The discussion below was copied from the AGLCA mailing list. Sounds like a good place to take your pet ashore, albeit on a leash for sure!

Has anyone with a dog anchored in Miami around the Venetian Causeway islands?  Skipper Bob shows a doggy icon but we can't figure out where or how far away the dog suitable dinghy landing(s) are.  Any help would be appreciated.
Also has anyone run into dog-walking restrictions in the Ft. Lauderdale beach area?
Thanks,
Bill, Jane and Daisy Stone
aboard M/V Loose Stones

We anchored between Star and Palm Islands — funny feeling of being in the back yards of celebrities (about N 25 46.6 W 80 08.6).  We dinghied to Collins Canal, as described in Skipper Bob's book (about a mile from the anchorage at N 25 47.48 W 80 08.69).  About 1/3 mile into the canal is a Publix on the north side of Dade Blvd.  You can pull the dinghy to the north bank of the canal and get off (N 25 47.628 W 80 08.413).  There is a grassy area Daisy could use.  Lots of traffic, but safe with a leash.  Very fun trip on the canal to Indian Creek and "the strip" of Miami Beach.  We also bought gas for the dinghy by walking 150 feet from the dinghy to a filling station on 23rd Street (tied to bank west of bridge, climbed up bank — memory says there were a couple grassy spots there as well — N 25
47.945 W 80 07.810).
Most of the shoreline in the area is very private, so pickings are slim.  Active Captain maps several boat ramps in the area, but we didn't try to find any of them.
I should probably mention we did not have a dog on board, so are not expert.
The anchorage is worth trying.  Quite unusual.
Bill

When we went from Miami to Aventura, there were dozens of pretty little islands just off the ICW that were mostly parks.  Small boats were frequently there and it you could dinghy to those islands if you
were anchored near them.  We didn't because we were just passing through.  We stayed in Aventura and there are no dog walking restrictions, but you can't really get to the beach easily there because it's all private access.  Then we went up to DelRay Beach, which is a very nice little city with a great beach.  Nodogs on the beach but no restrictions on walking them in town.
Doug & Kathy

I'm not familiar with the anchorage Captain Randy outlines below. Can anyone else shed some more light on this overnight haven? If so, please click the "Contribute Cruising News" link found near the top center of this, and most Net pages.

Just before you get to Miami you will find a nice anchorage on the ICW, almost opposite Bakers Haulover Inlet.  Double-check your charts but I'm pretty sure that as you pass MM1080 turn right between 6A & 6B and you will enter a beautiful anchorage carrying between 8 & 16 ft. of water.  On the west side of the anchorage is a quiet campus of Florida International University (I think)
and the other side is a pleasant, wooded park…I think it is Oleta State Park.  There is a great view of the ICW within viewing distance of Miami Beach.  It is a great place to set out for Key Biscayne or Virginia Key.  The last time we were there we left early in the morning, transited through Miami and were tied up at Boca Chita Key in time for lunch.
Regards,
Randy Pickelmann
MORNING STAR

Here's a bit of additional info on this anchorage from Captain Pascal:

Subject: Anchorage North Miami/haulover
Message: I see your comment about the anchorage mentioned by Randy P.   It's a popular small boat/week end anchorage behind Beer Can Island. there is always a lot of shoaling in the ICW behind Haulover Inlet so beware of the depth and feel your way in,   Never tried it…
Pascal

Subject: Oleta State Park
Message: I hate to recommend our favorite anchorage in Florida for fear that it will become overcrowded!  South of the Sunny Isles bridge opposite Baker's Haulover Inlet in North Miami is a quiet, well protected anchorage between a state park and Florida International University.  Leave marker 6A to port and head west past a fishing dock and a public beach.  The anchorage is around the point to the north or anywhere in the bay.  People dinghy into a small beach on the eastern shore of the north anchorage (landing is prohibited at the college)and walk over to the beach or a couple of miles north to shopping.  Other shopping is available by dinghy by heading up New Arch Creek to the south.  There are outdoor cold showers and restrooms near the beach.
Allen Ames