boating on florida waterways is based on the personal experiences of the author.
Boating on Florida Waterways
BOATING DESTINATIONS
(Miami--South to Jewfish Creek)
This section will cover guidelines for navigating south on the Florida Waterways, the majority of routes that we have actually sailed. Underlined words are links to related pages along with personal comments.
REMEMBER--Navigation Marker numbers often change.
Government Cut to Dinner Key
( Refer to Chart: 11465)
All courses set out work for us - - - You MUST check and verify your own course.GOVERNMENT CUT TO BAYSIDE.....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.
Continuing south along the ICW, you will sail under the Dodge Island Bridges.The first bridge,(Vertical clearance 65'), and the second, The Railroad bridge which is usually open. but has a 22' vertical clearance when closed. See photo left .
We enjoy stopping at Miamarina at Bayside , located in the Bayside Market Place . either for an afternoon or evening of dining and shopping or for an overnight stay. Bayside Market Place is an interesting sight, when viewed at night from the marina. You can listen to free concerts, shop, take guided boat tours, etc. (Most locals call Miamarina, Bayside Marina but the official name is Miamarina) Many local tours originate here and it is within walking distance of downtown Miami and Metro Rail.
THE MIAMI RIVER TO DINNER KEY..... Continuing south, you might want to take a side trip up the Miami River. This is a working river and you will possibly see freighters going in bound or out. We
frequent this river often when we have the need of a boat yard. There are no overnight facilities or anchorages that we know of. It is a straight route but you will encounter several bridges. Closed bridge clearances, starting at the mouth of the river (see photo to the right) are Brickell Ave. Bridge(vertical Clearance 27'), Metro Rail Bridge...(fixed 75'), Miami Ave Bridge, (Vertical Clearance27') S.W. 2nd Ave. Bridge (They are almost finished rebuilding a higher bridge), I 95(fixed 75'), S.W. 1st St. Bridge (Vertical Clearance 11'), Flagler St. Bridge (Vertical Clearance25'), N.W. 5th St. Bridge (Vertical Clearance 12'), N.W. 12th Ave. Bridge (Vertical Clearance17'), N.W. 17th Ave .Bridge(Vertical Clearance 17') and N.W. 27th Ave. Bridge (Vertical clearance 18'). Next there will be a railroad bridge with a clearance of 6'. It is unnecessary to go through this bridge because there is a dam shortly after it and you can go no further .PLEASE note, that whatever clearance is given, ALWAYS check the clearance table posted by each bridge. Also, the bridges open on signal except during peak hours when there are restrictions. The river is alive and interesting. It is worth a side trip, time allowing, but do be careful to give the commercial traffic a wide berth.
The ICW narrows after the Dodge Island Bridge for a short distance. (Believe the No Wake signs. The area is patrolled.)You will skirt Claughton island where many high rise condos have been built in recent years. As you continue on the ICW towards the north side of Rickenbacker Causeway Bridge, you will pass an anchorage area where locals and transients used to spend the night. This anchorage was called the Marine Stadium Anchorage by the locals because this was the location of the Miami Marine Stadium before Hurricane Andrew destroyed it. Unfortunately, The Miami City Commission has now ruled this area as a No Anchoring Zone. (I mention this because many viewers may have overnighted there in the past and may not be aware of this new ruling).
Sail under the Rickenbacker Causeway bridge. (Clearance fixed at 65')
From here on, be on the lookout for Porpoise They are often seen in groups. Sometimes they jump and put on a show for you. They will swim close to the boats and are fun to watch. Even though they are a common sight to us, we get as excited each time we see them as we did the very first time.There are several choices that you can make at this time.
CRANDON PARK..... You might want to divert from the ICW east to Crandon Park Marina On Key Biscayne, where you can dine at Sundays on the Bay. From here you can bicycle to the Miami Seaquarium or take a longer ride to the Crandon Park Beach. If you prefer to anchor, check out Hurricane Harbor and No Name Harbor on your chart. These anchorages are sometimes crowded on the weekends when local boaters make use of them. They are often used as a starting place for a trip to the Bahamas. A fee is charged for overnight and daytime anchoring at No Name Harbor. No Name Harbor is at Cape Florida, (The southern end of Key Biscayne) From here you can see and perhaps explore the Cape Florida Lighthouse.
DINNER KEY..... Dinner Key Marina is an excellent stopover if you wish to spend time in Coconut Grove You can either walk or cycle to the heart of the Grove where you may eat, shop, or just enjoy the ambiance of Coco Walk, The Coconut Grove Playhouse, and the Barnacle State Historic Site It's also fun to sit at an outside table of one of the numerous sidewalk cafes and "People Watch."
Dinner Key to Jewfish Creek
(Refer to Charts #11465, 11451 and 11463)
All courses set out work for us - - - You MUST check and verify your own course.DINNER KEY TO ELLIOT KEY..... As you continue south you will notice that the visibility of the water becomes very clear. On calm days, you may even see the fish. (A depth meter is highly recommended) If you wish to go to Key Largo without making any stops, proceed to Featherbed Banks, through Markers Lighted Green #3, Red #4, Lighted Red #6 & Green #5 on the ICW. Otherwise sail to Markers Lighted Red #2 and Green #1, which will take you to the east side of the bay.(You can still proceed south to Key Largo from here) Regardless, no matter which route you use, be cautious. Watch the markers at all times because there are many shoals and it is easy to become grounded. Also, there are stiff fines if you are grounded in the Biscayne National Park and damage the bay bottom.
