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    • Coral Bay Marina (FL Keys Inside Route, St. M. 1160)

      Coral Bay Marina is one of several marinas clustered around the FL Keys Inside route, in the heart of Islamorada. It overlooks the southeasterly banks of the canal cutting off from the extreme northeasterly corner of Little Basin.

      Called this marina because we needed new boat batteries, they answered the phone right away. Marina was very accommodating, even ordered the batteries for us with one day service. The Trading Post and a liquor store is a 5 minute walk through a path behind the marina. Not a resorty type of marina, it’s a boatyard, but they have a pumpout which is nice since there are few on the bay side of upper keys. We are in a nice big slip with long finger piers on both sides.
      Mary Dixon

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For Coral Bay Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Coral Bay Marina

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    • Matecumbe Bight Anchorage (FL Keys Inside Route, St. M. 1166)

      Matecumbe Bight Anchorage is located off the Florida Keys Inside Route, just south and west of Lignumvitae Key. This is not a spot where you want to be if fresh northerly winds are in the offing, but there’s good shelter during times of southerly breezes.
      I’m familiar with the “creek” described below by Captain Dixon. It’s a tiny, SMALL CRAFT ONLY cut-through from the Lignumvitae Channel. During daylight hours, I’ve used this passage myself as a short-cut, but running it after dark at planing speed, well, the thought of this activity gives me the shudders.

      Matecumbe Bight. Anchored here May 5, 2012. Things were good until shortly before dark. Fishing boats started buzzing us. One came so close to our bow that I thought he was going to hit us. One boat stopped by and told us we were in the fishing boats `runway.’ So, even though it was dark, we pulled up anchor and moved farther NE behind the mangroves. There apparently is a creek that you can see on the chart, but not the naked eye, the fishing boats use.
      Mary Dixon

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Matecumbe Bight Anchorage

      Click on Chartlet Below to Open a Chart View Window,
      Centered on the Location of This Anchorage:

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    • Good Times at Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina (FL Keys Inside Route, Near St. M. 1155)

      Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina - Click for Chartview

      Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina, owned and operated by the city of Plantation Key, Florida, is one of only a handful of facilities, south of Jewfish Creek, and north of Channel Five, which offer ready transient dockage on the Florida Keys Inside Route. We have always found Plantation Yacht Harbor to be a superior facility in every sense, and yours truly recommends this marina without reservation. Just understand that the word got out long ago, so make your dockage reservations early!

      We are currently at Plantation, arrived yesterday. Could not get anyone on 16 but a phone call got quick response and we were met by two dock hands who were very professional and knew their stuff. Slips are big for our 2665 Regal but everything is very nice and set up to protect your boat. This is a marina attached to a park with everything but a restaurant on site, pool, tennis, soccer, baseball, volley ball. Showers, laundry in top shape. POUTs at each slip. Nice beach part of park, check for sunsets. Fuel and ice available, fuel $4.98 yesterday. Walked to Chilly Willys last night 1/4 mile walk, $10-20, good food.
      M & M Rhett
      `Lady Soul II’

      Tried unsuccessfully to reach PYH marina for 2 days by phone or vhf. They didn’t even return a message we left on their answering machine. We wanted to get fuel, water & pumpout. Also wanted to get a slip so we could go buy new boat batteries. We finally moved on to Coral Bay Marina at Lorelei anchorage who were very accommodating. Coral Bay is more like a boatyard, but they have ordered our batteries and we are in a nice slip. A mini grocery store and liquor store are right behind the marina. Afternoon of second day I was able to reach PYH by phone and they said they are in and out, and in the future just tie up at the fuel dock and they’ll get to us. I kept calling because I wanted to know what is going on with them because we’ll be back up that way. We had hesitated to do that because the fuel dock is not easy to get to and there isn’t room for more than one boat. We’ll do that in the future because there aren’t many pumpout places on the bay side of upper keys.
      Mary Dixon

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina

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    • Little Basin Anchorage (Statute Mile 1160)

      Little Basin is a semi-enclosed body of water, just off the Florida Keys Inside (Florida Bay) route. Its shores are overlooked by World Wide Sportsman – Bayside Marina, and several other smaller facilities. IN addition to “Ma’s Fish Camp,” listed below, also give Islamorada Fish Company a try, just next to WWS. GREAT grouper sandwiches and dockside dining!

