We strongly recommend that, if you are bare-boating,
you carry an official marine chart with the markers,
nav aids and depths clearly indicated; these are shallow
waters where going aground, dinting props and bending
shafts are every-day occurrences. If you do not have
the navigation skills to read a chart accurately,
or the local knowledge to operate a boat safely, please
use a captain who is well experienced in these waters.
Please click on one of the Itineraries below:
Miami Half Day
Miami Full Day
Miami Long Weekend
Miami overnight to the
Upper Keys
Miami to the Berry
islands
Nassau to the Exumas
Georgetown and the Out Islands
Half Day Cruise in
Miami ( 4 Hours)
Biscayne Bay Route:
1. If you are leaving from a marina North of Downtown,
head South and under the Rickenbacker Causeway bridge.
As you come out under the bridge, head South keeping
Key Biscayne on your port side, use your chart to
keep well away from the shoals on your left as you
go by Key Biscayne. Check out President Nixon's House
on Key Biscayne, (the one with the Flag and the Heliport)
and his next door neighbor and friend, Bebe Rebozo's
mansion. There is a slightly choppy anchorage (specially
on weekends) in front of Nixon's house where you can
stop for a picnic lunch if you have one with you.
You can also use a dinghy, if you have one to take
a short run to the sandbar at low tide which is fun.
If you do not have a picnic with you you can always
duck into No-Name Harbor just around the corner (check
your chart and don't run right into the sand-bar)
where there is a great Cuban Restaurant. It is possible
to anchor here or tie up alongside the Restaurant.
2. From the Nixon place, you can look for the Biscayne
Channel on your chart and follow the markers through
the middle of Stiltsville. This is a Miami Landmark;
built in the 1920's by rich Miamians as weekend party
places, these houses on stilts and have defied many
hurricanes, including the direct hit from Andrew.
There are seven houses left, still privately owned
and used as party venues by the rich and famous.
3. From Stiltsville, turn around and cross the Bay
Westwards towards Dinner Key. When you get close to
the Dinner Key Channel marker, follow the mainland
coastline around towards the South, pass the old Vizcaya
mansion, now a museum, that was built by the founder
of the International Harvester machinery empire, then
around and back to the Rickenbacker causeway and back
to your marina.
Homes of the Rich and Famous Route:
1. Star Island is where many movie and singing stars
and celebrities have their Miami homes. Most of the
major party boats and day cruise captains will bring
you here. Located close to Miami Beach, just North
of Miami Beach Marina and South of Sunset Harbour
marina, opposite the Flagler memorial, this island
is called home by Gloria Estefan, Sylvester Stallone,
Rosie O'Donnell and many others. The mansions are
fabulous and the setting is gorgeous, definitely a
must for visitors who are passing through our beautiful
city.
2. West of Star Island there are two smaller islands,
Hibiscus and Palm, the former originally owner by
notorious gangster, Al Capone. These are now luxury
waterfront homes with their own dockage facilities.
Venetian causeway and Venetian isles are also a man-made
paradise for millionaires and celebrities.
3. Fisher Island, just next to and Southeast of the
Port of Miami, is a very expensive place to live,
accessible only by ferry, and founded by the same
Mr. Fisher of General Motors fame. He was one of the
founders and original developers of Miami Beach. The
structures are Miami Tuscan style with Oprah Winfrey
being one of the many celebrity owners on this island.
4. The western shore of the Miami Beach peninsula
also has it;s share of celebrity mansions with homes
owned by JLo, Captain Burke of Windjammer Cruise fame,
and many others.
Full Day on the
water in Miami:
1. Follow the Biscayne Bay half day route above.
Instead of cutting across towards Dinner Key after
visiting Stiltsville, continue South about 15 miles
from the southern tip of Key Biscayne to the Featherbed
Banks. There are now two options: either stay close
to Soldier Key and into Boca Chita harbor and spend
a couple of hours hanging out there, OR go through
the Featherbed Bank to Elliott Key. There is a clearly
marked channel (part of the ICW) that takes you through
the shallow banks and you then bear left towards Elliott
after clearing the bank. You will now be in Biscayne
National Park and there is a Park Ranger who hangs
out on Elliott Key and patrols regularly. The water
here is very shallow but very clear and it is ideal
for snorkeling and swimming. PWC's are not allowed
but you can go ashore in a dinghy and explore Elliott
Key. Return to Miami in the evening.
Long Weekend
on the water in Miami:
1. Do the half-day and full-day thing described above
- but do not return the same day and anchor out at
Elliott Key and overnight there.