If you wish to stop at Boca Chita for the night, (see photo at left) follow this route:
Sail through East Featherbeds (Markers 1 & 2).Continue on an approximate course towards the south end of Boca Chita until you pick up the floating Channel Markers which take you into Boca Chita Cove.Be sure to read the water carefully (If you click this link, scroll to "Why You Should Learn to Read Water Color") because shallow spots are common. Access is easy for most medium draft boats, but it is recommended that boats with deep drafts come in at half tide or better. It is important to refer to the chart of the area of Biscayne Bay leading to Biscayne National Park and Boca Chita (Chart# 11465).
Boca Chita is one of the small Picturesque islands that comprise Biscayne National Park It is a favorite place for local and transient boaters to visit for an afternoon of picnicking or an extended stay. Sea wall Dockage is provided in a protected cove on a first come basis. Daytime dockage is free but a fee of $15.00 per night is charged to those that stay after 6:00 P.M. Seniors with Golden Eagle passes pay $7.50 a night.
Walk up the winding staircase in the light house (See photo below) to see
one of the most spectacular views available of Biscayne Bay and the surrounding areas. If you are boating in the South Florida Area, you don't want to miss Boca Chita Key. You may have already guessed that Boca Chita is our FAVORITE destination in the Miami Dade County Area.
If you prefer an anchorage, continue through Markers Lighted Green #3, Red #2 & Red #4 to Sand's Bight at the North end of Sand's Key. This is a favorite anchoring spot for local boaters so you will often be able to locate it from seeing other boats anchored there. NOTICE: You must consult your chart before attempting entry. (Many boats are grounded when going through the featherbeds but if you watch your depths, be careful to go through the markers and watch your course, you shouldn't have any trouble.)On a clear day you should be able to read the water. (If you click this link, scroll to "Why You Should Learn to Read Water Color") You are still in Biscayne National Park and if you wish to visit Elliot Key, the major island of the park and have more than a 3' draft, you are advised to anchor out and dinghy in. If not, you can enter the harbor and dock if space is available. There are rustic camping sites on both Boca Chita and Elliot Key.
ELLIOT KEY TO CARD SOUND BRIDGE.....To go south on the ICW without a side trip is 196 degrees from Rickenbacker Bridge to the West Featherbed lighted Marker #3. Go through the short West Featherbeds Cut and continue on a course of 190º until you reach the Red Lighted Marker #8. This is the start of Cutter Bank, a long narrow channel which ends at Lighted Red Marker #14. Marker #8 is quite difficult to spot when traveling south so you might want to use your binoculars. When you get to Marker #8, change course to 218º magnetic to reach Lighted Red Marker #10. There is a fair distance between #8 & #10 and in cloudy conditions #10 might be hard to spot. Towards the east, you will see three cuts leading to the Atlantic Ocean. Caesar's Creek, Broad Creek & Angelfish Creek. Caesar's Creek should only be navigated by VERY SHALLOW draft boats and by those with local knowledge. We have not personally navigated it nor Broad Creek so I will decline from giving any other instructions about those two.
To reach Angelfish Creek, change to a course of approximately 184º from lighted Red marker #14 on the ICW to Lighted Red marker #12 to the S.E. This is the entrance to Angel Fish Creek. Angelfish Creek can accommodate most deeper draft boats but sometimes shoaling occurs. It is probably a good idea to stay in the center of the channel when going through. At this point, you can sail to the Florida Keys via Hawk's Channel in the Atlantic Ocean but if you choose this route, you MUST read the water carefully as you will go over reef patches which might cause shallow spots. You will also reach John Pennekamp State Park, an underwater park where you can view tropical fish, wrecks, and other under water items of interest. However, since we usually don't sail on Hawk's Channel, I would suggest that if you wish to continue down Hawk's Channel, you consult your chart for further directions.Back at Lighted Red Marker #14 on the ICW, continue south on a course of 230º magnetic. You are now in Card Sound and if you look to the east, you will see Pumpkin Key. This is a VERY popular anchorage for Locals and Transients alike. Since it is surrounded by deep water, one can anchor on either side, depending upon the wind. (Check your charts for entry)On the ICW continue on your course to Lighted Green Marker #17.
The markers now are all easy to sight, so follow them through Card Sound Bridge (Clearance fixed at 65') to Lighted Head Marker, which is on the south side of Card Sound Bridge.(see photo to the right.)
CARD SOUND BRIDGE TO JEWFISH CREEK.... At 193 degrees, it is a straight
run between lighted red marker #26 and lighted green marker #29, with plenty of deep water to Jewfish Creek. From Marker #29, navigate into the creek. It is a winding scenic channel, lined with mangroves. At the end of the creek, you will come to Jewfish Creek Bascule Bridge. (see photo to the left)(It only has an 11' clearance and has scheduled openings.)
Continue to " From Jewfish Creek to Key West "
Back to " Destinations South Index "
Go to " Destinations North Index "
Other Boating on Florida Waterways Links
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