GOVERNMENT CUT TO THE BROAD CAUSEWAY BRIDGE .......Since I chose Government Cut to be the starting point for both the north and south destinations, I will repeat the commentary. If you look to the east towards Government Cut, (just south of MacArthur Causeway Bridge and just north of the Dodge Island Bridge) you can usually see the channel to Miami Beach Marina. This is a good spot from which to visit the Art Deco district in South Miami Beach. However, there's lots of motion because of frequent wakes in the channel. The channel ultimately leads to the Atlantic Ocean. Sightseeing boats navigate this channel because large cruise ships can almost always be seen at their berths along the Port of Miami. The channel has ample room so you may give the large boats a wide berth. Because of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard now patrols the channel, especially when cruise ships are in port. During high security times, boats are not allowed access to the channel. Almost immediately to the north, you will sail through the MacArthur Causeway Bridge, West Span (Vertical Clearance 65'). The Venetian Causeway Bridge (West Span) is a short distance away. A new Bascule Bridge has been built. (Clearance can be anywhere 11' to 17' depending on the tides).

  After navigating through the Venetian Causeway, West Span Channel, a turn to the east will take you to Sunset Harbor Marina. Sunset Harbor Marina is a lovely marina in a condominium complex, which used to cater to both local and transient boaters.  It is currently a private enterprise, so check before you go. Restaurants and stores can be reached by walking (a fair distance) or by bicycle. An enjoyable afternoon can be spent at the Lincoln Road Mall.

As soon as you pass to the north of the Venetian Bridge Channel, you can follow the markers to the east past the Venetian Islands to reach the Marina. However, I would strongly suggest that you call the dock master for directions as there is shoaling on both sides of the channel. Our boating club often has rendezvous at Sunset and we have found the staff to be quite accommodating.

Continuing north on the ICW, the Julia Tuttle Causeway Fixed Bridge; West Span (vertical clearance 56') will come into view. Next in line is the 79th Street Causeway Bascule Bridge (vertical clearance 25'). Just to the east of the north side of the bridge, you will see Pelican Harbor Marina. This is an inexpensive marina in which to spend the night and there is an anchorage just to the east of it. A Pelican Hospital for injured birds is on the premises and is an interesting place to visit. There is a small island with picnic facilities near the marina and it is an easy dinghy ride to it. A Ferry to the island runs on weekends. We have spent some pleasant weekends there with our club but I must caution you. Do not walk or bicycle to the west of the Marina at any time if you are unfamiliar with the area. It is OK to walk or cycle to the east during daylight hours and there are several restaurants in that direction. It is safe to stay in the marina at night because it is patrolled. This is also a station for the Marine Patrol. It is an easy sail to the Broad Causeway Bascule Bridge (vertical clearance 16' at the center) but please read the next section carefully.

Another very nice Marina in the area is North Bay Landing. (There is no web page to link to) It is a friendly place with many amenities, including a beautiful heated (in the winter) swimming pool. You can walk to a variety of restaurants. Check your cruising guide for directions to it.

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Broad Causeway to Hollywood
(Refer to Chart #11467)

It is most important to pay attention to the markers as the water level drops drastically on both sides of the channel. At the Haulover area and north, there are frequent "No Wake" areas. These are patrolled so pay strict attention. Bakers Haulover Inlet gives you access to the Atlantic Ocean but be advised that this inlet can be quite turbulent at times and can present a danger to small boats or any one who doesn't have experience in this type of situation.

