none of the cost. Let me know if you plan to stop there and I can give you further advice since the peak current can be strong.

Downtown Ft. Lauderdale (New River) is also an interesting spot – a world away from relaxing in the Keys but interesting to see 100+ foot yachts go by one after another. Good restaurants, interesting people watching, reasonable dockage, etc.. Easy spot to have people arrive and depart from since the airport is very close by.

If at all possible we try to run outside from Ft. Lauderdale to Lake Worth (just north of West Palm). Otherwise along the ICW there are bridges, bridges and more bridges – plus some crazy boaters. Combine these and it doesn’t make for the most enjoyable travel. However the benefit of inside along the ICW is looking at the huge houses with their 100+ ft yachts docked outside.

You will probably leave from Lake Worth to cross to the Bahamas. This is where the weather is most important – don’t even consider it with any form for NE wind the day you go or during the previous few days. A few years ago I helped a friend bring a brand new 69 ft Nordhavn back after their maiden voyage crossing in 25 kt NE winds. He said it tossed the 250,000 lb boat around like a cork plus stood it on end a few times – he said they were never sicker in their lives (very experienced boaters having taken a 55 ft Nordhavn all the way to Alaska and back around to New England). His wife wouldn’t do the return crossing so I helped him. Last time I crossed with my Fleming we waited five days for good weather and finally went in what we thought would be ok weather – ended up with 15+ footers out the Gulf Stream – not fun. On the other hand my return crossing on the Nordhavn was ~1 footers – all depends on the day.

We have only spent time at West End in the northern Bahamas so I can’t say anything about the Abacos. We have spent an entire winter in the southern Bahamas and enjoyed it.

Hope you find this helpful.

Regards,
Curtis

Have a heart! Let them live!

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Personal fireworks don’t mix with nesting shorebirds

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) asks the public to help protect beach-nesting shorebirds across the state this holiday weekend by giving them space and keeping personal fireworks off the beach.

Shorebirds are nesting on beaches along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida, with many still watching over flightless chicks during the busy Independence Day weekend. The snowy plover, least tern, black skimmer, American oystercatcher and Wilson’s plover are several of the state’s beach-nesting shorebird species that face conservation challenges and need people’s help to survive.

`Fireworks launched too close or toward a nesting colony can cause adult shorebirds to flush off their nests and chicks to scatter, leaving the chicks vulnerable to predators, the elements and the potential of getting accidentally stepped on by beach-goers,’ said Nancy Douglass, who works on shorebird conservation for the FWC. `Leaving personal fireworks at home and giving the birds space are ways that residents can still enjoy the beach while helping to keep shorebirds and their chicks safe.’

Ways to protect beach-nesting shorebirds this holiday weekend and beyond:

Leave personal fireworks, including sparklers, at home and attend an official fireworks display instead.
Keep your distance, whether on the beach or paddling watercraft along the shore. If birds become agitated or leave their nests, you are too close. A general rule is to stay at least 300 feet from a nest. Birds calling out loudly or divebombing are giving signals for you to back off.
Never intentionally force birds to fly or run. They use up energy they need for nesting, and eggs or chicks may be left vulnerable to the sun’s heat or predators. Teach children not to chase shorebirds and kindly ask fellow beach-goers to do the same.
Respect posted shorebird nesting areas. Avoid posted sites and use designated walkways when possible.
It is best not to take pets to the beach, but if you do, keep them on a leash and avoid shorebird nesting areas.
Keep the beach clean and do not feed wildlife. Food scraps attract predators such as raccoons and crows, which can prey on shorebird chicks. Litter on beaches can entangle birds and other wildlife.
Spread the word. If you see people disturbing nesting birds, gently let them know how their actions may hurt the birds’ chances for survival. If they continue to disturb nesting shorebirds, report their activities to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922), #FWC or *FWC on a cell phone, or by texting Tip@MyFWC.com.
For more ways to share the beach with nesting shorebirds, go to MyFWC.com/Shorebirds and download the `Share the Beach with Beach-Nesting Birds’ brochure. Additional information can also be found at the Florida Shorebird Alliance website: www.flshorebirdalliance.org.