south to
the southern tip of Miami Beach, known locally as "South Beach"
or "SoBe" to us locals. Over the last ten years, South Beach has experienced a
virtual renaissance of the arts and has become a favorite backdrop for the fashion and
film industries. The nearby "Art Deco" district is famous for its pastel,
lovingly restored landmark hotels and architecture. Stroll down Ocean Drive and
dine at a beachfront café. Or cruise on over to Lincoln Road outdoor pedestrian
mall, where an eclectic mix of shops, art galleries, restaurants and live music reflects a
truly international blend of Latin, Caribbean and European cultures. Miami Beach Marina is
conveniently located in the heart of South Beach and just a crab claw’s throw away
from Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant, the oldest eatery on Miami Beach, famous for
it’s delicious stone crabs and seafood. (They even have "take-out" stone
crabs you can bring back to your boat, to start your charter out right!) Just south of Miami Beach, Biscayne Bay offers protected
waters and a variety of interesting stops. Dinner Key
makes a great anchorage or tie up at one of several
marinas. Monty Trainer’s restaurant and bar is within walking distance as is Coconut
Grove, the most popular restaurant and shopping area in South Miami. Some of the
country’s most creative chefs have restaurants here with food styles ranging from
Floribbean and Cuban to Southwestern and Japanese. Villa
Vizcaya, a coral mansion built at the turn of the century, or the Planetarium are just a
short taxi ride away and well worth the trip. Opposite Coconut Grove, the
island of Virginia Key and Key
Biscayne offer a visit to the Miami Seaquarium and Crandon Park. The southern Tip
of Key Biscayne is Cape Florida Park, a welcome stopping area complete with beautiful
beaches, an interesting tower and lighthouse, with a view of Stiltsville - a group of stilt homes strung out along channels
in the flats off Key Biscayne.
Miami to Key Largo via Hawk Channel - Soak up the
sun and enjoy some snorkeling or diving at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. This 25
mile long preserve was established to protect the only living coral reef in the
continental United States. This is the Diving Capital of the World, so be sure to explore
some of the numerous dive sites including Carysfort Reef, The Elbow and Grecian Rocks with
its' 13’ bronze underwater statue "Christ of the Deep", a beautiful and
awesome sight. One of the worlds top Swim with the Dolphin programs is offered at Dolphins
Plus (arrange well in advance). Afterwards, dock at Port Largo Harbor for an evening of
dining and dancing if you still have some energy left! Markets, dive operators,
restaurants and shopping are within walking distance. Great restaurants include Bayside
Grill, the Fish House and Bayside Grill. For those who prefer an anchorage, try the lee
side of Rodriguez Key.
Islamorada to Duck Key - Take
time to enjoy snorkeling along the way as there are several beautiful reefs for
snorkeling, such as Conch, Davis, Pickles, Alligator and Molasses Reefs.
If you haven’t done any fishing yet, this would be a good time to try! Holiday Isle
Marina in Islamorada offers nightly entertainment, restaurants, shops and more. Nearby is
Theatre of the Sea which hosts Dolphin and Sea Lion exhibits and is always a hit with the
kids! Treasure Village and the Rain Barrel are not far away and offer unique gifts made by
local artisans. A good anchorage for lunch or in settled weather is found off Indian Key,
one of the first settlements in the Keys with interesting hiking. If you have time, dinghy
over to Lignumvitae Key to explore virgin hammocks, native species of vegetation, the
coral rock house, cisterns and windmill. Hiking is superb, especially in the winter
months. Duck Key and Marathon both offer good marinas, or you may
wish to anchor
in Boot Key Harbor with nearby restaurants, museums, shopping, golf and entertainment.
Marathon to Key West - Little Palm Island
near Newfound Harbor is a beautiful private resort. (dinner reservations are highly
recommended) Along the way, enjoy snorkeling at Looe Key National Park,
one of the most colorful and vivid of all the reefs in the Keys, or explore beautiful
Bahia Honda with lovely beaches and scenic trails. Enjoy the sunset and the scene at Key
West’s Mallory Square, then dinner at any number of excellent restaurants. People
watching, shopping and night life are just some of the activities you’ll enjoy. Visit
Hemingway’s home and the older sections of town, museums, historical buildings,
Victorian homes, Seaquariums, and the old turtle craals. The Galleon Marina is in the
heart of the Duval district, while there are municipal and private marinas as well.
Dry Tortugas - If you have plenty of time and
like adventure, you can visit the Marquesas and Woman’s Key or even
as far as Fort Jefferson and Loggerhead Key in the Dry Tortugas. There
are no marinas, no grocery stores, no water, ice or refueling spots, so you should plan
this trip well, with at least three or four days to spare. The extra effort will be well
rewarded with excellent fishing, snorkeling and exploring. Shallow flats abound with rays,
tarpon and dolphin. The surrounding crystal clear, emerald waters are home to lobster,
coral and sea life. An underwater nature trail is a must for snorkelers. Fort Jefferson is
a National Monument and park as well as a wildlife refuge. You can still tour the
abandoned fort that once held President Lincoln’s assassin, by land or by snorkeling
outside the fort's moat!
