Coral Gables Miami Waterway depth

[Cap Morgan]

Hello to all,

Does anyone have information regarding the depth of the Coral Gables Waterway in Miami? Not seeing any depths on my NOAA map for this area and my boat draws 6’. Also, any information related to tying up there in advance of Hurricanes would also be appreciated. I’m new to this of course.

Thanks in advance!

[Reel Love]

So there is no "waterway" to Coral Cables, or a Coral Gables waterway. If you were to be going to Coral Gables, you would most likely enter the inlet at Government Cut. The controlling depth is 40' +/-. From there, you would enter the Miami River if proceeding west. The Miami River is a commercial waterway so there will be plenty of water.

There is a river/waterway south of the Miami River at Tahiti/Cocoplum that eventually leads to the Gables. You will find plenty of water, however, within a couple of miles will be a fixed bridge that you will not get under.

The entire shoreline is a residential area: privately owned. There is a marina (Cocoplum YC). The club is private.

If you are looking for a hurricane hole in the Miami area: good luck. You need to pay for a "reservation" at most places, and the costs range from $1000 and up.

The Miami River would be a better option, but it gets very crowded.

If you are in the Keys, you may find a few H-Holes in the mangroves. They will offer some protection. The closest to Miami would be Card Sound.

Hope this helps you.

[Rumrace]

Brilliant Reel Love. Really nice tour guide stuff.

[HopCar]

Reel Love covered it pretty well. Air draft would be your problem. No sail boats get past the LeJune Road bridge. There are some condo buildings with slips in the accessible part of the waterway. I think when they were built they were restricted to sailboats only to protect manatees. We all know sailboats don’t have propellers😆. The last time I went by them several years ago a lot of slips were empty. You might want to talk to them. Take a dinghy ride up the canal. It is interesting.

[s/v Moondancer]

17 or 18 years ago I put a boat drawing 6 ft in the Coral Gables waterway near Coco Plum for two hurricanes. I have not been in since 2006 and I do not know the current depths.

You enter the waterway and take the first left into a mangrove area. It is the best place I have anchored in the five hurricanes I have taken boats through.

It gets very crowded because of boats from Coconut Grove Sailing Club. The last time I spoke to the Coral Gables water police they said the did not want boats in the mangroves more than 24 hours prior to the hurricane’s arrival.

I live 6 miles south of Coco Plum overlooking a large mangrove area that appears ideal for hurricanes. Contact me and I will show you the waterway and the area I live.

[Cap Morgan]

Originally Posted by Reel Love

So there is no "waterway" to Coral Cables, or a Coral Gables waterway. If you were to be going to Coral Gables, you would most likely enter the inlet at Government Cut. The controlling depth is 40' +/-. From there, you would enter the Miami River if proceeding west. The Miami River is a commercial waterway so there will be plenty of water.

There is a river/waterway south of the Miami River at Tahiti/Cocoplum that eventually leads to the Gables. You will find plenty of water, however, within a couple of miles will be a fixed bridge that you will not get under.

The entire shoreline is a residential area: privately owned. There is a marina (Cocoplum YC). The club is private.

If you are looking for a hurricane hole in the Miami area: good luck. You need to pay for a "reservation" at most places, and the costs range from $1000 and up.

The Miami River would be a better option, but it gets very crowded.

If you are in the Keys, you may find a few H-Holes in the mangroves. They will offer some protection. The closest to Miami would be Card Sound.

Hope this helps you.

Reel,

Thank you for the info. Just a few notes. The Cocoplum waterway that you reference is indeed the one that I asked about. On my maptech map (p28) it is referred to as the Coral Gables Waterway. For the past 4 months I've been moored at Dinner Key just to the north. My understanding is that many of the boats moored where I am make a beeline for that waterway on approach of Hurricanes. Most dont have my deep draft which is why i posed the question to see if it will accomodate my 6'. Even the Brennan Channel which leads to Coconut Grove wont accomodate 6' so I must motor in to Dinner Key, around Spoils Island and then out Dinner Key Channel.

My goal is to depart South Florida in about a year and a half so just trying to survive until then.

Kind regards

[Cap Morgan]

Originally Posted by HopCar

Reel Love covered it pretty well. Air draft would be your problem. No sail boats get past the LeJune Road bridge. There are some condo buildings with slips in the accessible part of the waterway. I think when they were built they were restricted to sailboats only to protect manatees. We all know sailboats don’t have propellers😆. The last time I went by them several years ago a lot of slips were empty. You might want to talk to them. Take a dinghy ride up the canal. It is interesting.

LOL - I love it!

[Cap Morgan]

Originally Posted by s/v Moondancer

17 or 18 years ago I put a boat drawing 6 ft in the Coral Gables waterway near Coco Plum for two hurricanes. I have not been in since 2006 and I do not know the current depths.

You enter the waterway and take the first left into a mangrove area. It is the best place I have anchored in the five hurricanes I have taken boats through.

It gets very crowded because of boats from Coconut Grove Sailing Club. The last time I spoke to the Coral Gables water police they said the did not want boats in the mangroves more than 24 hours prior to the hurricane’s arrival.

I live 6 miles south of Coco Plum overlooking a large mangrove area that appears ideal for hurricanes. Contact me and I will show you the waterway and the area I live.

Moondancer,

First, thanks for all the info on CG waterway and more! How can I contact you offline?

[wtubbs]

Second that! Air draft, wonderful.