Trip to the Keys

[Alex F]

We had the opportunity to bring Inspiration to Ft Lauderdale, where she’ll spend her winter season. Our primary goal is to use the boat as much as possible while visiting. Besides long weekend getaways we would like to do more extended trips, which were on our bucket list for some time.

The first extended trip we’re planning to do is to the Keys during winter school break (kids are off for two weeks). Considering that it’s the prime boating season for FL region, I was wondering if anyone would like to join us. I think doing a trip like this as a group would be a lot of fun. Between CSR local FL members and few snowbirds, I hope that we can form a good group.

WHEN
We’re looking to start heading south from FTL around Dec 23/24[SUP]th[/SUP] and looking to return on Sunday, Jan 4[SUP]th[/SUP]. We're somewhat flexible, but these are the dates that would work for us.

Itinerary
I’m in the planning stage, so nothing is solid as of yet. Therefore, I’m open for any suggestions. Considering that I’m newbie to the FL region, I’d appreciate to hear some local knowledge and recommendations.

Preliminary, not in any particular order, I was thinking of the following ports:
Key Largo
Islamorado
Marathon
Key West
Marquesas Key
Dry Tortugas

Currently we’re thinking to celebrate New Years in Key West.

Where to stay
Considering that marinas might get filled fast, it would be a good idea to make advanced reservations. However, we pretty much “live” on the hook. So, we’ll be happy to raft with others and stay at anchor or mooring as long as we need to.

Updated 11/19/14: We just made reservations in Stock Island Marina for 3 nights (12/30-01/02).


If anyone is thinking that this is something they’ll be interested in, don’t be shy and jump aboard. If you can only make part of the trip or just meet for a weekend, that’s fine too.

Want to go, have the time, but don’t have your boat here?
I don’t have exact info at the moment (I'm sure our local CSR members can share some info on this), but I’ve heard that there are number of places where you can charter a boat (power, trawler, sail, etc.). This is just another option to consider in order to make the trip.

Are you vacationing in KW during this time, but not on your boat?
If timing works that you're in KW on vacation during the time CSR group is there, don't be strangers, let's see if can get together.

Let’s have the discussion going. And if someone has suggestions on the itinerary, please share your knowledge.

Who's in?

List of Participants:
[CSR name]: [crew names], [boat info], [Traveling From], [Dates (nights) Staying in Key West]
1. "Alex F": Alex and Jelena, Michelle(17), Daniel(9), "Inspiration" 420DB, Ft Lauderdale, 12/30-01/02 (3 nights)
2. "FootballFan": Mark and Deborah, crew TBD, "Devocean" 470DB, Adventura, TBD
3. "Arl798": Andrew and crew TBD, "TBD" 400DB, TBD, TBD
4. "COD": Steve and Kris, kids TBD, "Retreat" 500DB, Naples, TBD

Marina in Key West:
Stock Island at Florida marinas club "Key West Harbor": http://stockislandmarina.com/

 

[FootballFan]

Sign us up - had just typed our plans in the PM - before I read this.

We would be leaving marina 27th or so - but will catch up with you for a few days.

 

[Alex F]

That's great, Mark! Looking forward to meet you and the crew.

 

[Arl798]

Howdy... I am by no means an expert on the Keys but can offer some info on everything West of marathon.

Someone will have to fill in the info up to marathon but from there I would say a MUST STAY at Hawks Cay marina on Duck Key. The people there were so nice to us I could not believe it. Fishing was incredible, great pool, great food, fairly inexpensive, and an all around great crowd. I don't know how old your kids are but lots for them to do.

Once you get to Key West...I had my boat at Key West Bight marina which is right in the heart of Key West which was walking distance to everything, but during the winter months its quite expensive but much cheaper than the surrounding marinas. And the people who run it are A##holes. My boat is now on Stock Island at Florida marinas club "Key West Harbour" which is great and has a pool and a beach and much cheaper and better in my opinion.

From Key west as you head West to the Dry tortugas make sure you stop for an afternoon at Boca Grande Beach which is a great spot to hang out at the beach and offers guys like us a once and a lifetime chance to but our bigger boats up on the beach. Its all sand and drops off really quick so no risk of being aground. I beach mine all the time here and some days there are 30-70 foot sport fish beached. So incredible to see haha

Once in the Dry tortugas you will obviously be on the hook as there are no docks available but WOW what an incredible place to spend a few days. The park is on the honor system which lets be honest is very uncommon these days. Lots of place to throw the hook and explore. I was there in April after crossing the Gulf of Mexico and I loved it.

I will be around for 3 weeks ish from Dec 22 into January and I am planning to do another run to the Tortugas and do some more fishing. Everything is well marked and the markers are where they are suposed to be according to my garmin. I came in at night and had no issues.

 

[FootballFan]

I second Hawks Cay. We have stayed there we were on charters at least 3 times. Haven't been there in 2-3 years. Not sure how many boats will fit back in that Marina. We love Little Palm Island - however you are staying there for the resort on the island - don't look at it as a transient Marina.

