The Florida State Park mooring field reviewed below lies off the northwesterly shores of Lignumvitae Key, which is itself found near the Indian Key Channel, and Lignumvitae Channel, off the Florida Keys Inside Route (near Islamarada). If you do stop here, don’t miss going ashore and taking the tour, BUT be SURE to apply a liberal amount of insect repellent first!
We dropped the anchor on 11/28/2010 at 2:30am and we really enjoyed the place in the morning when sun came up!! It’s peaceful and beautiful. The wind was East. Erwan
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
Coral Bay Marina is found off the Florida Keys Inside Route, in Islamorada, near both Lorelei Marina and World Wide Sportsman – Bayside Marina.
Transient dockage is available at Coral Bay Marina at mile 1160. I stayed there earlier this month for a week. The weekly rate is $7/ft. including 50 amp elec. and cable TV. Joe Wilson
Stayed there last summer. Great time in perfect location. Everyone was great. Looking forward to being back there again this summer M/V Everyday
The Garrison Bight ‘“ Fleming Key Mooring Field may just be the best buy in Key West. Of course, I have yet to find anything that could accurately be described as “inexpensive” in this vibrant community!
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
I would have thought a 4 1/2 foot draft sailcraft could have made use of the northern Newfound Harbor Channel Anchorage, but I’m glad sailing vessel Arkeoo found a good overnight stop in the more southerly Newfound Harbor haven
Found that the depths were not there for a 4’6’³ draft and we quickly retreated to the other Newfound Harbor anchorages which were fantastic. Very little boat traffic. S/V Arkeoo
This is one of my favorite anchorages in the Keys and 360 degree protection. On a nice day you can go out to Looe Key right there in the Atlantic and just grab a free government mooring ball and dive or snorkel the excellent reef, have lunch, etc. Also, we love to dinghy under the Keys Highway bridge from the harbor and dock the dinghy at the Parrotdise Grill for their excellent lobster reuben sandwich. There is a dive boat from one of the scuba dive places there that goes through the harbor on their way from the gulf side of the bridge to Looe Key and they will stop at your boat and pick you up, take you diving and drop you off at your boat on the way home. Very cool and great diving. Doug
Nice post Steve. Always good to get back to some of those old haunts and spend time with family.Thanks for sharing. Juan
Due to a low level bridge, the anchorage described below cannot be entered by any save small craft from the Florida Keys Inside Route (west of Marathon, also known as the “Back Route to Key West). However, as the Florida DOT has remove a portion of the old Bahia Honda bridge, it is possible for careful mariners to access this haven from Hawk Channel. Just don’t approach any other part of the old span too closely. Follow the link below to discover why!
Great anchorage with sandy beach and walking trails at the state park. Currents are strong, but a good Delta with chain worked great. We would not suggest this site with any north winds as it makes for an uncomfortable, sleepless night. Make sure you go to the beach on the Atlantic side for a beautiful sunset. S/V Arkeoo
Sounds like cruisers will need to get their hands on a rental car, or courtesy car, to take advantage of the dining attraction described below, but it also sounds as if it might be well worth the effort!
If you can drive to MM 22.5 you’ll find the `Square Grouper’ ‘“ one of the BEST restaurants I’ve ever eaten in, and clean ‘“ it’s so clean I swear you can eat off the floor. When I complemented the owner on the cleanliness, she said I ought to see the kitchen, `it’s even cleaner!’ GREAT!!!! August Trometer
Sounds GOOD, but you will need auto transportation to take advantage of this dining find!
If you can drive to MM 22.5 you’ll find the `Square Grouper’ ‘“ one of the BEST restaurants I’ve ever eaten in, and clean ‘“ it’s so clean I swear you can eat off the floor. When I complemented the owner on the cleanliness, she said I ought to see the kitchen, `it’s even cleaner!’ GREAT!!!! August Trometer
Well, I’m glad to hear that some of my earlier comments inspired Captain Jane to discover more healthy eating in Key West, BUT with alcohol also on the premises!
