Introduction

The Florida Keys offer a unique opportunity to experience Carribean style cruising without international travel. US-1, the Overseas Highway, puts this cruising experience withing driving distance for many sailors. The keys offer the full line-up of cruising highlights including easy sailing, excellent diving and snorkeling, temperate weather, great fishing, social spots, and the rich history of Key West. Spanning roughly 120 miles from Key Largo to Key West, the keys are a dream trip for the cruising enthusiast.

Easy Sailing: Hawk's Channel is the name of the main waterway along the eastern or Atlantic side of the Florida Keys. Any decent chart shows a recomended route through the shallows and reefs that fringe the edges of the channel. While you do have to know what is under you at all times, there is a relatively deep run all the way from Miami to Key West. The Gulf side of the Keys is very shallow and much less interesting for first timers, unless you are an inshore fisherman. You may find a nice marina along the intracoastal route, but there are limited number of bridges that can accomodate a sailboat mast and crossing from the gulf to the ocean side could become the driver of your itinerary. We suggest choosing the ocean side whenever possible leaving the Gulf Side as a shelter option for severe easterly weather systems.

Excellent Diving: The Keys are a highly protected environment under a national marine sanctuary that spans from Florida City all the way to the Dry Tortugas. The sancutary protects the reefs and sea grasses so that they remain pristine. There are countless reefs and wrecks for diving and snorkeling, mostly on the Atlantic Side. 360 Yachting's Key Largo Manager, Tom Witmer, is a local dive instructor and can point you to all the best diving and snorkeling the keys have to offer.

Temperate Weather: While winter cold fronts can occaisionally create a chill and some brisk wind, the Keys are normally very temperate. Water temperatures run between 65-85 F and the air temperatures run between 60 - 95 F. The summer months tend to be hot and less windy. November through May is the best time to visit the keys if you are looking for great breeze and more moderate temperatures.

Great Fishing: The Gulf Stream Current runs very close to the Ocean Side of the Keys. Depths in the Atlantic Ocean drop to several thousands of feet just a few miles beyond the barrier reef of Hawk's Channel. This combination of nutrient rich gulf stream, ample mangrove breeding grounds, reefs, and sea grasses all add up to fantastic fishing potential. Both offshore big game and inshore back bay fishing in the keys are as as good as it gets in the US.

Fun Social Spots: Key West is World famous for its fabulous restaurants, nightlfe, museums, and galleries. In fact, several cruise ships and ferries runningdaily direct from Miami and Fort Myers on the West Coast. Marathon, Key Largo,and Islamorada are more family friendly offering low key, but ample entertainment for the term of a weeky vacation with good restaurants and cute marinas.

Rich History of Key West: Known to be the stomping ground of the famous and infamous, Key west is full of rich historial tourism. Some of the highlights include the Ernest Hemingway Estate, Mel Fischer's Treasure Museam, Audubon House, Truman White House, and Fort Zachary, and the Old Key West Ligthouse.

Sailing Destinations (from North to South)- These are but a few of the many stops that we have made while crusing the Florida Keys. A good starting point.

• Elliott Key - Key Biscayne
• Boca Chita - Island in Key Biscayne Area
• John Pennekamp Park - Key largo
• Key Largo Harbor Marina - Key Largo
• Hawk's Cay Resort - Duck Key
• Marathon - Vaca Key
• Bahia Honda State Park - Bahia Honda
• Looe Key - Underwater Park Snorkeling and Diving
• Little Palm Island/Newfound Harbor - Big Pine Key
• Stock Island - Anchorage, Dockage, Services
• Key West - Great Shoreside fun
• Marquesas Key - An isolated nature lovers dream
• Dry Tortugas - Fantastic pre Civil War Fort, Diving and Snorkeling

360 Yachting is perfectly postioned to take the best advantage of all the Keys have to offer. Located in Key Largo Harbor Marina, the charterboats are just less than 1 hour drive from Miami area airports. Budget and Thrifty both offer inexpensive (Less than $100) one-way rentals to key largo. The return locations for both companies are within 2-3 miles from the charterboats making the trip to the keys cery convienent. Plus, It is really nice to have wheels for provisioning. Since the keys span a long 100 mile linear stretch, we suggest taking advantage of our Signature $360 One-Way Itenerary from Key Largo to Key West. End your trip with a bang on Duval Street!

Suggested 7-day One-Way Itinerary: Key Largo to Key West
Day 1.    Sail from Key Largo To Pennekamp: Head out of Key Largo Harbor Marina and sail up to Pennekamp State Park. Enjoy snorkeling and diving her fabulous reefs. This state park offers guided educational environmental tours, snorkeling tours, guided dives, picnic areas, and designated swimming areas. You can enjoy the sunset and a picnic your first night.
Day 2.    Wake up at Pennekamp: Spend the morning continuing the exploration of Pennekamp. In the afternoon, Sail back towards key largo and spend the night in the boat’s home slip enjoying the sunset and evening at Sharkies and Coconuts enjoying the music, food, drinks and fun.
Day 3.    Book our charter manager and Dive Instructor, Tom Whitmer, to take you on a guided dive tour of the best reefs around Key Largo. Key Largo and Islamorada boast the best diving in the keys with a range of underwater sights to see including deep and shallow wrecks and natural reef. Tom has spent 20 years in the Key Largo as a dive instructor and Instructor Certifier. A true local expert, this is a highlight you don’t want to miss!
Day 4.    Head South to Islamorada and enjoy the sights of Islamorada including the theater by the sea and/or Holiday Isle resort and beach. Troll for fish along the way. Hopefully you can catch your dinnerJ
Day 5.    Continue heading South to Bahia Honda State Park. Enjoy beaches, picnic areas, a great anchorage, and diving/snorkeling the nearby Looe Key Underwater Preserve.
Day 6.    Sail to Key West and spend your last night enjoying the fun Key West Duval street nightlife.
Day 7.    Rise early to enjoy  breakfast on the waterfront. Clean and prep the boat for your check-out at noon.

Always leave wiggle room in your schedule for weather suprises. Be willing to reaarange the itinerary so that your passengers enjoy the sailing. If there were a stiff Westerly when you comence your charter, you may consider heading to Northerly points first and then going south after the front passes and gives you a nice Northerly wind direction.

Article Written and Copyrighted by Jay Phillips, Managing Director of 360 Yachting.