Day Trips in Miami Area

J

JJR222

Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2007
RO Number
28540
Messages
52
Hello all, just moved from Boynton to Miami and keeping my boat at Marine Stadium Marina. I'm new to the area and was looking for as many of you to chime in about fun anchorages, day trips, etc. as well as any local advice regarding depths, danger areas, etc. I've looked at my chart, and it appears the ICW is pretty simple going south on the bay to Elliot Key, but clueless about the approach to these areas (Boca Chica, Elliot Key, etc.) I have a 23 foot Pro-Line with outboard motor, so depth is usually not too much trouble. Also, any recommended cruising guides for the area? I love doing weekend trips and docking at a hotel and checking out the area. I'd love to do Islamorada, and even Key West, but not sure if my boat is up for the challenge.

Thanks to all.

John
 
you can start here,
http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=113834
there is a link to a Google Earth file i put together with anchorages and marinas in the area.

Popular spots from marina stadium are the sandbar at the SW tip of Key Biscayne as well as No name Harbor on the south shore of KB

eliott and Boca Chita are easy to get to, just do not take short cuts thru the markers to cross Feather Bank. (obvious on chart)

Boca has floating bouys marking the channel, stay in there plenty of water. although in summer mosquitoes can be vicious at BC... much better at eliott.

Key West is far, but start with Key Largo or islamorada, again if you follow the ICW channel it's easy. tehre are a number of hotels there with docks.
 
Welcome John -

Janet and I keep our boat next door at the Rickenbacker Marina dry stack for the winter half of the year. Great location. I concur with Pascal's comments and recommended locations. As Capt Bill pointed out, Jimbo's is worth a visit, too.
"Stiltsville" is also worth a visit. It's a collection of historic fishing shacks about a mile south of Cape Florida, which is the southern tip of Key Biscayne.

Here are a few photos of some locations:

Boca Chita Key
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Inside harbor at Boca Chita Key
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Miami Marine Stadium
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Whale Harbor Channel sandbar...also known as "Holiday Isle" Sandbar off Holiday Isle Resort in Islamorada
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Whale Harbor Channel sandbar...also known as "Holiday Isle" Sandbar off Holiday Isle Resort in Islamorada
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Beautiful water at the sandbar
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Off Miami with some crazy blow boater in a sailing dinghy in the foreground. ;)
Actually, that's Pascal's cool toy.
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Alligator Reef off Islamorada
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One of the stilt homes at "Stiltsville"
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More stilt homes
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LOL.... I like that picture of "Sabrosa" (that's what we named her...)

biscayne bay is one giant playground... you can fish, sail, snorkel, swim, ski or just relax in blue water, year round. There is no place like it anywhere on the east coast. enjoy!
 
Thanks so much for pointing out these places, I'm sure I'm going to love it, just got to cruise the boat down from Boynton, hopefully on Saturday. John.
 
Pascal -

I wish that photo came out better. It is a little out of focus. After I shot that series of shots of Sabrosa, I realized that I had knocked the little button on the lens that put it into manual focus mode. I was shooting under the assumption it was still in auto-focus. It is only through luck that it was that close to being in focus. It is only a litle out of focus.
Good to see you guys again in Annopolis on Monday. Thanks again for the hospitality.
 
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