Claiborne “complained” in his introduction to my recent review of the organic health food restaurant “help yourself” that it doesn’t offer Mount Gay Rum… Well, Claiborne, since you mentioned it…. It just so happens that the human crew of Lady Jane just ate at a Key West health food restaurant where you don’t have to bring your own. The sign in the window says it all: Beer, Vegan, Vegetarian, BBQ Unwing Dings. How Key West loves internal contradiction! Tawdry bars, fried fish, restaurants with no complete walls and some with none at all… boozing until the wee hours and then somewhere else, not so much in full view are the health food folks, classical music concerts in the Episcopal church and yoga on the beach… We present to you, on the health food side, complete with internal contradiction, The Cafe. Its specialty? Organic food and organic microbrews and wine. Here you can sin — organically. The perfect place for a mixed marriage — where one partner needs beer and one needs to eat organic and vegan. Vegan items are clearly marked with asterisks; for those who need animal protein, there is fresh tuna and mussels, and if I’m remembering correctly the specials when I was there included local shrimp. Gorgonzola, fresh mozzarella, goat cheese, feta cheddar are among the cheeses that can be added to sandwiches. If you are vegetarian, or even hardcore vegan, this is a find. The Cafe makes its own seitan (an Asian-style high-protein wheat gluten that is often used as a “mock” meat) and it’s chewy and the best I’ve tasted — it bears no relationship to the packaged kind I’ve bought in supermarkets. The veggie burger is made with legumes, carrots, broccoli, mushroom, scallions and sunflower seeds — this is no skinny pre-packaged Boca Burger. Crisp outside and yummy on garlic Ciabatta bread. Falafel is excellent and the salad elements fresh. The stir fry is huge, especially if you add a protein, the brown rice perfectly done and the peanut sauce we tried was excellent, not too sweet and not overpowering — it had just the right hint of peanut to make it unctuous, not deadly. There are vegetable stir fry dishes, sandwiches, salads, pizzas and a category called “Food Food” that includes BBQ tofu, kung pao tofu, polenta cakes, seared yellowfin tuna, udon bowl, mussels, quiche, lasagna and a pasta of the day. Everything we tried was first rate, cooked with care and good fresh ingredients. We’ve been here three times and still like it. The Cafe is located at 509 Southard Street, just off Duval. It is open Monday through Saturday, 11 to 10 PM. http://theCafeKW.com Captain Jane S/V Lady Jane
No guarantees, but it certainly might be worth a try!
Cruising News: We love coming to the Keys each winter. Good friends, weather, great boating,… However, it gets old when you constantly read stories in the local papers about the need to increase or invent new TOURIST TAXES to pay for the locals’ government needs (never, of course, any suggestion about imposing an income tax). We’ve also noticed that many cafes and restaurants add a tip to your bill without prior notification (check your bill!). A group of friends recently did the Duval Shuffle. When they returned to one of the bars, the server asked, “Are you locals?” My smart friend quickly answered “Yes” and like magic they got a big reduction on their bar bill. The Keys are a tourist mecca, but it gets annoying when you’re constantly reminded that through the eyes of “locals” you are viewed as a cash cow. Wade Ehlen
Habour Cay Club is actually a private marina/condo association, located on the northern shores of the Marathon peninsula. However, these good people do take transients when space is available. Captain Wade’s laudatory report below is not the first time we have heard good things about this facility here on the Cruisers’ Net. If any of you have stayed here, please click the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, and share your experience.
After going under the Seven Mile Bridge to the bay side we only had to travel about 5 miles in calm conditions until we were abeam of the Fanny Keys, where we then turned to starboard and headed between them. A short time later we docked at Harbour Cay Club. The slip that we are in is a little shallow, but the view from our dock is “awesome!” It’s a small place with a great group of people. Wade Ehlen MT36 Shady Lady
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
In addition to wet slip dockage and the adjacent anchorage, Mangrove Marina also offers a full service repair yard. Mangrove Marina is now one of only three facilities that offer transient dockage on the Florida Key Inside Route between Blackwater Sound and Channel Five (the other two are Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina and World Wide Sportman’s Bayside Marina).
Visited here in March 2010. Did not use docks, instead anchored out in Community Harbor. Marina’s shoreside services were very good in all respects. Staff helpful, VERY clean showers, etc. Nice relaxing gazabo on shore’¦for the use of dockholders and dingy dock folks. Dingy dock rates $10/day. Stores, restaurants, movies, stores, hospital, etc. withen easy walking distance. We spent 6 days at anchor in the harbor due to weather. Was 360 protected and anchor held 1st time. Anchorage about 5 ft depth. Strongly recommend Community Harbor as a well protected, with all services available (as if dockside), anchorage. Howard Staley
Watch out for thin entrance depths and a poorly marked channel as you make your way to the National Park Service marina on Boca Chita Key, in Biscayne Bay.
