Below Captain Hardin describes an anchor down spot I’ve never tried before. And, to the best of my recollection, we’ve never had a posting here on the Cruisers’ Net about dropping the hook on these waters. Has anyone else anchored here???????
I guess the blind pig finds a acorn every once in a while. Went into manatee pocket at St Lucie, wind was blowing out of the south today at 15+. The holding was not great, Ii think that “skippy” gives it a 3. Stayed for a couple of hours and watched the anchor alarm, chartplotter did not show movement but the MKI eyeball said otherwise, pulled anchor with the intention of going to Jensen Beach at (SB) MM 981.8 as the holding was a 4. North on the ICW I turned E just past G233, north of the shoal and then back south to the island. anchored less than 100yds from the island in 7.5+ at low tide. The island blocks the south wind and the shoal 6″ protects from the wakes. Winds in the lee are less than 5. Seems like a great stop, Roxann would love to get off onto the island. Beaches are pure white sand. I think this is a very good stop with south winds and the dog can go ashore. N2711.04/W08010.92. Charles Hardin
We had all our upholstery done for our boat at Covergirls Upholstery. Wewere very pleased. They may be able to help you out. 279 Southeast Monterey Road, Stuart, FL (772) 286-5776 Kris
We were coming north and called in from the Palm Bay area to get a slip for the night and gave them all of the information about the boat and an eta of 6:40 P.M. twenty minutes after sundown. We were told they would be closed and there would be nobody there after hours. We asked if we could pull in and tie up to an empty slip and pay them in the morning. we were [told] that we could not do that and not to enter the marina after hours and to go someplace else. They advertise their marina to boaters and then turn them down when they need their services the most (it was turning dark with small craft warnings from the Coast Guard). John Adams
If you’ve been following our fellow cruisers’ postings here on the Cruisers’ Net concerning the waters in and just south of Miami, you already know the city of Miami opened a new, large mooring field just off Dinner Key Marina, a few months ago. While we have had one negative comment here on the Net concerning this facility, all the rest, like Captain account below, have been overwhelmingly positive.
March 2010. I stayed at the new Dinner Key Mooring Facility from 3/1/10 to 3/6/10 and it was one of the greatest experiences on the water that I have had. The mooring field is located just east of the main Dinner Key Marina. I was greeted by a shuttle boat that took me to shore to square away my paperwork (only $19/day). They have showers and a pumpout boat. It was a great deal. A friend asked why did I not just free anchor and sneak onto their facility to use their bathrooms. I answered him that I am not a thief nor do I want to be associated with thieves. Plus, Dinner Key Marina is really serious about their security. I witnessed the Miami Police arrest a tresspasser who thought he was entitled to free everything just because he was sailing. Listen, I believe you you should be able to drop anchor in the middle of nowhere, but Miami is a major city and I don’t expect to have access to upland facilities without paying something. It turns out that it’s cheaper to stay overnight at Dinner Key Mooring Facility, with all it has to offer, than to park your car in Coconut Grove over night. I almost forgot, the $19/day also includes parking. I LOVE the new Dinner Key Mooring Field!! Joe
There have already been many postings praising Sunset Bay Marina here on the Cruisers’ Net. For those who don’t know, this facility is the new incarnation of the Stuart City Marina, once known as Southpointe Anchorage. The new version has plentiful slip dockage, plus an extensive mooring field. What makes Captain Dave’s note below so valuable, is his advice about the nearby Roosevelt Bridges, which lie between Sunset Bay and the AICW. These old spans were supposed to be removed with the adjacent high-rise span opened, but that’s never happened!
Ditto to all the good comments. We agree and will be there for the next three months. Note of interest: I suggest calling the Roosevelt Bridge for an opening before going under the new 65′ bridge. The bridge tender is very accommodating and will let you know when she is about to open so you can proceed safely. Be prepared to stop and possibly turn around as the railroad bridge closed without warning just after we started to go under the new bridge. On weekends with many boaters and a strong tide racing thru there, it can get interesting. Capt Dave
When I received the laudatory note below from Captain Arnold, I queried him about the reports we had received here on the Cruisers’ Net a couple of months ago, that the docks at Green Cove Springs Marina had been “condemned.” I know from my own visits to this facility, that their physical plant has never been what I would describe as “Bristol.” Be sure to read Arnold’s reply in the second note below.
