Bahia Honda Key North

• Lat / Lon: N 24° 39.700' / W 081° 16.610'
• Description:

  This is a popular anchorage for both day boats and overnight anchoring. There is good protection from South & Southeast winds. Anchor in 6-8 feet of water for overnight. Many day boats head to the shallower areas. The bottom here is primarily coral, covered with a shallow layer of sand/mud/grasses. With 25-30 knot winds and gusts to 40 expected several days after arriving we tried setting the anchor for a hard Northerly blow and dragged 3 times with our Mantus Supreme 45lb anchor in 3 separate area. On our 4th attempt we grabbed but with the intention of moving before North winds arrived. We stayed put with no dragging for 3 days in 15 knot South and SE winds. Diving the anchor we found that it was only partially buried. Swimming around and checking the bottom. In multiple areas we found coral covered by 1-6 inches of sand/mud/grasses. Plan to leave the area in heavy northerly blows. It's a short dinghy ride to the Bahia Honda State Park. You can tie up to the marina wall near the office. It's $4.50 a person for first two people and $.50 p/p per day for use of the park during park hours of 8-5pm. There are tours and scuba charters out of the park. There is free holding tank pump out. We were told boats up to 5 foot draft can get in. Note that sailboats will need to go out near Marathon and sail on the outside back to Bahia Honda South. The Overseas bridge is 20 feet height here. You can bring your trash in to the park for disposal with trash cans readily available. A snack bar had reasonably priced snacks, including hot dogs, hamburgers, wraps/sandwiches and ice cream. There are nice beaches both Oceanside and between the bridges. Be sure to walk up the old bridge for a great view of the park and the Keys. Also walk around the shoreline of the park for great aquatic life, especially near fish cleaning stations. Beautiful sunsets from the Anchorage and park. Cell service from Verizon and Google Fi was excellent. No WiFi at anchorage even with extender, but Free WiFi with no password at dock office/snack bar. This is a nice stop. For pictures from our visit go to https://www.facebook.com/289883317705682/posts/4318530064840967/

  NOTE: Per Florida Statute 327.4109

  The owner or operator of a vessel or floating structure may not anchor or moor such that the nearest approach of the anchored or moored vessel or floating structure is:

  1. Within 150 feet of any marina, boat ramp, boatyard, or other vessel launching or loading facility;
  2. Within 300 feet of a superyacht repair facility. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "superyacht repair facility" means a facility that services or repairs a yacht with a water line of 120 feet or more in length; or
  3. Within 100 feet outward from the marked boundary of a public mooring field or a lesser distance if approved by the commission upon request of a local government within which the mooring field is located. The commission may adopt rules to implement this subparagraph.