After two enjoyable days in Miami Beach, Shady Lady and crew cruised south into Biscayne Bay, docking for two more nights at Boca Chita. Boca Chita (and Boca Chica both mean “small mouth”) is a small key which is part of the Biscayne Bay National Park. It has a small harbor which boaters can use for a $20 fee ($10 if you have a “Golden Age” pass). Campers are also permitted, but there is no electric, water or trash pick-up. The volunteer who lives there has solar electric power in his shop, cisterns to collect rain water, and is expected to live in a tent. However, he uses a small stone house that he’s cleaned up. Wade Ehlen MT36 Shady Lady New Bern NC
The anchorage reviewed below is located off Hawk Channel, far closer to Marathon than Key West. There are also several additional anchorages in the immediate region you might consider. Follow the third link below for more choices.
Fantastic, quiet anchorage. The entrance is between 50 and 50A on Hawks Channel. (Directly SE of the channel is some of the best snorking in the Keys, Looe Key.) When entering the channel, keep R”2″ 200′ to starboard. You will pass ritzy Little Palm Island resort (formerly known as Munson Island). It’s so expensive, you’re not even allowed to look at the island or they send you a bill (http://www.littlepalmisland.com). After passing, R”4″, head to G”5″ as there is a shoal in the middle of the channel. After passing G”5″ bear NE to R”6″. We dropped anchor just N of R”6″ (24 38.936N 081 22.637W) There are several unoccupied sailboats permanently anchored and you can drop the hook anywhere. There is no boat traffic to speak of except the small wodden vessel “The Truman” that ferries between Little Palm Island and the mainland.
Hawks Cay is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious marinas in all of the Florida Keys. You certainly won’t leave here dissatisfied with the service of the amenities, but your wallet may be a bit lighter. Note that this marina can ONLY be entered from the Hawk Channel side of Duck Key.
Anyone traveling to the Keys ,now or in the future, should consider a stop on Duck Key at Hawks Cay Marina . It is just fantastic. It’s worth the splurge on the slip fee. http://www.hawkscay.com/ The dockmaster, Beverly, is very helpful, along with everyone at the resort. As part of the slip fee, you will have access to all of the resort amenities. They have done an excellent job of catering to both adults and children without compromising one for the other. We can’t say enough about our 3 day stay last month. We are already making reservations for our return trip in February. (We are currently 13 miles away at Sombrero Marina and Dockside Grille in Marathon, 1/2 the price of Hawks Cay with less than 1/100 of the amenities.)
If this is your first visit to Florida waters, please be aware that these docile, slow moving creatures – unlike their acrobatic cousins, the dolphins – cannot avoid your vessel, even at idle speed. Keeping a sharp lookout for manatee is really the only way to prevent hitting them.
The Captain of the Port advises all mariners operating in Florida’s waters that the Florida Manatee is a protected marine mammal under State and Federal Law. These protected species are known to inhabit the Lower St Johns River between the months of March and December. The Captain of the Port Jacksonville advises that all vessel crews be aware of the existence of the Florida Manatee during river transits. Vessel crews post adequate lookouts for these protected mammals when maneuvering near berths and in shallow areas. Should an incident occur, notify Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC), Law Enforcement Division at 888-404-3922.
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
This marina is the worst I have ever seen. We had a reservation. They did not answer radio or phone calls. When my wife asked about the laundry facility advertised on their web site the manager lied to her face saying there was no web site. He then said there were no laundries in town and no rental car agencies (there are both). Finally he told my wife he `didn’t like her and hoped we would leave soon. We did. In 30 years of boating I’ve never come across anyone as rude and aggressively unhelpful. Stay away from this place. David Gillespie
Agree, we stopped there back in January of 2010 before crossing over to the Bahamas. Even though the facilities and area were acceptable, the staff at the marina was the most unprofessional I had ever met. The staff at Dinner Key Marina was the same. I don’t know if its just a Miami thing but we completely bypassed the Miami area on the way back because of our experiences there. Lou
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′ 2’³ draft ‘“ he was adamant that the channel/mooring field only had 4′ 6’³ of water. Your cruising guide states 5’ 6’³ 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
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