Except for the occasional -- but becoming far too regular -- hurricane threat, living in South Florida is pretty close to living in paradise.  We've got warm tropical weather, we've got the most extensive living coral reef system in North American waters and the third largest system in the world, and we've got the beautiful Florida Keys as our backyard playground. 

A road trip from Miami to Key Largo is a short one hour jaunt across either the scenic Card Sound Bridge or the beautiful watery wilderness of the "twenty-mile" stretch.  The view out the car window along either of these two routes is spectacular, but it pales in comparison to the vista when making the same trip by boat!   I made the trip this past weekend.

We loaded up the boat early Friday morning and departed from the Matheson Hammock Marina in Miami.  The trip to upper Key Largo is approximately 30 nautical miles, depending on which route you decide to take.  You essentially have two choices: 1) the ocean route, or 2) the Intercoastal route. 

When the seas are calm, the ocean route is definitely the preferred way to go if you are interested in getting in a few dives along the way.  Along this route are some of the most awesome shallow-water dive spots in South Florida.  You'll find wrecks, beautiful coral reefs, and an abundance of marine life.  Exit Matheson and head due east out the Biscayne channel (check out historic Stiltsville as you pass through the channel) towards Fowey Rocks.  As you make your way south along the east side of Elliott Key, you'll come across the Mandalay wreck in just 10 feet of water and Long Reef.  A little further south you'll find the deeper Doc DeMilly, a 287-foot freighter in about 100 feet of water.  Another 7 miles south you'll find the Thiorva wreck and Turtle Reef, two excellent shallow-water snorkel spots.  Don't look now but you're in Key Largo!  The Carysfort lighthouse is just 4 miles due south, followed by some of the word's greatest dive spots. 

When the seas are rough, the Intercoastal route is still a great alternative, offering beautiful views of Biscayne Bay, Card Sound, and Barnes Sound. As you exit the Matheson channel, head due south towards the Featherbeds.  You'll then be on the west side of Elliott Key.  Proceed south staying closer to Elliott than to the mainland.  Look for the distinctive Card Sound Bridge to the south -- it's hard to miss.  Check your charts and make your way through the channel markers along the trip.  As you pass under the Card Sound Bridge, the waters open up into Barnes Sound. From here, the trip takes you across the sound, through channels cut through the wild mangoves, under Jewfish Bridge, and into Florida Bay.  The Key Largo Marriott is a great place to stay if you are interested in staying on the Bay side. Or, cut across the Marvin Adams Waterway if you'd prefer to get back to the oceanside (which is where all the great dive spots can be found).  But large boats beware -- the Adams Waterway has two low fixed bridges that have a clearance of about 14 feet.

On this particular trip, we had a chance to visit French Reef, Snapper Ledge, and Pickles Reef.  If you make the trip, be sure to visit French Reef -- it's absolutely beautiful!  And while you're there, make it a point to enjoy the other incredible dive spots in Key Largo.

Special thanks to Kevin Rinker, Dockmaster at the Molasses Reef Marina, for providing us a slip for the boat.  Give him a call at 305-451-9411 if you decide to make the trip.

Comments:

	Posted by spnickle, Jan-8-2008 @ 12:06 PM CST how long did it take you to take the boat up? Our children might be in a camp daily at the Miami Science Museum and we want to pick them up in the boat.... thanks so much
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