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Comments from Cruisers (5) Add Comment

1. Patrick -  May 25, 2012 - 10:08 am

   Just take care that your anchor does not get stuck in the many custom made moorings around the island. I picked up an engine block once trying to haul anchor. Many derelict boats with questionable ground tackle all over.
   Be careful of the shoal in the middle that looks like a great empty anchor spot.
   However once you navigate all the above it is a great spot very close to KW and a much better location than the city mooring field. Never had issues with “piracy” in the many years I have gone there. Might be dumb luck though but I do lock up when I leave the boat.
   Patrick

   Reply to Patrick
2. Starfish -  May 23, 2012 - 10:08 am

   Just off of Christmas tree is the place to be. It’s convenient to the municipal docks & out of the way. There are areas where there is 8-10 inches of sand over limestone, and you will think you are dug in well but will drag like a mother in the first squall, so make certain you’re dug in.
   Also, an open hatch is considered an invitation. A closed hatch with a big lock will generally be left alone.
   Starfish

   Reply to Starfish
3. MM -  May 23, 2012 - 10:07 am

   Anchoring on the south side of wisteria (christmas tree) island will give you some shelter from the north but it’s rolly from wakes (especially in the early morn. when the charter boats go out). Holding is fair but use caution. It’s a short dink ride across the channel to the harbor where the dink dock is (payment enforcement haphazard… meaning you never know so just pay). note: going back across the channel in a northerly blow can be extremely rough and wet.
   Also remember that K.W. has been pirate country for centuries… and still is. Use common sense and you will have a great time.
   Cheers,
   MM

   Reply to MM
4. forsailbyowner -  May 23, 2012 - 10:07 am

   We are currently behind Wisteria Island. The whole area is surrounded with boats. North of the Island east and west. The cityKWB marina maintains dinghy dock for 26 a week or 80 a month. Just pick a spot with enough swing, lotta boats.
   forsailbyowner

   Reply to forsailbyowner
5. ron -  May 26, 2010 - 2:04 pm

   The last time we were here, the anchorage was an overcrowded assemblage of derelict boats-many of which were liveaboards who never left their mooring. It was too crowded to anchor safely and frankly, I wouldn’t anchor there under those conditions. It may have changed since the advent of the new mooring field and perhaps the derelict boats have gone.

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Comments from Cruisers (5) Add Comment

1. Odin McCloskey -  April 1, 2020 - 5:22 pm

   After the keys open back up planing a sail down and be on the hook for a few days here and new info on this anchorage would be helpful thank you ,Bye Bye Baby!

   Reply to Odin
2. Patrick -  May 25, 2012 - 10:08 am

   Just take care that your anchor does not get stuck in the many custom made moorings around the island. I picked up an engine block once trying to haul anchor. Many derelict boats with questionable ground tackle all over.
   Be careful of the shoal in the middle that looks like a great empty anchor spot.
   However once you navigate all the above it is a great spot very close to KW and a much better location than the city mooring field. Never had issues with “piracy” in the many years I have gone there. Might be dumb luck though but I do lock up when I leave the boat.
   Patrick

   Reply to Patrick
3. Starfish -  May 23, 2012 - 10:10 am

   Just off of Christmas tree is the place to be. It’s convenient to the municipal docks & out of the way. There are areas where there is 8-10 inches of sand over limestone, and you will think you are dug in well but will drag like a mother in the first squall, so make certain you’re dug in.
   Also, an open hatch is considered an invitation. A closed hatch with a big lock will generally be left alone.
   Starfish

   Reply to Starfish
4. MM -  May 23, 2012 - 10:10 am

   Anchoring on the south side of wisteria (christmas tree) island will give you some shelter from the north but it’s rolly from wakes (especially in the early morn. when the charter boats go out). Holding is fair but use caution. It’s a short dink ride across the channel to the harbor where the dink dock is (payment enforcement haphazard… meaning you never know so just pay). note: going back across the channel in a northerly blow can be extremely rough and wet.
   Also remember that K.W. has been pirate country for centuries… and still is. Use common sense and you will have a great time.
   Cheers,
   MM

   Reply to MM
5. forsailbyowner -  May 23, 2012 - 10:10 am

   We are currently behind Wisteria Island. The whole area is surrounded with boats. North of the Island east and west. The cityKWB marina maintains dinghy dock for 26 a week or 80 a month. Just pick a spot with enough swing, lotta boats.
   forsailbyowner

   Reply to forsailbyowner

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Comments from Cruisers (1) Add Comment

1. Claiborne -  August 14, 2009 - 10:19 am

   Subject: No Anchoring Flemming Key , Key West
   Cruising News: The Navy is not allowing anchoring within 400 yards of Fleming Key. This was one of the few spots to anchor at Key West.
   Ned Young
   SV Dreamweaver

   Reply to Claiborne

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Comments from Cruisers (11) Add Comment

1. Cap and Linda Munday -  April 18, 2015 - 9:31 am

   We spent two winters in Key West at Garrison Bight mooring field. Wonderful spot. One mile to Garrison Bight, 2 miles to Key West bight and Rat Key is in the anchorage for doggie walking. Grocery and other shopping within dingy distance. We loved evenings in Key West bight and dog walking from Garrison Bight docks through the lovely ‘Meadows’ neighborhood. Key West is fun on a daily basis. Be sure to use Key West Marine for all your boating needs, and if you have head problems, use the Head Honcho. The Cubanos at KW Marine will hook you up. Great Thai food at Garrison Bight and generally great fun and food are available in short range from the moorings.
   Cap and Lind Munday

