Sailing the keys

[CatSailingMiami]

Hey guys I am new to this forum.

Looking to sail to the Keys for about a month or so starting next week.

I have yet to sail further south than Isla Morada interested in suggestions of where to go what to avoid good harbors or marinas etc.
We will be on a Gemini Legacy 35

thanks
Marco

[Davy J]

Marco, I'm tagging along for responses. We are leaving Tampa Bay next week. We've sailed to Marathon and Key West before but would like to do more gunk-holing this trip.

We are also in a Gemini, a 105Mc.

[tomfl]

Part of the problem answering your question is that Irma really messed things up. There is still lots of damage and large numbers of folks who live/lived in the keys had their homes and boats destroyed. That means no workers for business which means places one might go are a no go this season. Boot Key Harbor is the go to place and is recovering fairly well. It is a good base to start out from with lots of helpful folks.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Marco.

[Davy J]

Did you come down?

We are currently anchored at Bahia Honda State Park. They are a little pissy about the current situation. Marina closed. No entrance to the marina, most places are taped off..........

Plenty of campers on the beach though.............

[CatSailingMiami]

No have not left yet. Still thinking about 1st of Jan now. But sounds like I should wait for a few months

[SV Bacchus]

To add to what tomfl said, we were just in Marathon and witnessed what he is saying. We stayed at Boot Key Harbor and that whole experience was quite pleasant.

One night we went to a nearby restaurant, walking distance. While waiting for our food we spoke with the owner about the hurricane. She told us most of her employees evacuated the Keys for the hurricane but 7 never returned. They had no house left to return to so they just never came back.

We noticed most places on Marathon were open but quite a few had abbreviated hours or open less days a week than pre-hurricane. The local Publix is crowded as Winn-Dixie hasn't reopened yet.

It is a long, slow road to full recovery but they are working on it and they appreciate customers bringing in money.

[Tampabayfireman]

Ok a few misconceptions still exist about the keys after Irma. We have been anchored out now since nov 1 in key west just off Fleming Key. While it is true the keys got beat up let there be no misconceptions that they are not open or up and running. Key West is more than Just open. It has been great. The bight harbor dinghy dock is open and there is plenty of space to anchor just north of town off Fleming.

We have had no issues at all. In fact, the storm did a little urban renewal and FEMA/cg is taking care to remove all the sunken boats around the entire keys. Don’t give a second thought about key West proper.

[Davy J]

Currently in Boot Key Harbor. Two days in Key West, two days at Newfound Harbor.

Key West was open, however, crane barges are picking up the wrecks there.

Wanted to get diesel fuel in Big Pine Key, Shell station still closed.

Kiki's Sandbar open on Little Torch Key. Excellent food.

The boat graveyards are vast, lot's of debris in the mangroves everywhere.

For the most part you can navigate the area, but be prepared for some places be closed.