Marathon was great, but now it’s time to sail the Florida Keys to Tavernier Key and then to Key Biscayne!
The sail was amaaaaazing!
This is the first time we’ve been in open waters (not in a bay) and had smooth sailing! Seriously, each of our coastal and offshore sailing trips so far have had storms or active seas. But sailing in the Keys was literally a breeze!
Sailing to Tavernier Key
We’re heading to a lighthouse, but first we sail in the Florida keys to Tavernier Key, discover an engine problem, and snorkel with fish.
Tavernier Key is east of Plantation Key, and is favored by flats guides and birders who explore along the very shallow flats.
Sailing to Key Biscayne
Our plan was to tuck into Cesar Creek on the way to Key Biscayne, but we ran aground!
Yep, and not just a little mud.
This was light gravel.
Thankfully, a local boater stopped by and helped us off.
The charts showed shallow water at the entrance of Cesar Creek, and 7-8 foot water just south of the green marker 1. Well, I can tell you the 7-8 foot water was only 5.5 feet or shallower.
The locals said it’s a tricky channel with lots of shoaling, so we opted to skip Cesar Creek, and continued to Key Biscayne.
We arrived at dark and anchored behind Stiltsville to get protection from the thunderstorms that were brewing.
Seeming to float above Biscayne Bay’s shallow seagrass beds, Stiltsville has a colorful history that dates back to the 1930s, when “Crawfish Eddie Walker” built the first shack on stilts above the water. Over the years more buildings were constructed, and the area took on an aura of mystery. Accessible only by water, the area was the place to see and be seen when visiting the winter resorts on nearby Miami Beach. Stories of illegal alcohol and gambling led to several police raids on the Bikini Club and Quarterdeck Club. At its peak in 1960, there were 27 structures on the flats, but hurricanes, fires and the ravages of being in such an exposed place made every building relatively short-lived.
National Park Service, Florida
On the next day, Cadence found her home in No Name Harbor and we explored Key Biscayne, changed the zinc, cleaned the boat, visited Miami, and found out lighthouse!
Thanks for reading this far! Please drop a comment down below to share your thoughts or questions. We love to chat!
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