Florida Keys Cruising

[shrimpydancer]

We are planning a bare boat sailing charter down the Florida Keys at Easter and are looking for information on the location of good marinas and possible passage plans. Are the marinas expensive, what are the alternatives, what is the policy for anchoring. Any information greatly appreciated.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, shrimpydancer.

➥ http://jfaughn.com/crew_boat_project...dinghykeys.htm

➥ http://nsgl.gso.uri.edu/flsgp/flsgph...99001_full.pdf

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by shrimpydancer

We are planning a bare boat sailing charter down the Florida Keys at Easter and are looking for information on the location of good marinas and possible passage plans. Are the marinas expensive, what are the alternatives, what is the policy for anchoring. Any information greatly appreciated.

Click on Active Captain, register (it's free) and use the interactive cruising guide to zero in on the areas you'll be cruising. Marinas, anchorages and other facilities are marked together with comments and reviews by other cruisers.

FWIW...

[Group9]

Lots of great places to cruise in the Florida Keys. Except for Marathon and Key West, the anchoring hysteria hasn't really hit the Keys yet (mainly for the simple reason that there aren't that many places in the Keys where you can build on the water, where owners will then complain about their new waterfront view being obstructed by anchoring boats). Thank the mangroves.

Do be aware of their love of undersea sea grass in certain areas, and the unbelievable penalties they will inflict on you for a detected violation.

Seagrass Outreach - With a little care you can avoid damaging seagrass habitat (and your boat!)

[shrimpydancer]

Thanks for your comments and advice I have registered with Active Captain and had a good look at it! Just need to try and find a good charter company now!

[zboss]

"shrimpydancer".... love it.

[zboss]

We are currently in KW mooring field. KW is a short stay only. Plan on only stopping here for a few short days to see the sites and that is about it.

[Group9]

Originally Posted by zboss

We are currently in KW mooring field. KW is a short stay only. Plan on only stopping here for a few short days to see the sites and that is about it.

When I lived in south Florida, my view was that KW was my least favorite place in the Keys. You pass through much nicer places getting there.