Dinner Key Anchorage

[Cool Change]

Anyone on the board familiar with Dinner Key Anchorage in Coconut Grove Florida?
I am considering cruising there to hang out for a couple of months during the Fall/Winter before heading to the BVI.
Any info would be appreciated.
s/v Cool Change II

[CSY Man]

Well, not familiar with the anchorage, but been there a few times.
Seems to be 30 or so boats riding the hook there.

Plenty of other anchorages in the area: No Name Harbor, Elliot Key, etc.

[Cool Change]

CSY
Thanks. would any of the anchorages you mentioned be suitable for an extended stay? What about access to the mainland, shopping, showers and libraries?
Appreciate any info you have.
s/v Cool Change II

[GordMay]

It’s been a while since I’ve been there.
Biscayne Bay is largely parkland, and so highly regulated and not friendly to live-aboard..

Dinner Key has a Liveaboard Association, which may have a website? This is, likely, your best bet in the area. It's immediately South of Coconut Grove Marina, and there is shopping nearby (long walk or bike). There (used to be?) up to 100 boats anchored there. Used to be a dinghy dock.
Just found this:


The Living Aboard Page
This page was created to provide information on the live aboard lifestyle with useful links & articles. If you would like to contribute a link or article to this page please email theboss@sailmiami.com
Dinner Key Anchorage Association: This organization was formed to provide a voice for the residents of Coconut Grove, Miami, Fl. who live aboard their boat in the anchorage off of Dinner Key Marina. Recently the Association was asked to provide input on the study of the waterfront and anchorage by City of Miami officials who wish to install moorings in the anchorage and to possibly provide shoreside facilities. The Association is represented on the City of Miami's Waterfront Advisory Board Anchorage Committee, and on the Technical Assistance Team assembled by the Department of Environmental Protection, who is in charge of the in depth study. To get involved in the Association, please call David Bricker at 305-856-4333.

Generally, the Eastern side of the bay won't be suitable, except as a jump-off to the Bahamas etc...

ie: No Name Harbour is an excellent hangout for a couple of days, but I don’t think you’ll be allowed to stay as long as you’d like, and there’s no shopping/provisions. It’s small and there’s now a mooring fee (Park).

Boca Chita & Ragged Keys are only day-stops.

Further South, Marathon's Boot Key Harbour is another live-aboard haven.

To the North, you'll find Crandon Park Marina, and Miami Marine Stadium anchorages - neither as friendly as they once were.

Regards,
Gord

[Cool Change]

Thank you all for the info. I had considered Boot Key Harbor but am not sure I will be able to enter there with a 6' draft.
Guess I will try Dinner Key.
s/v Cool Change II

[CSY Man]

Excellent posting Mr. GordMay.

You are right about the fee at No-Name, have seen a sign there about $10.00 a day, but nobody ever tried to collect it from us and we been there 10 or 15 times
Mostly as a jump-off point for the Bahamas. It would probably also be a great hurrican hole due to the protection from all points on the compass, although the holding my be suspect....

The stadium , or Virginia Key is a popular anchorage, but I have been chased away by the police boats a few times there.
They keep saying this is not an anchorage..
It is also a night mare during the week-end as there is a Jet-Ski rental right there, and all the low-life speed freaks rent their scooters there and buzz around at high speed and noise all day.

Yes for long term anchoring, then the Dinner Key area may be the ticket.

[GordMay]

Boot Key Harbor Anchorage @ Marathon on Vaca Key is worth another look:

8 feet max. (LW) harbour depth.

4-5 feet (LW) through Sisters Creek.

7 feet (LW) through Western Entrance @ 7 Mile Bridge.

Good facilities, protected.
Becoming a managed mooring field. Not charging for moorings as of Jan. 2002.
Contact the Marathon City Marina on the VHF for availability. Free anchoring may still be allowed?

Gord