Starting location: Bahia Honda State Park Marina, Bahia Honda Key, FL.
Weather: Upper 60s to low 70s am, low to mid 70s pm. Partly cloudy to sunny.
Ending location: Anchorage in Barley Basin, off Gulf side of Islamorada, FL. MM (approximately) 1160 on AICW.
Statute miles: Approximately 50
General summary: When we left Bahia Honda Key we planned to spend a day or two anchored at Long Key since this was on the route heading to Miami and looked reasonably protected from the Gulf and Atlantic. Plus, there was another state park with trails. We had asked multiple people whether there was shore access and it seemed reasonable based on the feedback. When we got there, this was really not true. Only place to get to shore was on a small beach in front of some private condos. We decided to move on. Tom had been able, after numerous phone calls, to arrange an oil change in Islamorada for 2/13, so we motored on to the Gulf side to Upper Matecumbe Key and anchored there for four nights to be positioned nearby, since they wanted us there promptly at 7am. We tried to get a marina spot but everything remotely near there was booked. On our first night, the anchor dragged slowly and we had to pull it up and reposition at 2am. Almost no sleep that night. We relocated farther East the next day and had no further problems. Dinghied to shore every day for dog relief, town walks, and shopping.
On our last day, the weather was warm and sunny enough to hang out in the stern of the boat in our bathing suits and we entered the water off the swim platform to get a swim and salty bath. That was just how I had pictured it would be in the Keys every day, but it has been unseasonably cool here this year. (I’m not complaining, just noting.) Really enjoyed it! Dinghied to Lorelei’s restaurant for happy hour that evening since we felt reasonably presentable after that. Had conch fritters, which were delicious.
What broke: Rivets holding rub rail in place on starboard stern popped off, having corroded through.
Boater information:
This anchorage is a good choice in most wind directions except from the N and NW. There are some spots with poor holding, so watch your position closely and use an anchor alarm. You really do need to let out rode length to about 10x your depth. (We only let out 50 feet for 7 feet of depth the first night, then 75 feet later.) The best holding, we found, was to the East, but this required a long dinghy ride to the only public area to store it for a bit while you do any land-based activities. This was located at the Gulf end of Blackwood Drive, where you can tie off onto mangrove branches.
It is a busy small boat ramp and there is a reported resident Crocodile, which we never saw. There is a large dumpster there for trash. The people in private residences on the way in watch you like a hawk to make sure you don’t come onto their land. You can tie up at Lorelei’s Restaurant if you are going to eat there. They are open for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner and they have happy hour from 4-6pm where you can watch the sunset on their sandy beach. Dogs are welcome. Live music nightly and magic show M, W, F. There is a West Marine and Publix grocery store within walking distance.
The Great Loop in a C Dory 25 
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