The lowest cost marina for haul out and DIY yard I have found on the entire ICW is Green Cove Springs Marina some 20 miles south of Jacksonville, FL. So much so that they are currently expanding the yard to accommodate 100 more vessels. 25 ton capacity travel lift – and they also step masts and arrange special repairs. This is a great marina of the old style. Lots of large bluewater sailboats here – mainly from north USA but also from Canada, Australia, Germany, Denmark, UK, Brazil. The owner types who sail the oceans as if going for a Sunday drive. Very international and friendly people. Even in the cold weather they’re playing bridge and chess on the heated patio. One sailor brought a huge case of fresh picked grapefruit – and another (limit one per person) a big box of yogourt. Not only every possible repair and renovation going on but also a bevy of salty sea stories. They have restrooms, laundry, and a ships store selling stuff at 10% over wholesale cost. Shops and stores are about a mile away – but always many people pleased to give you a ride. I highly recommend this marina. Check them out at http://gcsm.net/ Captain Arnold MV Pisces
Good morning Claiborne. My understanding is that the dock issue is more of an insurance battle to raise premiums. It is also because the dock itself is the property of Reynolds Alluminum and getting them to do anything is both difficult and time consuming. There are many much larger ships at the other 11 docks and really the docks are very durable. Politics may also be involved. Certainly all boats once tied to the docks have had to leave – but many still store and /or liveaboard either on the hard or on the many mooring balls in 9ft of fresh water. The emphasis of the marina these days is as an excellent vey friendly DIY yard and at prices well below any other marina I have found on the ICW. They have just finished an extra area for another 100 or so boats – with electrical supply and water supply. I would guess there are some 300 boats currenly here on the hard and another 50 at slips (but full). It’s another Indiantown though they don’t sell fuel. Captain Arnold MV Pisces
Any of you who have ever taken a gander at my “Cruising Guide to Eastern Florida” knows already about the HIGH docks at Florida Petroleum Company in Fernandina Beach. Yes, indeed, this fracility often has good diesel fuel prices, and many cruisers fill up here time after time, but the docking accomodations are far from ideal for cruising size craft.
Subject: FLA Petroleum Cruising News: We stopped here last week when the wind was blowing pretty hard from the west. The fuel dock is a commercial dock for larger boats and was about 8 feet above my lower deck. We docked ok but got lucky with that wind shoving us toward the dock. Leaving was another matter. Difficult to get away without scratching or marring something. Not the best place to go in a west wind. Capt Dave
St. Augustine City Marina does sit near the near to the town’s wonderful historic district, but please remember that two other nearby facilities, Cammachee Cove Yacht Harbor and Conch House Marina Resort are SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS!
St Augustine City Marina is great. Good docking help, immaculate restrooms, near many great restaurants. Capt Dave
Beach Marina guards the AICW’s eastern banks, just north of the new fixed, high-rise BB McCormick Bridge in Jacksonville Beach.
Stayed here last night, 2/25/10. Easy access, limited bath/head facilities but adequate, two restaurants short walk away. CAUTION: We departed when an outgoing tide was running with a 3 ‘“ 4 knot northerly flow. It caught me off guard and some difficulty turning south. Had it been flowing the other direction it could have created a hazard of being swept into pilings and bridge construction equipment. Capt Dave
We love anchoring near the northern end of Lake Worth. Follow the link below to the Cruisers’ Net’s “Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory” for this anchor down spot, open the “Comments” from fellow cruisers, and learn about plentiful nearby dining and shopping possibilities.