   Reply to Cap
2. James T. Holtzinger -  October 16, 2014 - 3:26 pm

   An affordable alternative to a Marina in Key West or Stock Island are the mooring balls at Garrison Bight Marina in Key West. The overnight rate is in the neighborhood of $20, I’ve ball parked that because I always go for the monthly rate $323. and change. You need a dinghy for a 10 to 15 minute ride in to the dinghy docks. Included in the fee is a: bathhouse with laundry facilities, showers and restrooms, parking space for car and dinghy. There are bicycle racks, bikes not included in fact it is a dangerous place to leave a bike cabled and locked. Best to sleep next to bike I have had four stolen. It is a mile walk into town and the bus station and stop is two buildings to the north.
   James T. Holtzinger

   Reply to James
• Charly -  December 1, 2014 - 4:25 am

  Hi James,
  Are there any docks, balls or cheap marinas from Big Coppitt Key to the Boot Key Ball area? I am going to be working in a music duet in that area while also a novice captain of a 38′ Morgan w 3.6 draw. I would want to avoid that North wind chop and also rely on a bicycle due to knee problems. My more secure alternative now only seems to be the Boot Key Balling area. Any help or suggestions are appreciated.
  Charly Petra

  Reply to Charly
3. Bram Clement -  June 9, 2014 - 9:25 am

   The mooring field is a nice security versus anchoring.
   The second plus plus is the showers at the dinghy dock.
   But no security, gate does not lock at the dinghy dock. This is the second year that I witnessed this problem. Second there is no fuel.
   Bram Clement

   Reply to Bram
4. Peter Colket -  January 16, 2012 - 10:33 am

   I must take exception regarding the Key West mooring field. I spent one December there. The nearest protection to the north is the Florida Panhandle. There was a persistent two foot chop the entire month, sometimes more. The dinghy ride to the dock was fun if you like getting soaked. By the way, they didn’t tell us the moorings do not have pendants attached. We arrived after the office closed, and had to put crew overboard to attach a line to the mooring. There have been many reports of boats dragging the moorings there. Nancy came close to going home, and I was one day away from giving the boat away by the time we found another location.
   Garrison Bight Marina is a good alternative to the expensive marinas downtown. Best way to visit Key West is by car.
   Happy cruising,
   Peter Colket

   Reply to Peter
5. Nancy McCarley -  January 7, 2012 - 10:28 am

   We have also stayed in the Garrison Bight morning field for a month and really enjoyed the proximity to Key West. We will probably head back there in mid Feb.
   Nancy McCarley

   Reply to Nancy
6. S/V Arkeoo -  February 1, 2011 - 12:20 pm

   Very reasonable for Key West. Long dinghy ride to the dinghy docks, but the bathrooms and laundry facilities are fairly new and clean. You do not want to be here with any signifigant northerly winds, in particular, you will need to ride it out on your vessel and do not attempt to dingy ashore without full foul weather gear as it builds up a chop in a hurry.
   S/V Arkeoo

   Reply to S/V
7. Capt. Jim -  April 12, 2010 - 3:55 pm

   Subject: Min. depth Garrison Bight Mooring Buoys
   Cruising News: We have been here 2.5 years and the least water I have seen in the mooring field is 8′. This area was dredged for sea planes landing area for WW II. They have also completed their Shower and laundry facilities building located at the dinghy dock.
   Capt Jim

   This is Garrison Bight next to the dinghy docks on Palm Blvd. not the Key West Historical bight. I was there two days ago and they were tied off the dinghy dock in two rows from the dock. It is a zoo there now. They charge by the month or by the day there. If you had any other questions of the area, I would be glad to answer what I know or look into it. Keep up the good work on the Cruisersnet. We do appreciate it.
   Capt. Jim

   Reply to Capt.
8. Skooch -  March 13, 2010 - 9:52 am

   We have been tied to a mooring ball for 5 days at the Garrison Bight Field. Its been great. The fee is $16.59 per night and monthly breakeven is 17 nights. Fee includes showers, laundry facilities and dinghy dock parking at the Garrison Bight. A mile walk to Winn Dixie, mile to the Beach. We take the dingy around to the Key West Bight to see that side of island and the famous attrations.
   Protection is reasonable with the most exposure from the north, but we did just fine with N15-20.
   You need to put your own line on the mooring. This is difficult for our trawler with a high bow. Ususally someone sees a new boat coming in and goes out to help with a dinghy. We had a buddy boat when we arrived and used one of the dinks to get both.
   Skooch 42 Hatteras LRC

   Reply to Skooch
9. Unknown -  August 22, 2009 - 10:51 pm

   then switched to a mooring ball in the Key West mooring field, for $15 per day. What a difference! You can dinghy from the mooring field to the downtown dinghy docks easily, so if you don’t mind mooring instead of marinas, it’s fine. The only problem is if you get a NW wind, which will make the mooring field roll a lot.

   Reply to Unknown
10. Bob & Toni Dorman -  August 17, 2009 - 10:08 am

    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

    Reply to Bob