Great Places to Live at Anchor in the Keys ?

[ReMetau]

We're in Marathon at the Marathon Marina. The Doerfels are always a good time at the Hurricane. We're going to go see them on Christmas Eve.

[Dexter&Shrimpy]

Congrats on the boat purchase.

Having anchored in all the major anchorages in the Keys I can say that Marathon is a good anchorage... protected, easy provisioning, built in cruising community, lots of folks to lend a helping hand to a new cruiser, dinghy docks, home depot close by, the list goes on. The cons of Marathon is that unless you fish or snorkel/dive, Marathon is a little dull after about a week. and the water is pretty cold right now so unless you are into full body gear for diving/snorkeling it's too cold for that right now.

Key West is great for a town with lots of action. I personally think the anchorages suck. Crowded and in a north or north west wind it's like riding a rodeo bull and that is unfortunately a near weekly weather occurence (in my opinion).

Bahia Honda is nice. Blackwater and Buttonwood sounds behind Key Largo (bay side) are nice anchorages. Islamorada has a decent anchorage.

I suggest skipping Stock Island. Alot of people that would otherwise be homeless live there, really scary boats and homeless people in the woods. Not the harmless sort of homeless either... if you do anchor there, chain your dinghy to something that doesn't move and lock up your boat. You will regret it if you don't. Good place to sit out a blow on the way to Key West though...

Try them all and figure out what you like personally.

Most of all ENJOY!!