Reviews: No Name Harbor

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Holding:
4.50
Excellent, Hard Mud
Wind Protection:
4.73
All Except West
Current Flow:
4.73
Wake Protection:
4.45
All Except West
Scenic Beauty:
3.91
Ease of Shopping:
2.40
Shore Access:
4.55
Pet Friendly:
4.50
Cell Service:
5.00
WiFi:
1.50

  • Review for No Name Harbor

    Reviewed by: Kristine Elliott on Jan 26, 2024
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 44'
    Draft: 5.0'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    4
    Shore Access:
    5
    Pet Friendly:
    5
    Cell Service:
    5
    WiFi:
    1

    Great place to stage for crossing to the Bahamas. Some things we've learned while here:
    1. The pump out station apparently does NOT work.
    2. There is NO water to fill your tanks, showers or washers/dryers available (rumor is there use to be back 2014?)
    3. Closest fuel, pump out and water we found are at Crandon Park Marina about 3-4 miles away
    4. Tide can be significant at the dinghy dock. We used our pup's like jacket to hoist him up (like a suitcase) on to the seawall.
    5. Key Biscayne has a free transportation service called FreeBee. It takes you all over Key Biscayne (only- not to Miami ) Tips are appreciated. Download the app.
    6. There is NO coin-op laundry on Key Biscayne. We found a coin-op laundry and Walmart near each other in Miami on West Flager Street. Doubling up chores made the Uber trip worth it to us.
    7. Uber is roughly $30 one-way to get to the stores mentioned in #6
    8. There are no car rentals (Hertz/Enterprise etc) on Key Biscayne (and the cars listed on Turo as being on the island never responded)
    9. There is a bus that will take you to Miami, we didn't try it
    10. The Winn-Dixie, CVS and Ace Hardware are about 1 mile away
    11. Boater's Grill & The Cleat - the restaurant and bar at the park next to the Harbor are meh and pricey! ($9/ beer at the restaurant and I heard $62 for a whole snapper @ "market price" at the restaurant.
    12. You can have Amazon packages delivered to The UPS store on Key Biscayne (approximately 1.9 miles away). You MUST add "Hold for pick up" or "Virtual Doorman" to the address line or they will return it. They charge $5-$25 to pick up based on the size of the box.
    13. It definitely gets busier (crowded) on the weekends inside the harbor
    14. We saw approximately 13' depths and put out 75' of chain which held- just don't let anyone drag over your anchor (ask me how we learned that one)

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  • Review for No Name Harbor

    Reviewed by: Karen R, See Level, on Mar 2, 2023
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 50'
    Draft: 3.5'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    4
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    5
    Pet Friendly:
    5
    Cell Service:
    5
    WiFi:
    1

    The anchorage actually inside the harbor is very well protected. There were about a dozen boats here on a weekday, many (including us) >50'. Just outside the harbor is a separate anchorage which is not well protected except maybe from west winds. Restaurant and separate beachside bart open until he park closes at sunset, good food. $20/day. We didn't find any bathrooms other than in the restaurants (no showers), and nothing posted about them. Pumpout was not working. Long wall for daytime use only. Nice place to watch the sunset over the bay from Cleats, the bar there.
    The night we were there, the winds died to nothing. There must have been some swirling tidal currents because boats were facing all which way. We actually pulled anchor and moved over to the edge of the harbor because with the random 360's going on and not knowing how much scope others had out. But with just the light breeze of earlier we were all kept spaced out nicely -- just beware of the potential if it's a calm night nd make sure you have 360 deg of swing room.

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  • Review for No Name Harbor

    Reviewed by: Joan Koziol on Jan 27, 2023
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 44'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    3
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    1
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    5
    Pet Friendly:
    3
    Cell Service:
    5
    WiFi:
    1

    The Harbor is really a small cove and can accommodate smaller boats. During high season boats are anchored outside the "harbor". Good holding and depth. Big issue is the disrespectful power boats. They go fast and close through the anchored boat field making huge waves . Some doing it for fun.

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  • Review for No Name Harbor

    Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Dec 1, 2022
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 42'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    3
    Holding:
    3
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Ease of Shopping:
    2
    Shore Access:
    5
    Pet Friendly:
    5
    Cell Service:
    5
    WiFi:
    1

    I give the anchorage only a 3 out of 5 because it gets absolutely nuts with weekend boaters that find any available open space to anchor regardless of how close they are or how loud they are (and it can be LOUD). Regularly see manatees, small sharks, tarpons, etc. I would not agree that there is room to comfortably anchor 25 boats. Maybe 25 if you like to hand off the Grey Poupon off to your neighbors. I'd say maybe room for 8-10 cruising boats anchoring and many more if you tie up on the wall. They say there is no overnight tie up on the wall but we have seen people staying overnight for days on end with security not saying a word. Also, there is a pump out but according to the local security and state park officials it has never worked and there really is no plan to get it working in the state budget.