2. The following morning, pick up the ICW channel
again and head South towards Pumpkin Key and continue
South on the ICW und the Card Sound Bridge, following
the marked channel to Jewfish Creek bridge that opens
on request. On the other side of the bridge, you will
find Gilbert's which is a great restaurant, and a
good anchorage for the second night.
3. If the weather permits, you can retrace your steps
back to Pumpkin Key and cut through Angelfish creek
to the "outside" (Hawk Channel) and return
to Miami via Hawk Channel and into the Port of Miami
following the channel markers. If the weather does
not permit this, simply retrace your steps back past
Elliott Key and Biscayne Bay and back to Miami on
the "inside".
From Miami
to the Upper Florida Keys
(Nice relaxing 7 Days; about 160 nautical miles)
1. DAY ONE. Leave Miami, using the ICW route South
and cross Biscayne Bay heading for the Feather Bank
channel; anchor at Elliot Key (part of the National
Park system); relax at Elliott Key swimming, snorkeling,
exploring the Park or just hanging out. Fishing persons
will love Sands Cut on an incoming tide.
2.DAY TWO. Proceed South, continuing the ICW route
through the Cutter Bank channel to Pumpkin Key, cross
over to the ocean side of the Keys chain through Angelfish
Creek. Go south on Hawk Channel to Marina del Mar
on Key Largo or anchor on the lee side of Rodriguez
Key.
3. DAY THREE. Relax in Key Largo, there's a lot to
do here from diving or snorkeling in the John Pennekamp
Coral Reef State Park, swimming or hanging out the
two pools in the Marina, and dining out at one of
the great restaurants on Key Largo.
4. DAY FOUR. Head South on Hawk Channel to Snake
Creek, and cross back over to Florida Bay on the inside
of the Keys chain. (The Snake Creek Bridge will open
on demand.) Follow the ICW markers North East and
then South East to Cowpens Bay where you can either
anchor or tie up at Islamorada Municipal Marina. There
is a great new swimming pool at this marina and the
flats fishing is superb on Florida Bay.
5. DAY FIVE. Tear your self away from Islamorada
and back to Snake Creek, under the bridge and through
to the Hawk Channel side and go South to the Channel
Five bridge. Actually you can go down on the inside
as well and you wind up at the same place. Anchor
in Long Key Bight or proceed further South to Duck
Key where you can pull into Hawks Key resort and Marina.
Here you are a hop-skip and a jump away from Marathon,
in the Middle Keys. There is fine dining , three good
marine stores and several shipyards. (hopefully you
won't need one..!!)
6. DAY SIX. Time to turn back; we suggest you take
the scenic route and go back on the inside. You should
be able to reach Pumpkin Key or even Elliott Key in
one whole well traveled day. You can overnight in
either place. If you don't quite make it, anchor anywhere
nice along the way (outside the channel please..!!)
7. DAY SEVEN. Take your time getting back across
Biscayne Bay , check out Stiltsville where rich Miami
residents still play on long weekends, and ogle Nixon's
Key Biscayne residence, spend the night at No Name
Harbour and roll back into Miami the following day.
SUMMER ONLY
From Miami
to The Bahamas
(Quite a lot of sailing in 7 Days, about 250 Nautical
Miles)
1. DAY ONE. Leave Miami and cross the Gulf Stream,
heading East for Gun Key. Overnight at Honeymoon Harbour
on the North end of Gun Key or go through the cut
and anchor behind Gun Key on the North East side or
tie up at Cat Key Marina. OR continue East across
the Banks and overnight anywhere on the Banks outside
of the main channel route.
2. DAY TWO. Get up early and head East towards the
North East channel Marker and move off the Banks into
deeper water and head for Chub Cay, the southernmost
Cay in the Berry Islands. Anchor close in to Chub
or tie up at Chub Key Marina.
3. DAY THREE. Continue East gradually turning North
past Bird Cay and then Whale Cay and up past Bond
Cay to Little Harbour Cay. There is a good anchorage
on the inside of Little Harbour Cay. This is diving,
snorkeling and fishing paradise; The water is crystal
clear and unbelievable.
4. DAY FOUR. If you decided against spending the
rest of your life in Little Harbour, you can continue
Northwards past Holmes Cay and Great Harbour Cay,
you are actually going to spend the next overnight
at Great Harbour but on the other side of the island
and the only way to get there is by using a rather
circuitous route around Great and Little Stirrup Cays.
