Help please - Marinas in Miami area?

[MorwrMeic]

I am currently planning a first long trip in our 2007 Lagoon 420: from our base in North Carolina to Miami and then via Bimini Is and Berry Is to Nassau where our adult children will join us to visit North Exhumas - Staniel Cay up to Highborne Cay from 21st Dec to 30th Dec 2024. I generally sail on my own and will have two friends come with me to help me "Deliver" our boat from NC to Miami hopefully arriving in Miami Tuesday 3rd December. My wife (loves to sail on the boat but is a non-sailor) will be joining me in Miami. I want a Marina to refuel & load water and wait for a weather window to cross to the Bimini Islands. We are not liveaboards/boat really not set up for long term anchoring (e.g.no water maker, etc) but boat is mechanically, electronically and rig in great shape - so, testing out to see if we will enjoy long trip. Can you recommend a Marina in Miami to arrive at and wait for time to leave for Bahamas please? Thank you, Mike

[SailingHarmonie]

Marina space in Miami will probably give you more than a bit of sticker shock, and especially in the winter season is quite hard to come by (supply/demand/price)

But if you have the wallet, and can get space, the most convenient is Miami Beach Marina, just inside Government Cut.

Given the difficulty in finding slips, you'll likely just need to start dialing up all the places you can find and see who can fit your boat for the time you need. You might need to cast a wider net than just Miami-Dade.

Important also to know: Do you fit under a 65 foot bridge?

Honestly, you are far better off skipping Miami, and heading to Bimini directly and picking up crew there. There is a fast ferry from Fort Lauderdale that stops in Bimini and Freeport. The trip from NC to Bimini is no longer than going to Miami, and you'll save a bunch of money, and not have to sail south on the edge of the Gulf Stream. Bimini Cove Marina on South Bimini or any of a bunch of marinas on North Bimini are going to be nicer places to wait for crew than Miami, in my opinion.

[massnspace]

When I did this same trip I stayed on a mooring ball at Coconut Grove. Cheap and available, and had a good dinghy dock. But of course this is not a dock but just a ball.

It was a bit uncomfortable for me in a smaller monohull due to the large fetch to the east, but on a cat I think it would be much smoother.

I also spent the last two days at anchor just off Bill Baggs State Park on Key Biscayne. Waiting for good weather to cross. There is a restaurant in the bight there where you can dinghy into. Then very early on a magical morning when the weather moderated I joined a large group of sailboats who were also waiting, heading east across the stream…

[Cheechako]

Much of Miami is inaccessible by sailboat due to non opening bridges. Maybe go past Miami to Biscayne Bay

[GordMay]

Miami Beach Marina
➥ https://miamibeachmarina.com/

Map ➥ https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mi...oASAFQAw%3D%3D

[Leadfree]

The moorings at Coconut Grove are fairly untenable especially in the stiff east winds that deliver chop across the open fetch, and I am in a catamaran. However, there are marinas in that area that may have space.

Nothing will be inexpensive in Miami, IF you can find a spot.

As was said earlier, get on the phone and call all of the marinas but you will have to look at ActiveCaptain or a chart and be sure you can get there bc the bridge heights will be limiting. The only one I know anything about is Miamarina, they generally have some transient space but I dont know how long you can stay there
https://www.miami.gov/Parks-Public-P...ina-at-Bayside

The anchorage at Biscayne mentioned above is aka No Name Harbor, and all along that general area is good holding although you will be waked a lot, it's a weekend party zone. However it is likely the most popular spot to wait for weather near Miami. I'd go there long before I took a ball at Coconut Grove.

Our MO for crossing is further south than Miami. We do all our last minute stuff at Key Largo, and then wait at Pumpkin Key and cross from Angelfish Creek. Much better angle to Bimini. You may want to think about waiting further south so as not to have to suffer from the current, which is not insigificant...

Suggest you get familiar with ActiveCaptain, lots of good information there.

[MorwrMeic]

Thank you everyone - really helpful. As a result I am going to try and book a Marina around West Palm Beach/lake Worth Inlet (?) to arrive from North Carolina: any recommendations for a Marina to accommodate mt Lagoon 420 Catamaran - I will need Diesel Fuel & water? thanks again! Mike

[Leadfree]

https://activecaptain.garmin.com/en-US/Map

[Cheyne]

I would pry go a little further north and look at Fort Pierce. Either Harbortown or the Municiple Marina can accomedate your Lagoon. We have spent time at both. Like mentioned above not cheap, but could be easier to get into. I know last year both were booked full already when we got there in middle November.

Cheyne

[fcftampa]

try Crandon Marina 305-361-1281, they may have transient dock or mooring. The do have fuel and water.
Coconut Grove moorings come in two flavors: Dinner Key Marina (which may also have room @transient dock),
or
Coconut Grove Sailing Club Moorings which are way more calm than the ones referred elsewhere in this post.

[Leadfree]

Originally Posted by fcftampa

Coconut Grove moorings come in two flavors: Dinner Key Marina (which may also have room @transient dock),
or
Coconut Grove Sailing Club Moorings which are way more calm than the ones referred elsewhere in this post.

Does the sailing club ever have availability? I'd always been given to understand that they are perpetually filled up.

[fcftampa]

Does the sailing club ever have availability? I'd always been given to understand that they are perpetually filled up.

They have some transient moorings but in very high demand; particularly around Bahamian migrations and Boat show times.
As for permanent moorings...well... as all things Miami: there's a list for each category (sizes or trimaran's).
My assesment is that the list is pure B.S., rules are to be bent, and well, I'll leave it there...The larger the boat the truer this i$.

[HopCar]

Miami Beach Marina, good restaurant, marine store, close to lots of good restaurants including Joe's Stone Crab. Ronny and Manny in the marine store can get you anything you need. Tell them Parks sent you.

[WantTo]

Dinner Key Marina or mooring field. They have a water taxi to/from the mooring field if you don't want to use your dinghy. Great laundromat, good restaurants and grocery stores nearby. We stayed there in 2013 and again earlier this year.

[Nickodemus]

Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie

Marina space in Miami will probably give you more than a bit of sticker shock, and especially in the winter season is quite hard to come by (supply/demand/price)

But if you have the wallet, and can get space, the most convenient is Miami Beach Marina, just inside Government Cut.

Given the difficulty in finding slips, you'll likely just need to start dialing up all the places you can find and see who can fit your boat for the time you need. You might need to cast a wider net than just Miami-Dade.

Important also to know: Do you fit under a 65 foot bridge?

Honestly, you are far better off skipping Miami, and heading to Bimini directly and picking up crew there. There is a fast ferry from Fort Lauderdale that stops in Bimini and Freeport. The trip from NC to Bimini is no longer than going to Miami, and you'll save a bunch of money, and not have to sail south on the edge of the Gulf Stream. Bimini Cove Marina on South Bimini or any of a bunch of marinas on North Bimini are going to be nicer places to wait for crew than Miami, in my opinion.

There will be sticker shock also at Staniel Cay and Highbourne Cay! Highbourne is currently $5-$6 a foot daily and $85 a day for 50 amp electric.