Day 142-143 – 2/23-24/24

Starting location: No Name Harbor, Key Biscayne.

Weather: 64 am, 76 pm, sunny – Friday 2/23. 56 am, 77 pm, overcast and light rain to sunny by afternoon – Saturday 2/24.

Ending location: Sands Harbor Resort and Marina. Pompano, FL. MM 1056 AICW.

Statute miles: Approximately 50, then 0 for another day.

General summary: Tied up briefly to the seawall in No Name Harbor to walk pup before motoring on. Atlantic swell heights predicted to be above our comfort level, so decided to stay in the ICW (aka “The Ditch” in these parts). We heard from others that Miami boat traffic wasn’t too bad on weekdays so hoped to get past any congestion in time. Winds changed to coming out of the South, so felt more humid. We were pleasantly surprised by the trip through Miami. Many huge boats, but little commercial traffic moving about (maybe Miami sleeps late?) and wake wasn’t a big issue as there were widespread speed restrictions.

Fort Lauderdale, on the other hand, was crazy. Large port with numerous towering passenger cruise boats and container ships.

Wake restriction disappeared, even in narrow channels, and waves rebounded between the walls causing relatively large and confused waves. Looked at four places to anchor – all chock full of boats and questionable to no shore access. Decided we needed to book at a marina and found one that could take us.

Spent two nights at Sands Harbor Marina, since we have a 5 night reservation at Boynton Harbor Marina starting Sunday and there were no good anchorages in between. Treated ourselves to an excellent Peruvian meal at Aromas del Peru restaurant. 😋

Boater information: Recommend reserving marina stops in South Florida. We had hoped to be “on the hook” more here, but anchorages appear generally full (to over-full) and shore access seemed universally poor. Sands Harbor had power, water, bathrooms, showers (well used), gas, pump-out. You can use the pool at the hotel, but it is small and you are in full view of all the people eating at the waterfront restaurant. No laundry room, but several within walking distance.