Anchor or tie up at Great Harbour Marina.
5. DAY FIVE. Spend the day on Great Harbour Cay,
diving or snorkeling or simply hanging out.
6. DAY SIX. Great Harbour Key to Bimini.
7. DAY SEVEN. Spend the day in Bimini taking in all
of Hemingway's old haunts, go Bill-fishing with the
pros and have a couple at the Compleat Angler when
you get back. Return to Miami the following day.
From Nassau to
The Exumas
(Nice relaxing 7 Days, about 160 Nautical Miles)
1. DAY ONE. Leave Nassau Harbour by the East entrance,
pass the Porgee rock and head SE across the White
and Yellow Banks, watching for coral heads, towards
Allan Cay; this is about a 35 NM run and be sure to
arrive at Allan Cay with the sun still up - as a matter
of fact, plan to arrive everywhere in the Bahamas
in the early afternoon. It's very shallow and you
are running on Visual here..!! Overnight between Allan's
Cay and Leaf Cay, there's a strong current here so
learn to put out two anchors in the Bahamian style.
You will find some interesting friends on Allan's
Cay, the place is a protected Iguana habitat and there
are literally hundreds of large Iguanas everywhere.
Great place and very protected.
2. DAY TWO. Leave Allan's Cay and retrace your steps
to the Western side of the islands standing off about
5 miles from the chain to allow for shoals. Head South
East to wards Norman Cay, head into the anchorage
and overnight here at Anchor. If you prefer a Marina,
there's a great one on Highbourne Cay, the cay with
the Batelco tower on it. On Norman check out the wreck
of a old drug-running airplane shot down by the authorities.
It sits in about 3 feet of water, have your picture
taken in the cockpit..!!
3. DAY THREE. Norman Cay to Hawksbill Cay, one of
the most attractive cays in the Exuma Cays Land and
Sea Park. It is uninhabited and has several beautiful
beaches on the Western side. You can anchor here.
4. DAY FOUR. Up anchor and head for Compass Cay with
its bold white cliffs and sweeping beach on the South
end. There is a Marina here that is quite comfortable
and you can also anchor off Fowl Cay.
5. DAY FIVE. Head SE towards Staniel Cay; there is
a Marina and Yacht Club here with re-fueling facilities
and a well renowned bar..!!; but you can also pick
up a mooring off the Club Thunderball. This is where
the James Bond movie, Thunderball, was filmed; the
diving is quite spectacular.
6. DAY SIX. Time to head back, and since you are
going to try and do in two days what took you five,
you cannot spend all that time swimming and snorkeling.
So head back to Highbourne Cay to overnight.
7. DAY SEVEN. Pick up speed here and head across
the Banks to Porgee Rock and tuck your self into West
Bottom Harbour on Rose Island for the night. It's
about an hour to Nassau Harbour from here.
Tracking Columbus -
The Bahamas Out-Islands from San Salvador to Crooked
Island.
(Fly into Georgetown in the Bahamas - Longish sail,
lots of Blue Water, hold on to your hat and bring
a copy of Columbus' log-book or "Diario"
with you)
1. DAY ONE. Leave Georgetown early by the Southern
Entrance and head East towards the tip of Cape Sta.
Maria, then on past Conception Island until you reach
San Salvador. Anchor off Cockburn Town, on the lee
side of the island or tie up at Riding Rock Marina
which now has 7 slips. We believe the controlling
depth to enter the harbour is now 6.5 feet at low
water. The anchorage is not that great so if you can
get into the marina so much the better. There is a
range to guide you in. Arrive early.
2. DAY TWO. Spend the day here. On San Salvador you
can check out all the important Columbian stops such
as the simple white cross that marks Columbus' landing
place and the impressive monument on the other side
of the island. Spend the day here, the sheer historical
significance is awesome.
3. DAY THREE. Leave early and head South West to
Rum Cay, this island was originally named Santa Maria
de la Concepcion by Columbus and was his second stop
in the "Indies". Be careful entering the
reef, it's pretty shallow, but there are usually some
white markers. You can stay at Sumner Point Marina
or simply anchor out behind the reef, go ashore in
the dinghy and have a few beers at Toby's Bar or Kay's.
Not much going on here except for some excellent diving
on the wreck of the HMS Conqueror and about 60 wonderful
Bahamian people to chat with.