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  • Review for No Name Harbor

    Reviewed by: Stefanie & Mike, Throwin Caution, on Jul 18, 2022
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 38'
    Draft: 6.0'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    5
    Pet Friendly:
    5
    Cell Service:
    5
    WiFi:
    1

    A quick follow up on my last post. Heading home from our trip we decided to stop at No Name Harbor again because it was so peaceful and beautiful there. This time a catamaran ran a generator that could wake up three blocks of homes. If you're going to anchor near other boaters PLEASE be respectful. You're NOT the only one in the world. Sheesh it's ridiculous

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  • Review for No Name Harbor

    Reviewed by: Stefanie & Mike on Jul 7, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 38'
    Draft: 6.0'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    5
    Shore Access:
    5
    Pet Friendly:
    5
    Cell Service:
    5
    WiFi:
    5

    We loved our over night stay here. The Boater Grill Restaurant there was Fantastic! If you're planning to stop I recommend trying it. It's $8 a day and $20 for over night. Charges were based on the honesty policy. Obviously sone didn't follow it. One problem we did have was random boat came in late to swim and the were just loud and obnoxious. Otherwise we will definitely recommend this stop.

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  • Review for No Name Harbor

    Reviewed by: Benjamin Resch, La Mistinguette, on Apr 9, 2022
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 5.5'

    Overall Rating:
    2

    This anchorage might work for smaller sailboats, but was too tight to be comfortable for us, or really any other >40' boat IMHO. Crowded, lots of dayboats tied up, and visitors around. We opted to stay just outside where there is plenty of room for 20+ boats.

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  • Review for No Name Harbor

    Reviewed by: David Mann, Now or Never, on Apr 5, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 44'
    Draft: 4.7'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    4
    Ease of Shopping:
    3
    Shore Access:
    5
    Pet Friendly:
    5
    Cell Service:
    5

    No Name Harbor is located inside Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. There is an $8.00 entry per vessel charge to enter the harbor or $20.00 if you wish to spend the night on anchor. Boats may tie to the surrounding dock but must be off the docks by 11:00 pm. (That's when the park closes) I wasn't clear on that and met a very professional ranger who filled me in. The pump out is currently out of order. A restaurant on site is available to you once on land. A ladder is available for your use to exit your dinghy. Very pet friendly.

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  • Review for No Name Harbor

    Reviewed by: Grady Third, S/V Aquila, on Feb 20, 2022
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 37'
    Draft: 4.5'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Ease of Shopping:
    3
    Shore Access:
    4
    Pet Friendly:
    3
    Cell Service:
    5
    WiFi:
    1

    Excellent holding. Easy access to facilities. Nice park and food establishments.

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  • Review for No Name Harbor

    Reviewed by: Anonymous on Jan 2, 2022
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 3.8'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    3
    Shore Access:
    4
    Pet Friendly:
    5
    Cell Service:
    5
    WiFi:
    1

    This is a great cove to hang out. Pay your $20 to the Ranger's Station drop box, it is an honor system. Please do it right! Nice beach, nature trails, restaurants and bars, and not a far walk into town to get supplies.

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  • Review for No Name Harbor

    Reviewed by: Timothy Mousseau, RI3, on Mar 31, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 54'
    Draft: 5.0'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    4
    Pet Friendly:
    4
    Cell Service:
    5

    This is a great little harbor very close to Miami. Although other reviews have suggested great holding, I had to reset the anchor a couple times before going to bed. LoL. This is critical as boats tend to be crammed together pretty close to each other in this harbor. I suggest the park service add mooring balls! Although there is a nice park at the site, it is very busy with non-boating visitors as was the restaurant on site. The place is definitely dog friendly but the access to the sea wall was quite high requiring one to physically lift out you dog (and drop it back in) to the dinghy. Although overnight tie-up tp sea wall is not allowed, one can do this during the day and this is sometimes easier that ferrying the dog to the wall via a dinghy. Overall a great spot except for the crowds.

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  • Review for No Name Harbor

    Reviewed by: Luke Carpenter on Jan 26, 2020
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 53'
    Draft: 5.0'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Shore Access:
    3

    Good holding in 12 feet. About 8 feet alongside pumpout station. Very crowded on weekends but anchoring outside is also available. Nice park with easy walk to Cape Florida light.

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