Everglades City to Islamorada through Florida Bay

[BGJ]

It's our first time that far south since were from Sarasota with a 27', 350 single Merc. Staying at the Rod & Gun club then heading south to Islamorada. Anybody know if that path is clearly marked? We understand that there are many shoals in the Florida Bay area south of Cape Sable, a bit nervous!

[smj]

Do you have a chart? The route is clearly marked.

[BGJ]

Yes, a paper chart and our GPS. Once we exit Indian River Pass, turn left then can we expect channel markers south, yes?

[smj]

You will get markers that show the boundaries of the Everglades National Park. You could follow these until you get south of Cape Sable, then there are markers that will take you to the Yacht Channel. Once through the Yacht Channel there are the ICW markers that will take you to Islamadora. Not sure if I would consider this a marked channel as the markers are spread far apart.

[dennismenace111]

Yes there are marks along the way and your gps will guide you... I did that trip at night long before GPS.. Its easy...just pick your weather window. The gulf can get rough when the wind is out of the north or north west.

[Keysrock]

Just be very wary of the thousands of crab traps in Florida bay. They aren't supposed to be inside the channel, but keep a sharp lookout nontheless

[Snore]

Been to Everglades City frequently in a kayak (used to race) and up/down the coast in vessels to 70’. With a 27’ boat trip is a cake walk.

EC to Indian Key can be tricky. Following the markers. Indian Key to Cape Sable stay east of the poles that mark the limit of the park. This will keep you away from the pots. From Cape Sable to Islamorada, study your charts. IMHO put Navionics on an iPad with GPS, their depth charts are better than NOAA’s.

Oh yeah- check your range. There are no refueling spots along the way

[Quadrille in JB]

We sailed from LaBelle through Ft Myers through Fla Bay to Ft Pierce last week
It was a beautiful trip. The only problems you should have are avoiding the 1000’s of bouys directly in the channel. It looks like the bouys are dropped directly along the bread crumb line. I guess this makes it easier to find snd retrieve them.
It’s very hazardous and illegal but the Marine Patrol just ignores the problem.
When you get to the preserve areas you will see no more bouys.
Have a great trip

[rognvald]

We draw 4 feet and bumped once in Florida Bay at half-tide and once in the channel to Islamorada. After that experience, we choose to sail into Marathon with no problems other than crab pots. I hope this helps.
Safe Sailing . . . Rognvald

[BGJ]

Originally Posted by Quadrille in JB

We sailed from LaBelle through Ft Myers through Fla Bay to Ft Pierce last week
It was a beautiful trip. The only problems you should have are avoiding the 1000’s of bouys directly in the channel. It looks like the bouys are dropped directly along the bread crumb line. I guess this makes it easier to find snd retrieve them.
It’s very hazardous and illegal but the Marine Patrol just ignores the problem.
When you get to the preserve areas you will see no more bouys.
Have a great trip

----------------
Thanks SO much for the advise, we made it home to Sarasota safely. The south wind pushed us through Florida Bay nicely but when we entered the Gulf heading north riding the 4 foot waves was not as much fun. Held close to shore and watched the sun set then made our way to Everglades City in the pitch dark, what an adventure, scary but FUN!!
We'd love to hear how you guys got through the locks starting from Ft Pierce to Ft Meyers. That's our next trip and have never navigated fresh water or the lock system before. Thanks for sharing your lock stories! BGJ