      Little Basin is a nice anchorage if you don’t draw too much. I was able to hug the channel with a wing keel catalina drawing 4 feet. Stay close to the channel. Across the street is a great little restaurant. Ma’s Fish Camp. Great Bahamian Conch Chowder and fish dip. I am a snob for both and they have some of the best of both in the keys. The Key Lime pie is great and they will also make a salad and put grilled fish on it for you. North about one block up the street is the Keys Hurricane Memorial Park which is worth a visit for the history. Also a decent package store.
      Bob

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For Little Basin Anchorage

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Little Basin Anchorage

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    • World Wide Sportsman’s Bayside Marina (Statute Mile 1160)

      Bayside Marina is the (what else) marina part of the mammoth World Wide Sportsman’s operation, in the heart of Islamorada. There’s lots of neat restaurants, shops and provisioning possibilities within walking distance.
      HOWEVER, Captains Brooke and Susan are quite correct in their comments about the shallow entrance passage to this facility. We have often sounded 4 feet during MLW, while cruising into Little Basin. Deep draft vessels need not apply, but for those whose draft does not exceed 4 feet, give this facility a try!

      Today it was a short trip to Islamorada and are at the World Wide Sportsman Marina. Diesel is $4.09 and slip is $2.00/ft including free pumpout and electricity too. This is an EXTREMELY shallow approach 4′. Tide is 1 hour after Alligator reef if you want to come here. It really is nice once you get in.
      Brooke & Susan

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For World Wide Sportsman’s Bayside Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of World Wide Sportsman’s Bayside Marina

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    • Marker Restored and Hazard to Navigation Removed On Bowlegs Cut, Florida Keys Inside Route (Staute Mile 1165)

      A Week 31 LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS warned of an exposed I-beam in Bowlegs Cut, creating a dangerous situation in the passage and warranting a Navigation Alert on Cruisers’ Net. That danger has apparently been removed and the area returned to normal, as Capt. Grass assures us with his two passages.

      Went through Bowlegs cut on August 5 and everything appeared to be back to normal.
      Capt. Martin Grass

      Currently anchored in Cowpens. I returned northbound through Bowlegs Cut this afternoon (8 August) at idle speed and everything appeared normal to me.
      Capt. Martin Grass

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Bowlegs Cut

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    • Channel Key Pass (Fl. Keys ICW through Channel Key Banks) – Navigational Conundrum Resolved

      Captain Charmaine’s article below is a follow-up to her earlier story here on the Cruisers’ Net, entitled, “Channel Key Pass ‘“ Navigational Conundrum (Florida Keys Inside Route, Statute Mile 1179.5).” If you have not yet red this article, please do so by following this link (http://www.CrusiersNet.net/channel-key-pass-navigational-conundrum-florida-keys-inside-route-statute-mile-1179-5) BEFORE delving into Charmaine’s story below. This account will be far more meaningful once the background has passed before your eyes.

      May 18, 2011

      Channel Key Pass (ICW through Channel Key Banks) – Navigational Conundrum Resolved
      N 24 48.768 W 80 54.708 (Green #5 & #7 and Red #8)
      by Charmaine Smith Ladd

      The navigational conundrum posed in my article of May 11th has been resolved. Love when that happens! LOL

      To quickly refresh your memory, see the illustration below. This is in the waters of Florida Bay, which average 7-9 feet. While traversing the Bay between Channel Five and the Seven Mile Bridge, we aboard September Sea came across what seemed to be an unusual navigational aid configuration along the ICW at Channel Key Pass:

