Anchorages near Miami - Deep Draft

[Bluewaters2812]

Hi folks,

Just a question for those who know the area. Where is the best place to find a free anchorage near Miami? We have 7.5 foot draft.

Need to pick up a family member but are not restricted to Miami alone. If there is/are better places to anchor nearby we could hire a car.

[Vasco]

Your best bet would be a mooring in Crandon Park Marina on Key Biscayne. You can come in at Government Cut if your mast can get under an ICW bridge or come in at Cape Florida (Biscayne Channel). Enterprise will deliver a car to the marina.

If you want a free anchorage, just anchor off Nixons on Key Biscayne.

[ShaktiGurl]

You can stay in Marine stadium just south of Govt cut. We often anchor just outside of there to get some breeze on warm days.

Crandon is a great place to stay as mentioned.

[Bluewaters2812]

Originally Posted by Vasco

Your best bet would be a mooring in Crandon Park Marina on Key Biscayne. You can come in at Government Cut if your mast can get under an ICW bridge or come in at Cape Florida (Biscayne Channel). Enterprise will deliver a car to the marina.

If you want a free anchorage, just anchor off Nixons on Key Biscayne.

Thanks, we have about 72ft so the ICW is a no go for us.

[Bluewaters2812]

Originally Posted by ShaktiGurl

You can stay in Marine stadium just south of Govt cut. We often anchor just outside of there to get some breeze on warm days.

Crandon is a great place to stay as mentioned.

Thanks for the info, we will have a look at where that is. Any idea what the approach depths are?

[ShaktiGurl]

Originally Posted by Bluewaters2812

Thanks for the info, we will have a look at where that is. Any idea what the approach depths are?

Marine stadium is just south of Govt cut and next to Rickenbacher Causeway. You should be able to get under that bridge (78ft) to get to Crandon marina as well. We typically cross the pipline/cable area and anchor inside the stadium on cool windy days and outside on warm buggy days. Depths 7-8ft at low tide but definitely shallows to pick your way through. The entrance close to the bridge is best.

However there really isn't shore access there. For that you can either go to Crandon and catch bus/taxi or we sometimes spend $20 to tie up at Miami Marina for a couple hours.

[Scott Berg]

Another vote for the Marine Stadium; we have a 78' mast; came in via the Gov't Cut and and can make it (just) under the bridge and head out via Stiltsville. Didn't' go ashore but I'm sure you could pick up / drop off @ the Marinas there. Check Active Captain for latest dingy docking info. The View of the Skyline is amazing at night; recommended!

[ShaktiGurl]

The skyline is really beautiful!

[Bluewaters2812]

Originally Posted by ShaktiGurl

Marine stadium is just south of Govt cut and next to Rickenbacher Causeway. You should be able to get under that bridge (78ft) to get to Crandon marina as well. We typically cross the pipline/cable area and anchor inside the stadium on cool windy days and outside on warm buggy days. Depths 7-8ft at low tide but definitely shallows to pick your way through. The entrance close to the bridge is best.

However there really isn't shore access there. For that you can either go to Crandon and catch bus/taxi or we sometimes spend $20 to tie up at Miami Marina for a couple hours.

Thanks for the info, I need 9 foot min to be safe.

[Bluewaters2812]

Originally Posted by ShaktiGurl

The skyline is really beautiful!

Looks really nice.

[Bluewaters2812]

I read somewhere about a small area outside Fisher Island where one can anchor but not sure whether this is possible and what the depths are etc etc?

[Bluewaters2812]

Originally Posted by Scott Berg

Another vote for the Marine Stadium; we have a 78' mast; came in via the Gov't Cut and and can make it (just) under the bridge and head out via Stiltsville. Didn't' go ashore but I'm sure you could pick up / drop off @ the Marinas there. Check Active Captain for latest dingy docking info. The View of the Skyline is amazing at night; recommended!

Yes, I see that Active Captain mentions Biscayne channel inlet as the best for deep draft. Apparently on 7 November a boater came through there and reports not seeing less than 10.2 feet. That would be fine for us.

Maybe to be safe we need to make use of No Name anchorage then?

[Cheechako]

Be very careful going into Marine Stadium. Stayed there twice with 6'5" draft. Coming out the second time ran hard aground.. couldnt get off and had to be dragged off by Sea Tow.... using the Halyard to heel the boat and bounce it across the hard sand shoal. The wierd thing is I felt I was taking the same course all 4 times in/out. I dont know exactly where that sand hump is... but it's out there....
To pick someone up maybe off Dinner Key or even over at Bill Baggs Park (no name) for free anchorages?
Biscayne Channel should be fine for you.

[Bluewaters2812]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Be very careful going into Marine Stadium. Stayed there twice with 6'5" draft. Coming out the second time ran hard aground.. couldnt get off and had to be dragged off by Sea Tow.... using the Halyard to heel the boat and bounce it across the hard sand shoal. The wierd thing is I felt I was taking the same course all 4 times in/out. I dont know exactly where that sand hump is... but it's out there....
To pick someone up maybe off Dinner Key or even over at Bill Baggs Park (no name) for free anchorages?
Biscayne Channel should be fine for you.

Yes thanks, I am very wary of shallow water lol. Having lost a rudder in deep water I don't wish to run aground in shallow water now. Had enough problems for a few years lol.

[ShaktiGurl]

Yes your depth is tough around here. No Name would be easy to do. We looked around that area between Fisher Island and Virginia Key and while the depths might be ok (7-8 ) in some spots, the depth disappears quicky and there isn't that much space. I also get the feeling ( but not sure) that anchoring overnight is discouraged.