 

[Alex F]

Howdy... I am by no means an expert on the Keys but can offer some info on everything West of marathon.

Someone will have to fill in the info up to marathon but from there I would say a MUST STAY at Hawks Cay marina on Duck Key. The people there were so nice to us I could not believe it. Fishing was incredible, great pool, great food, fairly inexpensive, and an all around great crowd. I don't know how old your kids are but lots for them to do.

Once you get to Key West...I had my boat at Key West Bight marina which is right in the heart of Key West which was walking distance to everything, but during the winter months its quite expensive but much cheaper than the surrounding marinas. And the people who run it are A##holes. My boat is now on Stock Island at Florida marinas club "Key West Harbour" which is great and has a pool and a beach and much cheaper and better in my opinion.

From Key west as you head West to the Dry tortugas make sure you stop for an afternoon at Boca Grande Beach which is a great spot to hang out at the beach and offers guys like us a once and a lifetime chance to but our bigger boats up on the beach. Its all sand and drops off really quick so no risk of being aground. I beach mine all the time here and some days there are 30-70 foot sport fish beached. So incredible to see haha

Once in the Dry tortugas you will obviously be on the hook as there are no docks available but WOW what an incredible place to spend a few days. The park is on the honor system which lets be honest is very uncommon these days. Lots of place to throw the hook and explore. I was there in April after crossing the Gulf of Mexico and I loved it.

I will be around for 3 weeks ish from Dec 22 into January and I am planning to do another run to the Tortugas and do some more fishing. Everything is well marked and the markers are where they are suposed to be according to my garmin. I came in at night and had no issues.

Great feedback, thanks Arl.

It sounds like you'll be there at the same time. Let's exchange the info (via PM) and see if we can get together. Perhaps we can do a run ti Dry Tortugas together.

Fishing sound sounds great. We would be up for it as well.

I looked at the marinas you've mentioned in Key West and sure enough we're comparing apples and oranges. The Key West Bight sounds to be kind of beat up, but in prime location. No fingers and fixed docks only adds some complexity to get off/on the boat (at least mine).

Stock Island at Florida has excellent reviews, but it's 3-4nm away. What's your primary transportation, dinghy, cab or something else?

A friend of mine suggested to stay at Galleon Resort Marina or A and B marina. What you guys think about those two? Based on what I see, they're in the same prime location as the Key West Bight, but both have decent reviews and priced reasonably.

We're looking to celebrate New Years in Key West, so I'm guessing that being closer to downtown would be preferred.

 

[CPT2012]

If I were you, I wouldn't go farther south of Marathon. You can do Boca Chita key (near Elliot), Ocean Reef, Hawks Cay and Marathon marina. IMO it makes no sense to spend all that fuel to get to Key West and back (160 miles from Miami takes a lot of fuel), and weather in December is not the best for a run to Tortugas, since it's a very long stretch of open water (70 miles). Key West is best visited by car, you can go to Tortugas on the ferry or some of the charter planes that go twice a day. If it wasn't for the uncertainty of crossing the gulf stream in winter, Bahamas (Bimini-Nassau-Berrys) should be the destination.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[FootballFan]

If I were you, I wouldn't go farther south of Marathon. You can do Boca Chita key (near Elliot), Ocean Reef, Hawks Cay and Marathon marina. IMO it makes no sense to spend all that fuel to get to Key West and back (160 miles from Miami takes a lot of fuel), and weather in December is not the best for a run to Tortugas, since it's a very long stretch of open water (70 miles). Key West is best visited by car, you can go to Tortugas on the ferry or some of the charter planes that go twice a day. If it wasn't for the uncertainty of crossing the gulf stream in winter, Bahamas (Bimini-Nassau-Berrys) should be the destination.
Just my 2 cents.

When is the best time of year for Tortugas?

 

[Bucit]

Try to PM Kevin27. He just had his Tiara there for 3-4 weeks a few months ago. I know there was one marina with homeless people all over and a dirty place. He ended up moving to anew marina.

 

[Alex F]

If I were you, I wouldn't go farther south of Marathon. You can do Boca Chita key (near Elliot), Ocean Reef, Hawks Cay and Marathon marina. IMO it makes no sense to spend all that fuel to get to Key West and back (160 miles from Miami takes a lot of fuel), and weather in December is not the best for a run to Tortugas, since it's a very long stretch of open water (70 miles). Key West is best visited by car, you can go to Tortugas on the ferry or some of the charter planes that go twice a day. If it wasn't for the uncertainty of crossing the gulf stream in winter, Bahamas (Bimini-Nassau-Berrys) should be the destination.
Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for your advice. You're absolutely correct and weather will be the driving factor on how far we'll be willing to go. But, I thought that Key West would be a must.

I was debating Bahamas vs. the Keys, but it made sense to leave trip to Bahamas for the spring time (kids spring break).

I was planning to start the tread and see if we can form a CSR Bahamas Trip.

 

[JC3]

If footballfan and you make a spring time run to the Bahamas we may make a run over too.

 

[Alex F]

When is the best time of year for Tortugas?

