No Name Harbor and Bimini Crossing

[Elie]

Droping anchor just outside of No Name Harbor is a perfect solution. I spent many years ago 2 days there waiting for the end of a terrible norther(60 knts winds!) Very safe(Good holding, well protected by the dike of the Harbor and in fact a good harbor of refuge if already in the Bimini Islands and a big norther storm is on its way... As long as you have the time to come across before the arrival of the norther. Also keep in mind that the month of January, is very prone to huge northers, so watching for the weather is a good idea.

[PPLepew]

There's Miami Stadium too and sail out of Governor's Cut

[Davidhoy]

Originally Posted by SecondBase

I suspect you'll find a few boats "heading for Bahamas Wednesday after the weather breaks.."

Indeed, the forecast looks promising for Wednesday/Thursday, but then the door slams shut on Friday. Wind direction is not ideal, but otherwise it looks ok.

-David

[Virginia Lee]

I would second the recommendation for Nixon's harbor around the corner. We have come back from the Bahamas at night and found the boats anchored outside of No Name to be very hard to see against the backlight of Miami; passed close to their sterns on the "official channel" and had one or two that we didn't see until we were pretty close. The time we were without engine close-hauled and limited in navigation, that was not welcome. If you do anchor there rather than inside No Name, please light yourself up like a Christmas tree. I can't stress how hard it is to see a single boat anchor light against the skyline of Miami.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by Virginia Lee

I would second the recommendation for Nixon's harbor around the corner. We have come back from the Bahamas at night and found the boats anchored outside of No Name to be very hard to see against the backlight of Miami; passed close to their sterns on the "official channel" and had one or two that we didn't see until we were pretty close. The time we were without engine close-hauled and limited in navigation, that was not welcome. If you do anchor there rather than inside No Name, please light yourself up like a Christmas tree. I can't stress how hard it is to see a single boat anchor light against the skyline of Miami.

Also you get badly waked by all the sportfish tearing by.

[dneve]

As a 38 year resident of Key Biscayne and my boat at key Biscayne yacht Club, I would recommend anchoring off of Nixon's old heli pad. Good mud/sand bottom. No problem here with boat traffic. Great protection from east/southeast/northeast wind. Also if wind comes from west/northwest, go in the channel behind and just south of Nixon's to a super protected bay with homes all around. No shore access though. Good luck on your crossing!

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by dneve

. Also if wind comes from west/northwest, go in the channel behind and just south of Nixon's to a super protected bay with homes all around. No shore access though. Good luck on your crossing!

Jeez, now Hurricane Hole will get crowded like No Name.

[Davidhoy]

Anchored just outside No Name on Tuesday, followed by a nice smooth and quick crossing to Bimini. Relaxing with rum drinks now ;-). Thanks for all the advice!