Hotel/Marina advice in the Keys

[delayed gratification]

I am looking for suggestions for marinas that would accomodate a 38ft boat with a hotel or other lodging on site between Key Largo and Key West.
I would also appreciate any local knowlege about approaching Key West from Hawks Channel south of the 7 mile bridge. Thanks

 

[missnmountains]

We have stayed in Key Largo, Bahia Del Mar, Duck Key, Hawks Cay, Marathon, Marathon Marina, and Key West, Galleon, A&B, and Conch Harbor.

Bahia Del Mar is a very nice resort with 5 pools, bars, hotel. It is one way boat traffic in and a little dangerous. You need to hail prior to your approach in (securte'e) to avoid outbound traffic. I will go back.

Hawk Cay is a very nice resort. Pools, bars, swim with dolphins. Hail on 16 before you enter as the entrance is a little confusing (GO TO THE STARBOARD). The current around to the resort is swift. I will go back.

Marathon Marina....SUCKS!! This is at the seven mile bridge. There is nothing to do at all. Cheap fuel here or a little further in at Panchos. Stay left as you enter. There is very skinny water to the starboard.

Key West... Our favorite. A&B has the best slip fees, and is close to Duval. Galleon and Conch are a little more expensive, but Conch has a bar and pool, Dante's. The Galleon has Hotel, Pool and Bars.

I am assuming you are not going through Moser Channel. If just heading down Hawks, you really cannot miss the entrance to the West Bight in Key West. Hawks will end at some very large Bouys, and you will turn to the starboard past the Cruise Ships. Once past the cruise ships, the West Bight is there. You will see the Conch Fuel Dock and the A&B Fuel Dock.

When are you going? We will be at the Conch Harbor Marina between Christmas and New Years.

Ken

 

[delayed gratification]

Thank you Ken. Good advice. I think I may go Ft Lauderdale to Marriott Key Largo on day 1, then go for Key West. I keep the boat in FL, but don't live there. I am a novice with limited experience, so Moser Channel on the Bay side looked a little to challenging without local knowlege, but thats just looking at charts. I'm tentatively going down end of Jan, but will probably be down in Feb and March as well. I would really like to meet sometime. It would be great to follow someone who knows what they are doing. I would also like to follow someone to the Naples/FT Myers area. I looked at yacht channel by marker 1. It looked too easy to run aground. I think Key West to Ft Myers would be a good trip providing the weather is OK. Another boat would definitely make it less intimidating. Perhaps I could hook up with other club members traveling together on one of these trips.
Thanks, nick

 

[JC3]

Nick, I would reconsider Marriott and look at Del Mar. It is located at mm100 and is centrally located. Lots more to see and do. Coming down the Bay take Angel Fish Creek outside and its an easy short hop, skip and a jump. Good luck, JC

 

[Tonka Boater]

I was looking at the Key West Harbor Yacht Club. Seems to be a very nice place....here's a link to their site.

http://www.wetanddryslips.com/
.

 

[delayed gratification]

I found marina del mar on the charts. It appears to be a good location. I can appreciate Ken's advice about entry, especially the blind corner. Key West Harbor Yacht Club and Hawks Cay look exceptionally nice. Thanks again nick

 

[Asureyez]

Seas [permting, run off shore to Flwley rock, than run off to Stbd, maidning your charts in to Hawks Channel, Run south to DelMar or Hawks Cay, nic eeasy 4 hour run at the max.

The a 4 hour run to Key West from Hawks Channel from there. I makde the whole jump in one days run, Pt Everglads to A & B docks in 11 hours with a fuel stop in Marathon.

Going on the Inside, take the ICW to Angle Fish Creek. best Transit on higher tides as some shoaling at West Entrance as wells a the Hawkks channel, ther eis a 5 foot Bar.

In Hawks go for it just watch the chart.

Hotels in KW, if you are at A&B, there is a Westin & Hyatt within a few blocks. Rent a golf cart and your done. If you stay at the Galleon, they have a Hotel, the rooms are B-B+ and expensive as the rest which at A+

I prefer the Galleon Docks as they are a little quieter at night. A&B is mostly charter fish, big boats and the crews are on the loud side with their parties on the dock every night. I like a party, but somtimes you just want to DYOT.