Anchoring in Miami

[MAK982]

It has been several years since we have anchored off Miami as a spot to wait for a weather window to the Bahamas. Can anyone tell me where anchoring is allowed.

[2hullvenus]

At the moment, everywhere.

They will come visit you to see if they need to keep an eye on you or not, but do not bother you as far as staying.

[pete33458]

Everywhere there's no seagrass or coral, anyway. Where approximately are you thinking of anchoring, there's a lot of water in Miami. pete

[MAK982]

Originally Posted by pete33458

Everywhere there's no seagrass or coral, anyway. Where approximately are you thinking of anchoring, there's a lot of water in Miami. pete

Either side of the Venetian Causeway.
MAK982

[KeepInTune]

yes. Bill Baggs State Park just South end of Key Biscayne
25*40' 37'' N
80*09'48'' W
It's a state park and a great spot if you can find room. Many people wait there to go to Bahamas.

[Vasco]

We hang around the Venetian Causeway area and when we're ready to cross we head down to Key Biscayne, fuel and water up at Crandon marina and anchor off Nixons or Hurricane Harbor.

[pete33458]

Originally Posted by MAK982

Either side of the Venetian Causeway.
MAK982

OK, sorry, I can't help you there, not the kind of anchorage I would frequent. Lots of space W of Key Biscayne, sheltered under most conditions, gives you a better angle on the crossing to BAH to leave from Biscayne Channel than from Government Cut, so that's what I would do...

Pete

[KeepInTune]

Miami Marine Stadium is a good anchorage...
25*44'44'' N 80*10'10" W
..but Bill Baggs is still better

[pete33458]

The Marine Stadium entry is very hairy without local knowledge, fortunately it is mostly sand but the only way I would go in there without a previously recorded track is by following another boat, and even then if it runs aground you don't know what to do. Having said that, once inside it is a great anchorage and a short dinghy ride to the Rusty Pelican for drinks and dinner!

[KeepInTune]

Originally Posted by pete33458

The Marine Stadium entry is very hairy without local knowledge,...

I'm not sure I would describe the entry this way from my experience. Our charts and depths we saw heading in were fine -coming in from the SW end near the Rusty Pelican. If you stay away from the small island North of Rusty's the depths were fine for our 6.5' draft.
Our stay there was last Feb-March.

[pete33458]

It's a mostly unmarked entry. If you trust your electronic charts then yes, no problem. I don't, there have been too many times where they have shown me to be on land when I'm on the water (fortunately, not the reverse). I'm just giving the caution that I think most people who frequent that area would agree is well warranted, I'm not saying that it shouldn't be attempted.

[2hullvenus]

You can almost absolutely trust your charts in the USA.

The chart plotter is an aid to navigation.

Entering this anchorage, as everywhere else, you'll want to use your eyes too.

Picture how far a shoal extends as a fraction of the total width, then "see" the shoal as you enter in your mind, pick out convenient ranges to keep the boat between, etc. Also, look at what your chart plotter says for position.

Navigation is about using all available inputs. The chart plotter position is just one.

Use them all to navigate safely.

[FSMike]

I've found going into the Marine Stadium a piece of cake with paper charts.

Reports I've seen in the papers indicate that anchoring there may come to a halt due to the City rebuilding the stadium, or tearing it down, to move the Miami boat show there. Might want to check Activecaptain or some source of local knowledge. Last time I anchored there was March 2015 (I think lol).

[Waterway Guide]

FYI: Many have anchored in the Venetian Islands area and used the Collins Canal to provision as they wait for a window; however, a few months ago the city (Miami Beach) put up “tow away” signs all along the canal, so there are few places tot tie up for more than 20 minutes (Miami Beach cracks down on dinghy access located in Atlantic ICW - FL & St. Johns R. | Waterway Guide News Update).