      Channel Key Pass (ICW through Channel Key Banks) N 24 48.768 W 80 54.708 (Green markers #5 & #7 and Red marker #8)

      It seemed as per the chart, going outside Red marker #8 would keep my 5’8 draft in consistently deeper water and away from the shoals. I wondered why the marked channel was so narrow, seemed to come so very close to the southern shoal of Channel Key Bank, and was in a slight “S” configuration. That’s a lot more to think about than merely opting to go outside Red Marker #8 and be in what the chart shows as 7 ft. waters. Then I thought about the possibility of navigating this area at night or in foul weather! I had to know more about this area before either of those scenarios ever became a reality. Therefore, being daytime, I decided to follow the marked channel. With good daylight it was easier to see the shoals. Yet still, when passing through the marked channel, my keel was in only inches of water. That’s when I began to doubt whether I had made the correct decision.

      Since that time, I have researched to view satellite images of the area (seen side-by-side below). The images show distinctly lighter colored areas outside Red marker #8. This is an obvious indication of inconsistent depths. The black and white image on the left reflects a yellow ring I have drawn around the questionable depth area. The Google Earth image on the right, being in color, does not show that contrast as clearly. The yellow pins I’ve drawn flank the northern and southern boundaries of Channel Key Pass per NOAA charts. It is apparent the yellow ringed area lies within those boundaries.

      Satellite Image Comparisons of Channel Key Pass

      In the future, I will take the marked channel through Channel Key Banks. It is my belief that while navigating the “S” curve, I allowed the stern to swing a bit off the centerline. This would explain why my depth sounder went off and showed only inches of water. I was a bit too close to the shoal of Green Marker #7. When navigating this Pass, be sure to stay in the center of the passage. It is quite narrow and confusing, but it is totally accurate. The chart does show that a bit of shoal overlaps the Pass. Stay a bit more north when passing Green Marker #7 and you’ll be just fine.

      Most boats in Florida Bay do not have the worries about depth as we who draw 5’8 or more. The other sailboat observed that day which decided to pass to the North of the marked Channel (outside of Red Marker #8) was more than likely as confused as we were. His choice was probably decided as per the chart showing enough depth within that course. His thinking was to not risk any dealings to the shoal off Green Marker #7. But now that I have seen the satellite images, it is clear that is not the safest course to take. The satellite images also reveal the logic behind the configuration of the Channel Key Pass markers.

      My next trip there will include going out in the dinghy and taking some depth soundings of the yellow ringed area with a handheld sonar. Even though the satellite images indicate some shoaling there (enough at this point to avoid the area with my 5’8 draft); this writer’s curious nature would love to know what truly lies beneath!

      The NOAA satellite image used here was obtained from a fellow cruiser who has a program on his chartplotter which allows him to overlay such images. Google Earth images were easily obtained by downloading the resources directly from Google Earth. However, the side-by-side comparison shows that the contrast images on Google Earth are not always clear enough to be used for detecting navigational hazards at sea. It is evident that in this case, the NOAA satellite image most clearly reveals the answer to what once was the Channel Key Pass navigational conundrum.

      Cruisers helping Cruisers = Conundrum Resolved!

      Charmaine Smith Ladd
      SSECN Special Correspondent, Florida Keys
      “Bringing you the low down from down low!”
      www.SeptemberSea.com

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    • Cowpens Northeastern Anchorage (Florida Keys Inside Route near St. M. 1154.5)

      Wouldn’t want to get caught here in fresh western or southwestern winds, but otherwise, this spot makes for a good Florida Keys place to drop the hook!

      Great little site, well protected from the south & east. Founder’s Park has a full marina with fuel, ice, and pump out station. There is a nice beach, tennis courts, pool, fields, amphitheater, and even a dog park.
      Bill Longstreth

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For Cowpens Northeastern Anchorage

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Cowpens Northeastern Anchorage

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    • Whale Harbor Channel – Wilson Key Anchorage (near Statute Mile 1156.5)

      The anchorage described below lies off the eastern half of the Whale Harbor Channel, and is entered from the Florida Keys Inside/ICW route. We have always found the swing room here to be limited, but clearly Captain Erwan did not suffer from this problem.

