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Recommend itinerary? Fort Lauderdale to Key West

Discussion in 'Marinas & Waypoints' started by teaminvicta, Dec 5, 2009.

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  1. teaminvicta, Dec 5, 2009
    #1
    teaminvicta

    teaminvicta New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2009
    Messages:
    6
    Location:
    Hallandale, FL
    Can anyone recommend a nice itinerary, from Fort Lauderdale to Key West? I am in the area, on 70ft motor, and family (w kids) wants to go for Christmas, any thoughts? Thank you
  2. Pascal, Dec 5, 2009
    #2
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
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    Location:
    Miami, FL
    at 70' due to draft you are stuck outside in Hawk Channel. Personally, draft permitting i like the inside route but over 5' draft and some spots are a little tight.

    Depending on how much time you want to stay in Key West and what you prefer, here are some possible stops:

    Miami... come in at Gov Cut and stop at either Miami Beach Marina (night life on SoBe), anchor over night either in or just outside marine stadium (great skyline view), off the SW Key Biscayne Sandbar (nixon's cove, by KBYC, nice view good swimming) or go to No Name Harbor (protected nice park for the kids, morning stroll off the shoreline)

    If you like snorkeling, a stop at Key Largo Dry rocks at the Christ of the ocean statue is a must.

    For swimming, anchor of the infamous Holiday isle sand bar (1/2 mile to to the south of the channel entrance). dinghy, Jet Ski to sandbar.

    Hawks Resort on duck Key is a nice resort type marina, but if you draw more than 5 1/2 to 5 3/4 there is a hump in the channel right before the marina. If they can put you in the first basin, along the townhouses, the entrance is before the hump. I went there in April with 6 1/4 draft 70 footer, no problem. Nice overnight stop, good restaurant, pool, etc...

    Little Palm Island Resort... 6' draft is fine, pricey and exclusive, not really a family/kid place.

    Bahia Honda Beach, you can anchor between the old and new bridge and dinghy in the park. nothing to write home about but kids like the beach.

    Marathon? not much there in my opinion..

    You can also go thru the gulf side. I've never made it there, always has been strong northerlies whenever i had a chance. but there are some great spots to anchor, remote keys and sandbars, etc... draft in the main channel north of Bahia Honda is a little shallow, 5 to 6' MLW I think, but there are some deeper water north of the 7 miles bridge, check the charts.

    and off course, weather and time permitting, the crown jewel of the keys.. the Dry Tortugas. it's 60NM run for KW but worth it if the weather is good.

    hope this helps.

    that said, my opinion is that the keys are over rated and not "big boat" friendly. Once you are too big for the inside, your options are too limited. there aren't too many nice beaches and sandbars although many good diving/snorkeling spots.

    The Bahamas are closer. Heck. Bimini is closer to FTL than Key Largo... and even the Berry's are almost as close to FTL as Islamorada. In a week, you can easily do bimini and Great Harbor Cay with some nice side trips

    50 times better than the keys.
  3. YachtForums, Dec 5, 2009
    #3
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2002
    Messages:
    20,811
    Location:
    South Florida
    Good post! Agreed on the Keys. Would rather run to the islands.
  4. Capt J, Dec 5, 2009
    #4
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Messages:
    14,800
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    I agree on most everything said above. But I would rather be in Key West then many islands in the Bahamas. Key West has good food, shopping, restaurants. bars, museums, activities, while still retaining an island feel with great snorkeling and good fishing. Hawk's Cay is nice for a family........Ocean Reef in Key Largo is another stop..........but the Key's are generally bleak when you get over a 5' draft or so.
  5. Pascal, Dec 6, 2009
    #5
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Miami, FL
    Ocean Reef, we wanted to stop there earlier this year and was told on the phone that the marina is only open to members and their guests.

    i'm not a big fan of Key West... too crowded, it's a big tourist trap. I guess it depends on what you're looking for. I prefer a nice bahamian beach! :)