Anchorages & marinas in Key West

[Tami]

I had a request for info on anchorages & marinas in Key West. I put together a list of the marinas in the area on SaltySailors. I also included a map with anchorages listed.

Here's the link: Marinas in Key West

[garrett stone]

i have been in south fl. for five years now and i still get culture shock when i see the prices of dockage here.seems as though a working man would need 3 jobs just to stay in a decent marina.thats how i ended up working at the marina i am in now-simply ran out of money.i guess what i need to do is put a higher premium on my labor -if anyone will pay it! i have seen an ancorage off of mallory square and also from schooner wharf.is that the one you mentioned that was bumpy with poor holding?any reports of theives or law enforcement problems.also what in the world happened to the old houseboat row area near the airport?

[Tami]

If you watch the KW Citizen sometimes private owners offer slips at a discount rate. We rent from a private owner at Sunset Marina for a lot less that the marinas ask.

[Thane Gilliam]

This post is in answer to a question posed to me by Luis...

Hi Thane, We are thinking on sailing this Christmas to Key West from Key Largo, Dec 20 till Jan 1, any advice? never been in the Key West on a sailboat, any marinas I should make reservations that are reasonable priced? do you have a favorite rout...

Luis,

There are many beautiful anchorages on the way down to Key West. When we made the trip up to Miami we took the inside route through Biscayne Bay and enjoyed it very much. I understand Rodriguez Key is a great anchorage though we have never visited. A stop in Marathon at Boot Key Harbor is suggested although I would anchor at the entrance to the harbor and dinghy in to visit Burdines, Dockside and take a look at the City Marina facilities. A night at Bahia Honda state park would be great and we also anchored in Newfound Harbor and found that to be a comfortable overnight spot.

There are no reasonably priced marinas in Key West. I would plan on anchoring off of Fleming Key or staying in the city mooring field. The marinas on Stock Island are a little more realistically priced but then when you figure in the taxi ride downtown then that blows it. Key West does have a servicable bus system but it stops running pretty early.

Good luck with your stay and let us know if we can help...Thane