Depart Base after checkout, sail Eastward in the Hawk's Channel towards Newfound Harbor where you will spend a quiet first night at anchor. Dolphins & Turtles are frequently sighted all through the waters of Hawk's Channel so keep an eye out. Once you have dropped anchor you can take the dinghy to Picnic Island for wander about & swim. Smaller groups can dinghy up a residential channel to reach Looe Key Tiki Bar & Boondocks restaurant.
For an utterly luxurious 5 star experience consider visiting Little Palm Island Resort for dinner or Sunday brunch. You can also do overnight dockage which affords full use of the resort facilities & Spa. Reservations for the restauran and pre-approval for dinghy dockage are required, as is proper attire. Bonus while ashore, the miniature native Key Deer and many tropical birds that frequent the resort grounds. This is an utterly fantastic pace, rated one of the top resorts in the U.S. An overnight sleep starts at $500.
Approximately 24 NM - 4 hours under sail to top of channel for Newfound Harbor
Get an early start this morning to ensure a good spot. Looe Key Reef is 5 miles south of Little Palm island. It takes about 90 minutes to reach the reef from the anchorage. This is one of the most colorful and teeming of all the reefs in the Keys. You will literally have your breath taken away by the multitude of fish & creatures on the reef area. Almost guaranteed to get up close & personal with 300 lb. Goliath Groupers. Take up a mooring ball and enjoy some of the best snorkeling you 'll experience in the Keys. Head back to Newfound Harbor for the night.
Take your time sailing up to Marathon, passing along the seven-mile bridge, if you got an early enough start you can make a stop at Sombrero Key for snorkeling at the historic lighthouse. Enjoy a night at anchor outside Boot Key Harbor or take up a slip at one of the marinas. This is a great opportunity for a nice dinner ashore at one of the many good restaurants in the area.
Approximately 3 - 4 hours under sail
Want to spend more luxury time & fine dining in the Keys? Set Sail for the first-class Hawk's Cay Resort at Duck Key, the is even a dolphin experience available. Marina reservations are required
8 NM
As you depart Duck Key today you will back track, with your destination being the anchorage at Bahia Honda Key. You enter the anchorage area via a cut in the historic Flagler railway bridge. Drop anchor just off the lovely little public beach and dinghy ashore, where you will finad a gift shop and visitor center, public bathrooms and beach showers. The currents here can be strong & we only recommend an overnight anchorage if there are Easterly winds. Alternatively return to Newfound Harbor anchorage for the night which is only about an hour.
Time to head back for Key West. If you make an early enough start you may have time to squeeze in another short snorkeling visit to Looe Key or a different reef on the way back. If the weather's fine sail outside the reef and if you haven't done it already pass by the hisoric & impressive steel ruis of American Shoal Lighthouse. As you approach Key West notify the marina of your inminent arrival to the fuel dock. Please ensure you arrive before 5:30 for fueling & pump out.
Your charter check-in time will coincide with your check out time. Be prepared to welcome aboard your charter representative and expect approximately one hour before disembarkation.