North Lake Worth anchorage SM 1014.2 Very quiet and well-protected. We entered by turning east just south of G27 per Skipper Bob and following the channel around behind the condos. there were quite a few boats there, mostly sailboats, but we found plenty of swinging room in the northeast corner. Holding was excellent, but winds were light. Anchor came up clean. Bill Root
Recently, the village North Palm Beach deleted all local code relating to regulating anchoring in local waters, in order to comply with Florida anchoring statutes. This means one could anchor in the large basin on the western side of the North Palm Beach Waterway, just south of where the ICW swings from south to east, between the PGA Bridge and Parker (Route#1) bridge. Simply do not turn east as the ICW does, but continue south into the NPB Waterway, keeping the golf course on your port side. The basin is about one tenth of a mile in. No shoreside facilities or landing facilities exist here so be respectful of the private property that surrounds this beautiful, quiet and safe anchorage. In addition North Palm Beach will no longer be charging for, or requiring, an anchoring permit in any village waters, including Lake Worth. kendonnawright@att.net Capt. Ken Wright
Want a real good meal in Coconut Grove? Try `The Ivy’ in the Grove. Tell them Bob said, `Give us the local price’. Sunday to Thursday should get you 50% off on your meals. The food is great, desert even better. Also. Happy Hour 4-7 weekdays. Bob Gray, Sevierville, TN
How wonderful to receive such a glowing report on Titusville City Marina, with this facility being the NEWEST SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR. Not only can you follow the link below in Captain message to receive a GREAT deal on dockage, but the same result can be achieved by clicking this facility’s new sponsorship panel contained in this posting. See you there!!!
We recently spent a couple of nights at Titusville City Marina’¦weathered a strong front there, and we were in slip B-82’¦we did experience a little roll’¦but it was not bothersome’¦ We found the facility well maintained and well run’¦very helpful staff. Don’t tell anyone I said this’¦but if you go to this link’¦ you will find a good deal on their marina’¦. http://www.titusville.com/files/fdc1up.pdf Basically’¦.its a deal they have going until June 30, 2010’¦ if you stay 3 nights (consecutively) and you mention the deal’¦.you only pay for 2 of the nights and the 3rd is free!! We were very pleased with our stay there, and their new docks are built very well. Rob Homan
What a wonderful report from our fearless roving reporter, Captain Jane Tigar. So many cruisers spend time in the Coconut Grove – Dinner Key region of South Miami every year, whether tied to the dock at Dinner Key Marina or on a mooring at Coconut Grove Sailing Club (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR) or the new Dinnery Key mooring field. Captain Jane informs one and all about two historic sites within walking distance of the docks that “should not be missed.” Give her story a read, and then let us know
Sometimes, it’s so tempting to stay in our cocoon like boats — after all, once you are on board, why would you want to get off a boat except for laundry, land heads and supermarkets — and West Marine? The parade of winter storms of ’09-’10 taught us how important it is to remember to get off our boats and explore the communities we visit and as much as I cherish the lonely anchorages where it’s just us, the wind, the water, the birds and the under water life, I admit that civilization has its charms. Dinner Key is one of those places that has some serious charm. Here are two places where we found charm and connection to the essential spirit of Coconut Grove, both within walking distance of the Dinner Key City Marina.
Close-up of part of the restored ceiling art and murals in the historic Dinner Key City Hall. Photo by Jane B Tigar
City Hall is well worth a visit and it’s literally next door. If you’re here on a week day, worth a visit is City Hall, adjacent to the marina (to the right facing the land). It’s so close you can probably see it from your slip or your mooring ball. Since 1954, City Hall has been right here in the former Pan American seaplane terminal. Pan American World Airways’ flying boats were based here in the 1930s and ‘˜40s and Dinner Key became a main hub for air traffic between North and South America until seaplanes went out of style. At that point, Pan Am moved its hub to Miami. The terminal has been carefully restored and you can now see wonderful art deco murals commemorating aviation history along with Zodiac symbols on the ceiling that had been painted over in the ’50s. There is also a small display of fascinating photographs from the seaplane era, including one of Charles Lindbergh. For more information about this historic site, check out the City of Miami website: http://www.ci.miami.fl.us
