FL Keys

[Mike in S Fla]

Hi Guy's

thinking about doing something different from the Bahamas this spring, and was wondering does anyone have any marina suggestions
for the keys
thanks, mike

 

[captainwjm]

Plantation Yacht Harbor, Islamorada

 

[motoryacht lover]

I will start by admitting that my boating balls are not that big. In other words, with inlets and depth I am pretty cautious. If you draw 3-4 feet you will have more options. I dont’ particularly care for Marathon but I like the Marathon Marina (first one you come to when coming from the gulf). Faro Blanco is nice but doesn’t have as good a view. Conch Harbor in Key west is OK but a little wild. Galleon would be my first choice but not good for walking dogs. Not much to do in Key largo close to the Marriot Marina. It is oK but the docks are not big enough for a 54’ (but doable) and you have to board off the transom only. People love Plantation harbor but I have not braved the entrance. Hawks cay was closed when I came by last summer but I think is open now. I hear that it was in a state of decline but supposedly now is updated. I have always wanted to try Palm island for a night but we have dogs so that rules us out. Also it was closed last summer as well recovering from Irma. I anchored out near Islamorada and went in by dinghy and I liked it. If you can get in to one of the marinas i would definetly stop there.

 

[Pascal]

The keys don’t compare to the Bahamas. How long will your trip be? Keys are fine for a few days if you don’t have time to get to the Bahamas

Plantation yacht harbor is a nice place, for a long week end. Marathon is a giant trailer park and key west is a tourist trap. Hawks resort is nice But it s all man made.

No real beaches, Bahia Honda is the only spot with anything close to
A beach ...the keys are great for fishing and diving but not for beaches and sandbars likenthe Bahamas

Your profile say you re from Stuart and have a 53. That means draft isn't a problem and you can cruise the bay side but then from Stuart th Berrys aren’t any further than the keys so why bother

 

[captainwjm]

People love Plantation harbor but I have not braved the entrance.

I anchored out near Islamorada and went in by dinghy and I liked it. If you can get in to one of the marinas i would definetly stop there.

5’ draft no problem at PYH from either the ICW or Hawk Channel, and if you watch the tides, a 6’ draft wil work from Hawk. We have several sportfishers with 6’ draft regularly. You can reserve a slip no further tha 60days in advance, and the marina is usually full by Nov. 1.

 

[Mike in S Fla]

Thanks for the suggestions, Yes I agree Pascal we've been going over to the Bahamas
the last few years and are looking for something a little different. Ill check out Plantation

Thanks

 

[Pascal]

Or maybe try a different oart of the bahamas. Where have you been? The berrys are too far, great harbor cay is a nice marina with a lot to explore around. There are many nice anchoarges like White Cay and the blue hole, Bird, etc...

 

[oscarvan]

Don't recall the amenities but I remember really enjoying Pennekamp State park.

 

[Pascal]

Small boat docks only, maybe up to 30’

That’s pretty much the whole thing about the keys. Great for small boats. Once you hit 50’ and 5’ draft you loose options.