We have done this
route a lot over the past year. Here is what we have done.
1. Sailing south from Ft. Lauderdale the first decent place to
anchor is Biscayne bay. The north end you will find Biscayne Channel, you can follow it to the bay, then
anchor just about any place without worries.
2. If your friend didn't have a deep
draft boat you could go south in Biscayne bay but since he does, your best bet is to follow Hawk Channel to
Key Largo, We like to anchor just north of Rodriguez Key as far in as you feel comfortable. You can take your
dinghy into the Marina, there is some
shopping close also.
3. If you don't want to go all the way to Marathon, you can go through the snake creek channel and anchor on the gulf side, but the enterance to the channel is shallow at low tide so watch it.
4. The next best place is Marathon. You can go inside and anchor or moor up but you can also anchor on the outside on the south end of the island.
5. Next is
Bahia Honda, not a great area but it is an option as the swells can get to you if it is blowing.
6. From there you can go to Stock Island, just north of
Key West. There is a deep channel that will take you into great
anchoring or you can find a marina there alot cheaper than
Key West.
7. Key West. I usally anchor by
Fleming Key, I used to anchor by wisteria Island but the swells can be bad and the tourist traffic can be horrible. If you want to Moor up Key Wes has city moorinig balls on the north side of
Fleming Key for $18.00 bucks a night which includes a
shower house, and
laundry facility. You can also use the city Marina for $2.25/ft per night which is in Key West Bight, and an easy walk to everything Key West has to offer.
8. If you want to keep going, then I will go to
Marquesas Key, the best place to anchor is the south west end, there is nothing there but peace and quite. Even if the
wind is blowing you are well protected. One of my favorate places. You can also anchor of Boca Grande Key, Woman Key, or Man Key which are before
Marquesas.
9. The last stop is the
Dry Tortugas. About 40 miles west of the Marquesas. Fort Jefferson is a must see, as well as the
coral reefs and the light house.
Have fun