Barnacle House - Steve Dimse, Florida Park Services Specialist, giving us an engaging two-person "I can't believe you came out in this cold weather" tour
Step through a Time Portal at Barnacle Historic State Park. The Barnacle Historic State Park is reason alone to visit Dinner Key and do so on a weekend or Monday. A 20-minute walk (just under a mile) from the marina, up Main Avenue on the left hand side, you will see a little off-set treed area with a historic marker and a path. Follow that path — in a moment you will forget the bustling commerce and you will enter a real `hammock’ of indigenous Florida vegetation and towering ancient live oaks. You are now in the late 1890s when Miami was undeveloped and natural. Here you can explore the five acre park that was once the homestead of a real character of a guy from Staten Island who `discovered’ Biscayne Bay. Ralph Middleton Munroe, a relative of the poet Longfellow, and a follower of the transcendentalist movement, settled in Biscayne Bay, first in a tent camp, and then in a house that, thanks to the generous donation by his heirs, is now the centerpiece of this Florida state park. Ralph Middleton Munroe built the Barnacle House in 1891 and it is furnished with some of his original furnishings plus antiques and other items donated by his family. He was a yacht designer, naturalist, seaman, and civic activist whom the US Parks Service describes as `one of Coconut Grove’s most charming and influential pioneers.’ Note, the park is closed Tuesday through Thursday. It is open Friday through Monday from 9-5. Tours are at 10 and 11:30 AM, and again at 1 and 2:30. Check with the Park about special events. Wednesday nights at 6 PM there is a yoga class. If you are visiting the weekend of January 15, the park is hosting Shakespeare in the Park with a production of Taming of the Shrew. Sunday, January 24, 2010, there is an Old Time Dance with live music and someone teaching traditional American folk dance steps. There seems to be one or two events a month. For more information: http://www.TheBarnacle.org If you do visit Barnacle House, and we hope you do, please post a comment here and let us know if you, too, felt the multi-faceted genius Ralph Middleton Munroe come alive. That visit alone gave us a feeling of deep connection to Coconut Grove. As you walk around town, you may see historical markers referencing his contributions to other parts of life in Coconut Grove. In fact, I’m transmitting this story to the Salty Southeast while using the free wifi in the public library, a charming historic site itself, surrounded by palm trees and garden and only a short walk across the street from the Dinner Key Marina. It’s on land donated by Ralph Middleton Munroe who started the first library in the area, acquiring and delivering books by boat. It is also the site where Munroe’s first wife is buried. Just next door to the library, is another historic site, the women’s club built in the 1890s, also on land donated by Mr. Munroe. Jane Tigar S/V Lady Jane
Hi Jane Thanks for a great post. I’ve just returned from a 10 day stay aboard our boat `Cloud Nine’ at Dinner Key Marina. You’re right. We can see the Miami City Hall from our slip and I never set foot inside the building. I will be sure to visit on my next trip for sure. My husband, Tom is currently in Dinner key and I will pass this site on to him. We loved the Coconut Grove Arts Festival over President’s day weekend.Much to see and do in this charming town Keep up the good work. Pam Frech Cloud Nine
Great post ,good to see the old Monroe house has been preserved. I had a friend that I worked with at Bertram Yacht yard in the mid 60’s that was the care taker of the house when the Monroe where out of town. My wife would Join them on weekends at the house which was a great treat. The gardens and front lawn down to the water were magnificent in the evening. S/V Seamist Dave Skiff
This facility, which is the first you will encounter upon entering Ortega River from the St. Johns, has received many positive comments here on the Cruisers’ Net.
