Note: These anchorage notes are for reference only. Sail Miami will not be held responsible for anything that happens as a consequence of reading these reviews! Please obtain current local knowledge before attempting to navigate or anchor in any of these areas.  

Read Keys Boating Info - What every boater should know about boating in the Keys, as well as The Cost of Running Aground on Biscayne Bay.

Anchoring behind keys. Approach from the south, too shallow from the north. Once inside do not go too north, there is very little water the farther north you go. No land facilities nearby.

Good deep water. A lot of cruisers go out to the Bahamas through Angelfish Creek. Protected on South side, depending on the wind. Easy day sail from Miami.

Very shallow, you're in the wilderness here. 

If you going to stay overnight the rangers will make you take a mooring. This is a very protected anchorage. The entrance is from the south. There are all kinds of facilities nearby. Mangroves all around. 

Accessible from the ICW. Plenty of water, shoreside facilities abound as you are right in the middle of downtown Key Largo. Only protected from the west. 

Marinas all around. Plenty of water, but its tight. Not more than a few boats. Extremely well protected.

Terrible in unsettled weather. Holding ground stinks. Be very careful, not recommended.

Nice anchorage if you are coming from inside, on Bay side of Snake Creek.

It's tricky but awful. Not recommended.

Steer clear of anchoring in Whale Harbor if at all possible. Many people hanging out & having parties on the famous sandbar, lots of boats coming from Holiday Isle. Add to that the Keys famously bad holding ground and it can spell disaster. 

Populated area, recommended. Plenty of water 4 to 7 feet. 

There is plenty of water right by the bridge Channel 5. Follow the channel on the south side. On the north side no place is good, very shallow.

Ocean side. Current strong in Tom's Harbor Channel. Stick to the channel. Shallow draft vessels only, 4 to 5 feet. 

Plenty of water, good marinas but bad holding. In settled weather, ok.

Big boats have been anchoring on West side of Boot Key, which is protected from the east only. Access to all kinds of good facilities.

8 feet max. depth, 65 ft. max to clear the cables. 5 feet through Sisters Creek. Good facilities, protected. Now a managed mooring field. Contact the Marathon City Marina on the VHF for availability. Free anchoring still allowed in areas outside managed mooring area.