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Dinner Key

Location: Biscayne Bay
Mile Marker: Mile 1095
Lat / Lon: N 25° 43.278' / W 080° 14.054'
Depth: 8-13 Feet
Description:
Anchoring is possible outside of the mooring field to the north (on the opposite side of the channel) and to the east. The anchorage is usually crowded so look carefully before dropping your hook.
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.

Wind Protection:

1.00

Open and Exposed East through Southeast

Current Flow:

4.00

Wake Protection:

1.00

Open and Exposed East through Southeast

Scenic Beauty:

3.00

Ease of Shopping:

5.00

Shore Access:

5.00

Pet Friendly:

5.00

Cell Service:

4.00

WiFi:

2.00

Review for Dinner Key

Reviewed by: Jason Spitz, Breathe, on May 20, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

2

Wind Protection:

1

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

1

Scenic Beauty:

3

Ease of Shopping:

5

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

4

WiFi:

2

We spent over a week in the mooring field. The anchorage has many long term boats, but there appeared to be some room for those wanting to anchor. Up the channel is the Dinner Key Marina and a crowded dinghy dock. Those anchoring are asked to use the public dinghy dock beyond the marina dinghy dock. As of May 2021, the marina is partially open and lots of construction on Piers 1-3 ongoing. We arrived for our COVID vaccine #2 and found two Walgreens and a CVS within 1.5 miles. Lots of shopping, nice library, and Fresh Market all within walking distance. The marina office is in a large blue building on the second floor. There are large restrooms with many showers. We didn’t use them but appeared clean and saw cleaning people constantly when on shore. The laundry room has large commercial machines for $1.50 wash/dry. Each machine holds the equivalent of two loads. A great deal. WiFi at the office is very fast. Key cards are provided to mooring field customers for both and password for WIFi. In the mooring field don’t expect WiFi. We were able to get a very slow speed sometimes through the marina or an open hotel. Best to go onshore though. Cell service for TMobile was 1-2 bars and Verizon 2-3 in the mooring field. Following our COViD vaccines, we stayed due to persistent E To NE winds from 20-30+ knots. This is a very exposed mooring field and anchorage. The bay had waves over 2 feet and made for multiple rough days. Recommend if sustained winds are forecast in excess of 15 knots to go across the bay to hurricane harbor or marine stadium, or even all the way east in the Bay near Rickenbacker Causway. This makes for one loud rough anchorage in high winds anywhere but from the NW. Unless you have the desire or need to go to Coconut Grove, there are other anchorages that may be more suitable, especially in windy conditions.

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