Some more questions:

- Is Islamorado an interesting port? Keys cruising guide says it's 3rd largest city in the Keys. But, I'm reading that there's limited water depths.
- Do you guys usually run on the outside (via Hawk Channel) or do you take chances and do inside run?

 

[Alex F]

If footballfan and you make a spring time run to the Bahamas we may make a run over too.

That would be great! I'll start the thread soon, just needs to find latest school dates for the spring break.

Where's Randy when we need him?.....LOL

 

[FootballFan]

Springtime to the Bahamas all depends on timing - want to - just too far out for me to schedule around work.

We were planning Key's for us over the holidays before Alex had started the thread - no brainer for us to jump in on the Keys. I would still be in favor of Key West - maybe or maybe not make the trip further west based on Weather.

 

[Alex F]

Springtime to the Bahamas all depends on timing - want to - just too far out for me to schedule around work.

We were planning Key's for us over the holidays before Alex had started the thread - no brainer for us to jump in on the Keys. I would still be in favor of Key West - maybe or maybe not make the trip further west based on Weather.

If more people join us in the Key West and the timing works for everyone, it would be cool to do a CSR New Years celebration party.

 

[Odyssey]

Hi Alex - it's awesome that you can come down and spend the winter here. I think Arl is right on with his recommendations. I have always wanted to do a Totugas trip but it is really, really far from my house in Delray Beach. There are spots in the Northern keys that should be done. Boca Chita comes to mind and of course, the Bahamas. Your trip plan sounds great. I'll be looking to join you on a shorter trip as I just can't get away for long periods of time due to my business.

Keep us updated and let me know if you want to do something local in the next couple weeks

 

[FootballFan]

When we have gone down previously, it was always on a boat we chartered in Miami. This will be our first trip to the Keys on our "new to us" boat, but leaving from Miami, will be same routing (unless we get a free weekend and pop down during the month of December for a night or two).

Week before last we had planned to go down to Hawks Cay for a couple of nights then back. Weather precluded that trip.

In the past we have gone outside from Government Cut down to Hawks Channel and other times inside route across Biscayne Bay. When we have been inside we never went further than Angelfish Creek to go outside. This was always on 40-45' boats with a 3-4 draft. What I remember going out at Angelfish is that the water gets really tight at each end of the channel. No problems once you get in. The couple of times I did this, I felt much tighter water on the inside end of the channel, markers were very vague and the depth display got pretty low. On the outside end good markers, easier to follow to good water. This has been at least 3 maybe 4 years since I have gone through Angelfish - so may be a totally different world now.

One observation, when you are following the ICW out across Biscayne bay - the view of downtown Miami is a Kodak moment.

From Angelfish down the rest of the Keys, have always stayed in Hawks Channel or on a calm day outside the Reefs.

By no means intended to be definitive, very limited experience which is dated. Hopefully we will get some more input from the folks that have done it much more.

 

[Arl798]

Great feedback, thanks Arl.

It sounds like you'll be there at the same time. Let's exchange the info (via PM) and see if we can get together. Perhaps we can do a run ti Dry Tortugas together.

Fishing sound sounds great. We would be up for it as well.

I looked at the marinas you've mentioned in Key West and sure enough we're comparing apples and oranges. The Key West Bight sounds to be kind of beat up, but in prime location. No fingers and fixed docks only adds some complexity to get off/on the boat (at least mine).

Stock Island at Florida has excellent reviews, but it's 3-4nm away. What's your primary transportation, dinghy, cab or something else?

A friend of mine suggested to stay at Galleon Resort Marina or A and B marina. What you guys think about those two? Based on what I see, they're in the same prime location as the Key West Bight, but both have decent reviews and priced reasonably.

We're looking to celebrate New Years in Key West, so I'm guessing that being closer to downtown would be preferred.

You are bang on...Key west bight is all about its location. The monthly rate for a 40' durring x mas will be about $3000 and Galleon and A and B and Conch are about twice the price from month to month so I would assume $5000 for the month. That to me is just crazy. I can keep my boat on stock island where I have a cool and a nice resort for $1000. Just to give you an idea of the difference.

I know people make it no problem on the gulf side and is great for the windy days but I always fish while underway so I stay in Hawks channel.

Note: the Boca I speak of is Different than Boca chica just so you know. Its half way between KW and the marquises.

I do realize as mentioned that it is pretty far to the Dry Tortugas but how many people can say they have brought there own boat to the HARDEST National Park in the USA. It's worth every drop of diesel.

I would definitely be up for a team effort to get to the Tortugas...

 

[Arl798]

Also I would be very interested in a trip to the Bahamas in the spring. As a Canadian flagged boat it has to leave the country once per year and I think April 15 is my deadline. It's gonna be Bahamas or Cuba.

 

[Gofirstclass]

"We’re looking to start heading south from FTL around Dec 23/24th and looking to return on Sunday, Jan 4th. We're somewhat flexible, but these are the dates that would work for us."

Your timing is perfect. We'll be in FL from 12/30 to 1/19 and will be in Key West from 1/4 to 1/7. Just let me know where she'll be moored and where you hide the spare key!