      Very nice anchorage, quiet compared to the one on the other side of the Wilson Key. The bottom is very soft mud, so not very good in strong wind. Don’t go too far inside the bay, it becomes shallow very fast.
      We anchored there to visit the `Theater of the Sea’. It’s at a walking distance from the shore where it’s easy to dinghy. Ice, small grocery and Tiki bar very close.
      Erwan

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For Whale Harbor Channel ‘“ Wilson Key Anchorage

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Whale Harbor Channel ‘“ Wilson Key Anchorage

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    • Lignumvitae Key Mooring Field (near Statute Mile 1162.5)

      Clearly, the state of Florida is not keeping up with this mooring field. In the absence of more than one mooring, you can still choose to drop the hook here.

      Spent one night there on March 13. I found only 1 mooring ball.
      Erwan

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For Lignumvitae Key Mooring Field

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Lignumvitae Key Mooring Field

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    • Matecumbe Harbor Anchorage (Florida Keys Inside Route, near St. M. 1168)

      Click the chartlet below, which will open a Chart View page centered on this anchorage. Now, even though they are not noted on the chart, be aware that high-tension powerlines cross the southern reaches of Matecumbe Harbor. Captain Erwan can certainly anchor here if he likes, but, for me, I would be sleepless the entire night anchored on these waters in a sailcraft, worrying about dragging into these deadly obstructions.

      I’m not [in agreement] with the `powercraft ONLY’. I have a 31ft sailboat and we spent one night in its beautiful anchorage. There is enough room and depth to stay away from the power lines. The bottom is hard mud which hold very well.
      You can go ashore using the dinghy and the channel 2 passage, but not possible on the bay side because it’s a private marina.
      Erwan

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For Matecumbe Harbor Anchorage

      Click on Chartlet Below to Open a Chart View Window,
      Centered on the Location of This Anchorage:

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    • Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina (Florida Keys Inside Route, near Statute Mile 1155)

      Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina lies along the Florida Keys Inside Route (ICW) a short hop south and west of Tavernier Creek. It is one of the most transient friendly facilities between Jewfish Creek and Marathon!

      Nice marina with all amenities, and very nice dockmaster. The beach is great with kids. Be careful when approaching the fuel dock at low tide, there is a rock on the right’¦I touched it even with my 4’3’³ keel’¦
      Erwan

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina

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    • Good Times at the Matecumbe Bight Anchorage (Florida Key Inside/ICW Route, near St. M. 1166)

      The Matecumbe Bight Anchorage is located off the Florida Keys Inside Route, near Statute Mile 1166, and it lies south-southeast of marker #97. As Captain Dan notes, this is a good overnight haven as long as fresh northerly winds are NOT in the offing.

      Nice spot’¦.good for anything but strong north winds. You might even have it to yourself.
      Dan

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Matecumbe Bight Anchorage

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Matecumbe Bight Anchorage

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    • Good Times at the Lignumvitae Key Mooring Field

      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

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Lignumvitae Mooring Field

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Lignumvitae Mooring Field

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    • Coral Bay Marina (Florida Keys Inside Route near St. M. 1160)

      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

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For Coral Bay Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Coral Bay Marina

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    • Matecumbe Bight Anchorage (Statute Mile 1166)

      The anchorage so accurately described below by Captain Ron lies off the Inside/ICW Florida Keys route, just southwest of the long gap between Upper and Lower Matecumbe Keys. With winds blowing from the south, southeast or east, this is a great place to anchor!

