dinner key anchorage

[greg cook]

Hi
We will be in the south Florida area in April on our way to the Exumas.We would like to anchor near the coconut grove area for a couple of days to do some land based exploring.What are the recomended anchorages and are they relatively secure.We draw 4.5 feet and would appreciate any recomendations for things to see and do in this area.
best regards
Greg&Rachel Cook

[s/v Moondancer]

I draw 7ft 6 inches and I am presently afloat most of the time between markers 4 & 6 just to the north of the Brennan Channel that is 1/2 a mile south of Dinner Key Channel. It is shallow between the Dinner Key Channnel and the anchorage so it is better to approach from the Brennan or go into Dinner Key and come back out the Brennan. With a 4.5 draft you can anchor almost anywhere. Lock your dinghy securely as there are several less than desirable occupants of the anchorage and we have had boats 'boarded by undesirables' in the last few weeks

However, the City is about to start work on the new mooring field and shortly will be moving boats around so that they can work at putting down moorings.

An alternative to the anchorage is the Coconut Grove Sailing Club which is next to Dinner Key Marina on the South side. It is 35$/night for boats up to 42 ft. There is a 24/7 launch service and good showers and Bar.

www.CGSC.org

Phil