Sail the Florida Keys

Some of the highlights to experience on a Florida Keys Sailing Charter Vacation 

Your Florida Keys adventure likely begins and ends at Key West, which is closer to Cuba than Miami yet connected to the US mainland by the 90-mile long Overseas Highway that's an experience in itself. Most sailing charter visitors arrive by air and take the short transfer to one of the charter bases located on the island. Famous for its coral reefs, local architecture, historic sites and nightlife, charming Key West is well worth some time before or after your charter.  

Like most charterers however, you will probably be keen to go sailing and start exploring the chain of cays that make up this most southerly part of the Continental USA. Two great things about sailing here are that distances between attractions can be as short as you'd like them to be, and anchorages are plentiful, if shallow in places. A seven-day charter Key West to Key Largo and return is easily achievable. 

Travelling out of the Stock island marina, it's less than 30 nautical miles to Baihia Honda Key, a popular stopover. In the vicinity there's a variety of stunning beaches, some say the best in the world. Looe Key has some of the best snorkelling you'll experience on your vacation. 

A similar distance to that travelled above will take you from Bahia Honda Key to Long Key, via Marathon, a major sport fishing town of 10,000 people surrounded by the bountiful sea. Stop a while and enjoy a seafood lunch, or you may prefer to do Marathon on the return. At Long Key enjoy the natural surroundings, the greenery and the birdlife. 

Perhaps after two days of sailing that have taken you from Key West more than half way to the mainland, you're ready to take it a bit easier. Less than ten nautical miles onward you'll come to Indian Key Historic State Park at Islamorada. Nearby is the San Pedro Underwater Archeological Preserve, another one of the numerous state parks along the Keys. The San Pedro was a Dutch ship sunk during a hurricane in 1733. What remains lies in 18 feet of water 1.25nm south of Indian Key, easily accessible to good swimmers. 

From Indian Key, it's a further 20nm sailing distance to Key Largo. Apart from the shops, bars and restaurants, most of the attractions are aquatic-based as they are all along the Keys. A visit to the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center can be rewarding, a reminder of the fragility of nature in this delicate place. 

If you enjoy walking while on vacation, the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail is accessible to many points along your sailing route.