      This is one of our favorite Keys anchorages. For some reason, the water is always clear, even on the turn of the tides, and the holding is superb. We frequently check our bottom here with the excellent visibility and is a nice place to take a dip. We have rarely seen other boats here. Even if the wind switched from the West, we wouldn’t worry as the most you’d get is a bumpy 2-3 foot chop. There [are no services] available here to the cruiser.
      Ron

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For The Matecumbe Bight Anchorage

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    • Bamboo Key Anchorage (Florida Keys Inside/ICW Route, near St. M. 1185)

      Hmmmm. Sounds like getting an anchor to hold on these waters could be a real chore. We suggest you take Captain Ron’s report into account BEFORE trying to drop the hook here.
      Darn! This a beautiful spot!

      We once tried to drop the hook at Bamboo Key for over a half hour because of the beautiful water clarity and serenity. After numerous attempts in calm conditions, the hook would not set. We discovered it is a thin layer of sand over hard coral. We would not consider anchoring here even to snorkel without someone aboard and that would only be in very light conditions. Otherwise, very pretty.
      Ron

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For Bamboo Key Anchorage

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    • Islamorado Anchorage + Lor-e-lei Restaurant, Cabana Bar, and Marina (near St. M. 1160, Inside/ICW Route)

      Sounds like Captains John and Susan dropped the hook in the nearby “Islamorada Anchorage, and then dinghied into Lorelei. Clearly, they had an unfortunate experience there.

      We also anchored off the Lor-E-Lei and went in for refreshments and dinner. It was early so we sat at the bar (in the shade) and had a few adult beverages and then had dinner. Dinner was OK except the Fritters were raw inside. We paid, no complaining, and headed to the outside to sit and listen to the entertainment which had just kicked off. One more beer and we were heading back to the boat. The Waitress rudely informed us that we could not sit out there unless we ordered food. No signs stating such. I told her that I had already spent 50 bucks with tip and she said,’I make my money from tips.’ and told us we could not sit. Rude wait staff will always cause patrons to leave. Stay away from this place unless that is OK with you.
      John and Susan

      My experience here is: Nice place, Beautiful Sunsets, sandy beach outdoor seating with torches lit, nice atmosphere, great live entertainment, kids have room to run, mediocre food.
      Been here several times and never had a problem with the staff but then again I was eating or drinking until I left’¦.. you can sit at the bar and listen to the music if you’re not going to order food, it’s just as close to the stage as the sandy area, just on the other side of the stage and still outdoors.
      Jules Robinson

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For The Islamorada Anchorage

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For Lor-e-lei Restaurant, Cabana Bar, and Marina

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    • Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina (FL Keys Inside Route, between Tavernier Creek and Islamorada)

      Plantation Key Yacht Harbor is now one of only two facilities that offer transient dockage for cruising size craft between Jewfish Key and Islamorada. The other is Mangrove Marina.
      We have always been very impressed with the Plantation Key facility. Shelter is excellent, the amenities are surprisingly good, particularly for a municipal marina, and there’s shopping and dining close by. What more could you ask?

      Like a magnet we are always drawn back to this great marina. Tim and his crew just have it right. Friendly, knowledgable, and very professional. The marina is well protected and very modern. Tennis, beautiful beach, huge pool, clean showers and rest rooms. Dockside pumpouts. Entertainment and great eateries are nearby but require a car. First class in every respect.
      Marsha & Bob
      M/V Threadbare

      Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For Plantation Yacht Harbor

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    • Lignumvitae Key Mooring Field and Visitor’s Center

      Lignumvitae Key, named for a very slow growing tree which can be found here, lies on the long gap between Upper and Lower Matecumbe Keys. There is a visitor’s dock and visitors center near the eastern banks, while a small mooring field will be discovered off the isle’s northwestern banks.

      Lignumvitae House and Tour continue to be only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. One can visit and walk around the house area only on Mondays and Thursdays. The outside of the dock is available to tie up but watch the depth ‘“ I think it was under five feet. We tied to a mooring ball on 3-11-2010 ‘“ there are only two left.
      Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE)

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For

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