A little to the north of Bakers Haulover Inlet on the ICW is Westec Haulover Marine Center We have not stayed at this marina but I mention it because from here, you can easily walk or bicycle to the Bakers Haulover Public Beach. As you continue north on the ICW, the channel narrows and there are many "No Wake" areas. As stated before, they are patrolled. Sunny Isle Bascule Bridge is next; (vertical clearance 30') then, the Golden Beach Fixed bridge (vertical clearance 65')

Right after passing under the Golden Beach Bridge, Turnberry Marina is to the west. Call the dock master for entry directions. We have stayed there with our club. It is quite expensive but the amenities are worth the cost. Approximately two tenths of a mile further north on the west side is the Waterways Marina in Adventura, 3601 NE 207th St., 305-935-4295.
This is now a privately owned Marina, but probably allow transients if there are vacant slips. The westerly turn is marked with a sign. We used to stay there. The marina is associated with the surrounding condominiums and the small Waterways Shopping Mall. There is a gourmet food market and several restaurants in the mall. Although you will see several swimming pools, they are private to the Condos. The Marina staff is trying to provide swimming facilities and they may have already done so. You can bicycle to the Adventura Shopping Mall, a large mall with major department stores.

Continuing on the ICW, the Hallandale Beach Blvd. Bascule Bridge (vertical clearance 22') is next. The area between this bridge and the Hollywood Beach Blvd. Bascule Bridge (Vertical Clearance 25') is narrow and can be quite choppy on the weekends when boat wakes bounce off of the seawalls on both sides. Immediately after the Hollywood Beach Blvd. Bridge (You are now in a No Wake area). On the west side of the channel, is the City of Hollywood Marina. When we travel north of Miami, this is a must stop for us. We often sail up there to vacation for several days. Hollywood Marina is a small quiet place to spend a few days or more. Allison, the dock master, and staff create an atmosphere of friendliness and helpfulness. Although the marina is on the west side of the ICW in Hollywood, it is within walking or bicycling distance of the Beach and the Broad Walk. There is always activity on the Broad Walk. You can eat in one of the many open air restaurants, enjoy swimming in the ocean, sun yourself on the beach or just people watch. The Broad Walk is also fun at night with frequent free concerts at the band stand (scroll to second entry) in an informal atmosphere. There is a special lane for bicycles, roller blades, or other sidewalk rental vehicles. There is also a bus stop within walking distance of the marina, where you can catch a bus to Young Circle, and the the restored downtown area with its restaurants, sidewalk cafes and shops. The Hollywood Beach area is very different from the elegance of Miami Beach or Fort Lauderdale Beach and has a personality of its own. Of course, this is our own opinion which may differ from yours, but we feel that the Hollywood Marina and vicinity is a very special place.

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Hollywood to Delray Beach
 (Refer to Chart #11467)

HOLLYWOOD TO FORT LAUDERDALE .....Continuing north from the Hollywood Beach Blvd. Bridge, you will sail through both the Hollywood Sheridan Bascule Bridge (Vertical Clearance 22')and Dania Beach Bascule Bridge (vertical clearance 22') past the city of Dania . From this point STAY ALERT You will pass the Dania Cut Off Canal, where many boats turn into or from the ICW. (We are told that this is an interesting side trip by dinghy, but we have not done it. If you are interested, consult your guide book and charts.)

As you progress on the ICW, the water becomes deeper. The last time we sailed through there, the depth was about 40' but please check your Chart for accuracy. This is because the large freighters and cruise ship boat docks are to the west. There is ample room to give this area a wide berth. Just before the Port Everglades Inlet, you will notice the Coast Guard Station to your east. It is our opinion that you should avoid navigating this section on the weekend, especially Sunday if possible. There is a lot of traffic during this time period. The wakes bounce off of the seawall creating rough waters. Coupled with the Personal Watercraft zigzagging between the boats, the large boats coming in from the ocean to Port Everglades and the captains who think the Rules of the Road are for other people, a potentially dangerous situation is created. After you pass the Coast Guard Station. you will see the inlet to the east and Port Everglades to the west. You may often see Cruise Ships, Freighters, Aircraft carriers and other large ships berthed here. It is a most interesting place but I caution you again to be on the alert for traffic. This is a Turning Basin and there is plenty of room but sometimes, especially on Sunday, it may look like the Expressway at rush hour. Remember that the Coast Guard requires that you give all of the cruise ships, etc. a wide berth.