Hi all, Not much I can add to what has been written above. Just want to add my own personal recomendation. This is really a first class marina with conveniences not found very often. I have been here a few months waiting to move on to the islands and the marina and staff have made my stay a pleasure. They recently hosted a Super Bowl Party that was superbly handled. This place is a gem and well worth stopping to visit. Jim Burke, Blondie
Subject: Ortega Landing Marina, Jacksonville Cruising News: We would like to report on a most excellent and positive experience that we recently had at Ortega Landing Marina. This is a first class facility run by first class people. Joann, Bob, Amy, and Kris are the team behind this marina’s success. Everyone went out of their way to support us during our 11 day stay when we also enjoyed MTOA’s 20% discount. OLM, located on the Ortega River, is a quarter mile walk to West Marine, Publix, restaurants, and numerous other retail stores. It’s also a bike ride away from downtown and Jacksonville Landing. Marina resident, Ralph, of Yacht Services, gave us the attention we needed to resolve a nagging refrigeration/electrical problem. Each of these wonderful folks made our stay a memorable one and we highly recommend this facility to anyone visiting the Jacksonville area. Bill and Laura Bender M/V Kindred Spirit III
While I am in favor anchoring, from time to time moorings have great advantage. And in the case of the Dinner Key area this couldn’t be truer. For years I have passed though this area, but tended to anchor away from the crowds which I might ad looked mainly unseaworth and derlict. I did this because I have experienced many times vessels draging anchor. The dinner key area has really cleaned up for the better. My experience at the dinner key mooring field was terrific. The staff was professional and the facilites were clean. I hope that the moorings continue in the future as I hope to return. Captain Thomas Ryne S/V Sea Dog
I stayed at the Dinner Key Mooring Facility all of January 2010 and it was one of the greatest experiences I had in my 25 years of sailing. They have a great staff, shuttle service and a pumpout boat. The view of downtown Miami is increadable!! My vessel is 40 feet LOA. Why didn’t the 47ft Soulmates stay in the big marina ‘“ funny, they have an expensive boat but I guess their too cheep for their britches. Capt. Bob
Coca Village Marina is a facility that receives consistent praise here on the Cruisers’ Net. Anyone who happens to stay here, please mention to the management that you saw good things about their facility on the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net!
This is a great marina with Cocoa Village across the street. There is no problem renting a slip in either the protected west basin, or the more exposed east basin. We found everything top shelf. The facility is under new management but very little has changed, I even heard of more improvements down the road, like slip side pump out. When that happens, this will be a 4 star marina. Don’t miss this one. SG Wilcox
As usual, Captain Jane, our fearless roving reporter, has done a wonderful job! This time, she lays bare all the mysteries surrounding Fort Lauderdale’s “Sun Trolley.” This city service can be a real boon for crusiers, particulary if you are docked at the Las Olas city marina. However, to take advantage of this service, you will need the keys to the kingdom described so ably below!
Sun Trolley approaching the Hall of Fame Marina stop
Now we know why all the information we got from marinas, hotels and the Internet was conflicting about the still wonderful but sadly diminished Sun Trolley system in Fort Lauderdale. Even the guy at the Fort Lauderdale Welcome wagon, in his trolley-like hut, didn’t have it exactly right. So here is the scoop direct from the mouths of two trolley drivers, one of whom tore down the out of date sign as we began asking about the daily schedule and free Fridays it heralded. Yes, the Sun Trolley exists and we rode the one you see to the right to a huge shopping center with just about anything you could need for provisioning, starting with a huge Publix supermarket. The trolley seems to run every half hour. The return trolley stop at the shopping center is at Publix.
Myth: The Sun Trolley is free on Friday. Fact: Every ride costs 50 cents; you can pay for two with a paper dollar and conserve those laundry machine quarters. There are no free days any more.
Myth: The Sun Trolley runs every day. Fact: The Sun Trolley runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. 10 AM to 10 PM for the 17th street bridge route that goes from near the Las Olas Marina across the 17th Street Bridge to the shopping center with the Publix. Fridays, the Las Olas route to downtown theaters, restaurants, the art museum: 6 PM to midnight. Saturday and Sunday the Las Olas route is 10 AM to midnight.
Myth: you can hail the trolley anywhere by waving. Fact: The driver said if she happens to see you and you wave, she will stop. However, she promises to stop if you wave and are at a bus stop. The bus stops are along A1A and Seabreeze Boulevard. For example, there is a stop at the Hall of Fame Marina, right in front of the Aquatic Center.