4. DAY FOUR. Leave early and head South West to Clarencetown
on Long Island, Long Island was named Fernandina by
Columbus although he bypassed this harbour on his
way down, it's definitely worth a visit. You can either
tie up at at the Flying Fish Marina or anchor out
in the lee of Strachan Cay. Be careful going in and
out of this harbour in a blow. Just as a note of interest,
when Columbus left Rum Cay, he headed basically West
to Cape Santa Maria and around the Cape to Calabash
Bay where he anchored. You can rent a small car or
moped in Clarencetown and visit this area including
Stella Maris Resort and Marina . There are two magnificent
old churches in Clarencetown, these are St. Paul's
Anglican Church and St. Peter's Catholic Church, both
designed by Father Jerome an architect and religious
figure well known and respected in the Bahamas.
5. DAY FIVE. Leave early and head East to Bird Rock
on Crooked Island. (Columbus named this island Isabela,
after the Queen of Spain). Head South down the lee
shore of Crooked Island to French Wells where the
Admiral anchored, traded and ate a few "Hutias"
the original rodent-like fauna of the Bahamas. Anchor
in the lee of Gun Point and if you're a fisherman,
DO go after the fattest bone fish and the meanest
Tarpon.
6.DAY SIX. Leave extra early, head North back towards
Long island and Cape Sta. Maria. go around the Cape
and anchor in Calabash Bay. This was Columbus' third
stop after San Salvador and Rum Key. Relax on your
last day before heading back to George town.
7. DAY SEVEN. Head due West towards Georgetown and
enter the harbour using the Southern Entrance.
Tracking Columbus - The Bahamas Out-Islands from
San Salvador to Crooked Island.
(Fly into Georgetown in the Bahamas - Longish sail,
lots of Blue Water, hold on to your hat and bring
a copy of Columbus' log-book or "Diario"
with you)
1. DAY ONE. Leave Georgetown early by the Southern
Entrance and head East towards the tip of Cape Sta.
Maria, then on past Conception Island until you reach
San Salvador. Anchor off Cockburn Town, on the lee
side of the island or tie up at Riding Rock Marina
which now has 7 slips. We believe the controlling
depth to enter the harbour is now 6.5 feet at low
water. The anchorage is not that great so if you can
get into the marina so much the better. There is a
range to guide you in. Arrive early.
2. DAY TWO. Spend the day here. On San Salvador you
can check out all the important Columbian stops such
as the simple white cross that marks Columbus' landing
place and the impressive monument on the other side
of the island. Spend the day here, the sheer historical
significance is awesome.
3. DAY THREE. Leave early and head South West to
Rum Cay, this island was originally named Santa Maria
de la Concepcion by Columbus and was his second stop
in the "Indies". Be careful entering the
reef, it's pretty shallow, but there are usually some
white markers. You can stay at Sumner Point Marina
or simply anchor out behind the reef, go ashore in
the dinghy and have a few beers at Toby's Bar or Kay's.
Not much going on here except for some excellent diving
on the wreck of the HMS Conqueror and about 60 wonderful
Bahamian people to chat with.
4. DAY FOUR. Leave early and head South West to Clarencetown
on Long Island, Long Island was named Fernandina by
Columbus although he bypassed this harbour on his
way down, it's definitely worth a visit. You can either
tie up at at the Flying Fish Marina or anchor out
in the lee of Strachan Cay. Be careful going in and
out of this harbour in a blow. Just as a note of interest,
when Columbus left Rum Cay, he headed basically West
to Cape Santa Maria and around the Cape to Calabash
Bay where he anchored. You can rent a small car or
moped in Clarencetown and visit this area including
Stella Maris Resort and Marina . There are two magnificent
old churches in Clarencetown, these are St. Paul's
Anglican Church and St. Peter's Catholic Church, both
designed by Father Jerome an architect and religious
figure well known and respected in the Bahamas.
5. DAY FIVE. Leave early and head East to Bird Rock
on Crooked Island. (Columbus named this island Isabela,
after the Queen of Spain). Head South down the lee
shore of Crooked Island to French Wells where the
Admiral anchored, traded and ate a few "Hutias"
the original rodent-like fauna of the Bahamas. Anchor
in the lee of Gun Point and if you're a fisherman,
DO go after the fattest bone fish and the meanest
Tarpon.
6.DAY SIX. Leave extra early, head North back towards
Long island and Cape Sta. Maria. go around the Cape
and anchor in Calabash Bay. This was Columbus' third
stop after San Salvador and Rum Key. Relax on your
last day before heading back to George town.
7. DAY SEVEN. Head due West towards Georgetown and
enter the harbour using the Southern Entrance.