To the north of Port Everglades, you will go through the Brooks Memorial Bascule bridge (vertical clearance 25') Almost immediately to the east is the Pier 66 Marina.   Follow the ICW a short way to Mile 1065, to a fork in the waterway. The fork to the west leads to the New River .  The New River is the major waterway of Fort Lauderdale. Many beautiful homes line the banks of this river. This is also the route to City Dockage. which is near Las Olas Blvd . and the new River Walk . The fork to the east keeps you on the ICW, which takes a turn to the east. To the south at the point where the ICW turns again to the north, Lake Sylvia comes into view. We are told that it is an excellent anchorage. Check your charts for entry information.  Raddisson B'hia Mar  Resort is to the east.

FORT LAUDERDALE TO DELRAY BEACH..... Within the next 9 miles to Pompano Beach, you will encounter 5 bridges. Las Olas Blvd. Bascule Bridge, (Vertical Clearance 31') Sunrise Blvd. Bascule Bridge, (Vertical Clearance 21') Oakland Park Bascule Bridge, (Vertical Clearance 21') Commercial Blvd. Bascule Bridge,)'and Atlantic Blvd. Bascule Bridge. (Vertical Clearance 15') If you wish to swim in the ocean, there are 2 marinas, from which you have access to the Beach. We stayed at The Sand's Harbor Marina. This is a small marina and was quite crowded during the time that we visited. We had difficulty docking because a large boat was docked in the backup area of our slip. We may have been there at a particularly busy time so I don't know if this is a normal situation for that marina. Check your chart for anchorages at Lettuce Lake or Lake Santa Barbara, We have not anchored in either of these lakes, but we have been told that they are unprotected from the many wakes of other boats on the ICW. Check Claiborne Young's " Cruising Guide to the East Coast of Florida " for directions to enter either of these lakes.

After passing under the Pompano Beach 14th Street Bascule Bridge, (Vertical clearance 15') you will reach the Hillsborough inlet opening to the ocean. Look to the east to view the Hillsborough Inlet Lighthouse. We stayed at the Lighthouse Point Marina and took the free ferry across to the east side of the waterway, where we enjoyed a dinner at Cap's Place , an historical rustic but elegant restaurant.

Continue on the ICW through the Deerfield Beach Hallandale Blvd. Bascule Bridge (Vertical Clearance 21') and the Camino Real Bascule Bridge. (Vertical clearance 9') There are several marinas and anchorages in this area but we have not investigated any of them. Please consult your Guidebook for entrances to these sites. Although expensive, Boca Raton Club & Resort has elegant facilities for large boats. Boca Raton is an interesting community which you might want to visit if you have the time.
The Boca Raton Palmetto Park Bascule Bridge (Vertical Clearance 19') is next, followed by the Spanish River Road Bascule Bridge (Vertical clearance 25') and the Linton Ave. Bascule Bridge. (Vertical clearance 27')

You are now in Delray Beach. The Public Beaches at Delray are some of the best that we have seen in South Florida. There are few marinas and those that are there are small, so be sure to make reservations well in advance. The Municipal Marina is usually full, so be sure to call first. We have stayed at the Delray Beach Yacht Club on the east side of the ICW (open to members of other clubs but available in off season) and the Delray Harbor Club Marina on the west side of the ICW (part of a condominium complex).

You will pass under the Atlantic Avenue Bridge (Vertical clearance 12 feet) and just before the Delray Beach - George Bush Bridge (Vertical clearance 9 feet), you can see Marina Delray, on the west. (We have visited Marina Delray by car but had to cancel our stay due to an uncontrolled circumstance.) The marina appears to be very nice but you will need bicycles or other transportation to go to the downtown area. There are also some reported good anchorages in the area, which you can find descriptions of in your guide book .

Continue to " North from Delray Beach to Jacksonville "

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Go to " Destinations South Index "

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