Fact without a Myth: This is a fantastic public service. Please take advantage of it — it’s a use it or lose it kind of amenity and we saw signs for public meetings in February and March to discuss how to keep the Sun Trolley viable. Jane Tigar S/V Lady Jane
Fact: The Sun Trolley IS free on Friday. We rode to Publix on a Friday and the driver told us every Friday is free. Doug
Sun Trolley is 50 cents on both the A1A and Las Olas routes every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Passengers are a mix of residents and visitors to Fort Lauderdale Beach. The agency plans to expand the A1A route from Harbor Shops to the Galleria Mall on Sunrise Blvd. by October 1, 2010. Sun Trolley is the community bus service for the City of Fort Lauderdale and is managed by the Downtown Fort Lauderdale TMA, a nonprofit agency incorporated in 1992. Patricia, submitted 9/9/2010
We are all very excited that our dear friend, Captain Jane Tigar has agreed to become a “roving reporter” for the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net. Captain Jane has been contributing stories and cruising news to the Net for many years. Now, her articles will be a bit lengthier, and allow one and all to take a more in-depth look at the ports of call and anchorages on which she chooses to report. Everyone please join with me in welcoming Captain Jane aboard! Below, Jane takes a good, long look at the delightful port of call known as Vero Beach, and its city marina plus mooring field. Good choice, Jane, as Vero Beach Municipal Marina is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
If there’s one marina that rivals a good anchorage, it’s Vero Beach Municipal Marina. Whether in a slip or on a mooring ball, it’s a bucolic setting that could make you rethink any associations you have with the word `municipal.’ This is not some impersonal marina where you feel like you are in a boat parking lot and your sight-seeing is limited to the marina office and land heads. Think summer camp, a charming foliage rich cove, great sunsets and bright stars at night combined with easy access to culture, entertainment and provisioning. Vero Beach Municipal Marina is possibly the most convenient marina we’ve ever visited. The ocean, restaurants and shops are only a 15 minute walk away. `Serious’ shopping centers are a short and free shuttle bus ride away with a choice of mid to high range supermarkets, post office, UPS store, and, the all important West Marine Express. There are two shuttle stops at the the marina — one at the dinghy dock and one near the land heads and showers and marina office. It does not get more convenient than this. It’s one of our `stay a week’ places, not just for the free shuttle buses to and around town but because of the year round summer camp like atmospher. Cruisers do and seem to expect to talk to each other, make friends, swap cruising tips and stories. Maybe it’s because we all queue up for the bus together or because there’s a picnic table, lounge, book swap, plentiful laundry machines — and this physical layout encourages community. Even the mail pick-up feels like camp, with one of the dock hands sorting the mail and putting it in alphabetized cubbies. The way cruisers come for the mail, you’d think they were expecting a care package from Mom and Dad. Maybe they are…. This time a series of cold snaps and small craft advisories, kept us here a little longer than planned and, as often happens, when we stay longer than we initially intend, we discover something special. This year’s discovery is the Vero Beach Museum of Art, a 15 minute walk from the Marina, just across the main road. There is a spectacular exhibit of ceramic masterpieces running right now called Innovation and Change: Great Ceramics from the Ceramics Research Center of Arizona State University Art Museum Collection. This is one masterpiece after another, some fanciful and all amazing to see — even if you think you aren’t interested in ceramics. While this exhibit closes January 10, several more are opening in its wake. For cruisers returning Northbound, these two exhibits, among others, will be waiting for you well into May. We can vouch for Food for Thought, a series of huge outdoor bronze sculptures that are plays on words and ideas in the form of giant food-related sculptures by Luis Montoya and Leslie Ortiz. It is great fun to see and walk through the sculpture garden of these surreal and humorous structures with the ocean as a far away backdrop. It runs through May 16, 2010. A maritime-themed exhibit awaits late snow-birds and returning snowbirds. Ships and shorelines, William Bradford and Nineteenth-Century American Marine Painting, opens January 30 and runs through May 10, 2010. This, to us, is reason alone to get off your boat in Vero Beach. But, there is more. Among the `camp’ activities back at the marina, there’s the Saturday afternoon get together at the picnic table, starting at 4. Musicians welcome and bring a snack to share. Wedesday mornings, you can take the first shuttle bus at 8 and join the cruisers breakfast at the 2002 diner. Get out at the Publix stop; it’s only about five minutes ride from the marina. There you will meet not only active cruisers but local members of CLOD, Cruisers Living on Dirt. It’s an affable group and if you’re lucky, you may get a fanciful bird ornament from Rose — she makes them out of colorful retired computer tape. I proudly wear mine. Vero Beach is also a good opportunity for those who need and want a break from eating aboard. We had a good `deli fix’ at Two Jays Deli; while it’s not New York City or Kruppens in DC, they do a good job and their sliced meats and nova are far better than the supermarket equivalents; you can get white fish, bagels that are water boiled and there are even take-out knishes. We also had a great lunch at the Siam Orchid restaurant, easily reached by the shuttle, tell the driver you want to get off at the West Marine. Their Thai green curry and red curry lunch specials are excellent and authentic, and at $6.50 with soup of the day, a bargain. They also have first rate sushi offerings at reasonable prices. Bangkok in Downtown is another good Thai restaurant; get off at Pocahontas transfer station on the shuttle bus. This area is fun to walk around, nice shops, including Tea and Chi which is a few doors away from the Cultural Council of Indian River County’s office where you can get the Culture Vulture booklet that highlights cultural events in town. This is a stop we look forward to each cruise South and 2010 did not disappoint. Jane Tigar S/V Lady Jane
View of the marina office, fuel dock and part of the mooring field.
A sculpture in the Food for Thought exhibit of giant bronze sculptures by Luis Montoya and Leslie Ortiz at the Vero Beach Museum of Art through January 10, 2010. This sculpture is entitled “WMD”.
Sunset at Vero Beach Municipal Marina
View of the mooring field.
Good summary of Vero Beach Municipal Marina. We stopped there briefly this past April and found it as enjoyable as you noted. Gerry
I was at the Municipal Marina some years ago on my way to the Bahamas and back. I loved it, probably the best all round marina I’ve ever been in. I really liked the ice cream shop by the beach. I hope to be there this next winter. Jim Owens
If you stop at the WestMarine on Miracle Mile, stop in Kelly’s Irish pub/bar for an excellent Rueben. Say hi to Ducky. Also, for the best pizza, go to South Beach Pizzaria. It’s a block off the Causeway (17th St). They’ll deliver to the Marina. Enjoy Vero. It can be easy to stay longer than you think. Stoping there for a `couple of days’ to do some minor fixes and stayed 3 weeks. I now call it Velcro Beach Joe Murphy
Vero is the best kept secret in Florida.My parents lived in the area for 25 years, and it was a thrill while `Looping’ to stay at this wonderful marina. There is a fun breakfast place right on north beach next to the boardwalk.Listen to the sea while eating an omlette!Also love `The Driftwood Inn’s large patio overlooking the ocean for lunch. Both places are walkable’¦a rare occurance in Florida.Try the Riverside theatre for some top notch entertainment.This, too is walking distance from the marina.It doesn’t get better than this! Pam Frech
Should mention that in peak cruising seasons you will probably raft up with a similar size boat on the mooring. Some people are put off by this but we have always enjoyed the opportunity to meet more cruisers and we have never (in over a dozen visits) experienced any difficulties with this setup Joe Powers/ sv Aquavit
I find it amusing that cruisers like Vero Beach (as do I) but criticize other cities for wanting to install mooring fields at the expense of anchorage areas. Where is the large anchorage area at Vero Beach? Or am I missing it? FSMike
I too have enjoyed Vero, and the Art Museum, and the very nice restaurant on the beach at the end of this same Main Street. It also gets my OK as a mooring field because it is one of the few that can handle our 60 foot boat. So many former anchorage areas in the NE. are filled with moorings, very few of which can accommodate us, making it a lose-lose situation. Beverly Feiges
Lake Santa Barbara is found along the western flank of the AICW between southern Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale.
Anchored here after a long day of bridges with 20 kts on the nose in the ICW. It was actually quite a pleasant anchorage. We anchored closer to the mouth of the `lake’ with plenty of water for our 5 ft. draft. Would stop here again. s/v MicMac
The entrance to Seven Seas Marina is located hard by the Port Orange Bridge.
We stayed at Seven Seas Marina on January 19, 2010. A very fine marina, with fixed wooden piers. only a seven minute walk to the ocean beach. The restrooms are fine, though not what you might find at a more expensive marina. There is a well stocked ship’s store. Pat’s Riverfront Cafe, onsite, is delightful. It is open for breakfast and lunch. Seven Seas Marina, at $.90 per foot is helping keep the cost of cruising down. I highly recommend it. Norman Mason
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