Boating

Florida Boating, Sailing and Cruising

disappearing island florida, near new smyrna beach and the ponce inlet

Disappearing Island

Disappearing Island is a large, popular sandbar in Florida’s Ponce Inlet, near New Smyrna Beach. Why is it called Disappearing Island? Disappearing Island got its name because it “disappears” at high tide, and is only visible during low tides. During high tide, the Disappearing Island sandbar is submerged underwater.  The water level and depth varies…

Fishing in Florida

Fishing in Florida

Fishing in Florida is world-class! There are thousands of miles of coastline and waterways in Florida – lakes, rivers, fresh water, salt water, brackish tidal zones, inland, coastal, offshore and everything in between. The entire state is filled with fishing spots and a huge variety of conditions and places to catch fish. Because fishing in Florida…

Crab Island Destin Florida

Crab Island

Crab Island is a large underwater sandbar located north of the Destin Bridge in Destin, Florida.  The sandbar is located just east of Santa Rosa Island, and at the mouth of the Choctawhatchee Bay. Crab Island is located within the boundaries of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The sandbar is a beautiful spot, and is…

Woman at Passage Key, Florida

Passage Key (Anna Maria)

Passage Key is an uninhabited island at the mouth of Tampa Bay.  The island is protected as a national wildlife refuge, and is closed to public access. Note: All of Passage Key closed to protect nesting wildlife. Trespassing on Passage Key is illegal. Visitors should remain well away from the beaches to avoid illegal trespassing. …

Nixon Sandbar on Key Biscayne, Florida

Nixon Sandbar

The Nixon Sandbar is a popular sandbar near Miami, on Key Biscayne. The sandbar is an extremely popular hangout for boaters near Miami and surrounding areas.  On busy weekends and holidays many dozens, or even hundreds of boats gather, anchor, raft up and party. The Nixon Sandbar is also known as Nixon Beach, and the Nixon…

Mosquito Bank Key Largo Sandbar

Mosquito Bank (Key Largo)

Mosquito Bank is located in the upper Keys near Key Largo. It is just offshore of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.  The Mosquito Bank covers a relatively large area, and includes several sandbars and shallow areas. One part of the Mosquito Bank has a lighted navigational beacon. Note: Please be careful not to damage…

Aerial map showing Picnic Island, Florida Keys

Picnic Island (Florida Keys)

Picnic Island is a small, undeveloped island and sandbar in the lower Florida Keys.  Location Picnic Island is located in the Newfound Harbor Channel, south of Little Torch Key and southeast of Ramrod Key. It is less than a mile northeast of the Little Palm Island Resort. Water around Picnic Island is shallow. Depths around…

Grassy Key Sandbar in Marathon, Florida Keys

Marathon Sandbar

There are several popular sandbars in Marathon.  Each sandbar is unique and has its own vibe. The “feel” of the sandbars change dramatically based on other visitors who happen to be at the sandbar.  Like all sandbars in Florida, some of the more popular sandbars around Marathon become extremely crowded on weekends. Hundreds of boats…

islamorada sandbar, florida keys

Islamorada Sandbars

The Islamorada sandbar is a shallow stretch of white sand, just offshore of Islamorada in the Florida Keys.  The Islamorada sandbar is an extremely popular place for boats to anchor and swim in the crystal clear water. Gatherings on the sandbar can be calm and relaxing, or wild parties, depending on the day and the…

Boca Grande Key (Key West)

Boca Grande Key (Key West)

Boca Grande is a small, uninhabited island in the Florida Keys.  Boca Grande Key is an extremely popular boating destination for people who live in Key West, and for visitors who visit the island with sandbar tours and captained boat charters. Note: Boca Grande Key should not be confused with the small residential community of…

Aerial image of Content Keys in Florida Keys

Content Keys

The Content Keys are a group of small islands in the lower Florida Keys backcountry, near the Gulf of Mexico.  The entire region is famous for its beautiful clear water, abundant wildlife and fine, sugar-white sand. It is renowned for having some of the best sandbars in Florida. Note: The Content Keys are located in…

sandbar in key west, florida

Sandbars in Key West

Sandbars in Key West are hidden gems. The sand is like white sugar. The water is crystal clear.  When you’re all alone on a sandbar there isn’t any noise, except for the sound of the water. They’re like private desert islands.  You can often see fun and exciting marine life on sandbars, including dolphins, sharks,…

Beer can island in tampa bay, also known as Pine Key

Beer Can Island (Tampa Bay)

Tampa Bay has two islands with the name “Beer Can Island”. One “Beer Can Island” is located in the middle of Tampa Bay. It was recently renamed to “Pine Key”, and is the subject of this article. Click this link for the other “Beer Can Island”, located at the northern tip of Longboat Key, near…

Manatees in Three Sisters Spring, near the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge

Three Sisters Spring

Three Sisters Spring is one of the most beautiful natural springs in Florida. It’s also one of the best places to see wild manatees in Florida. Note: The Chassahowitzka River is another excellent location to swim with manatees, and it’s relatively nearby Three Sisters Spring. If you will visit Three Sisters Spring, be sure to…

Florida Bay Seagrass Impact

Boating Impact on Florida Waterways

Boaters can have serious, negative impacts on Florida’s waterways! As the population of south Florida and the Florida Keys grows, boater’s impact on the marine environment will become an increasingly serious problem to manage. Many boaters run aground every year and damage the fragile seagrass in Florida Bay and throughout Florida. Damage is especially intense…

Anclote River Park Florida

Anclote River Park

Anclote River Park is located in Pasco County at the mouth of the Anclote River. The Anclote River Park is medium-sized and covers approximately 31 acres. The park is a favorite destination for locals who love it its beach, fishing pier, excellent boat ramp, picnic pavilions for outdoor gatherings, and more. The park is also…

Fishing in Islamorada

Islamorada

Islamorada is a small village and group of islands in the Florida Keys. Islamorada is located in the upper Keys, and is roughly halfway between Miami and Key West. The village includes approximately 7 square miles of land area. The official boundaries extend from Channel Two Bridge near mile marker 72.5 to the Tavernier Creek…

Chassahowitzka River Campground

Chassahowitzka River and Springs

The Chassahowitzka River is located in the city of Homosassa on Florida’s central gulf coast. It’s located in Citrus County. Chassahowitzka River Video Tour History of Chassahowitzka River and Springs Like many springs in Florida, Chassahowitzka Springs has a fascinating history. It has attracted humans for tens of thousands of years. There are several notable…

An underwater submersible Florida

Blue Holes in Florida

Note: This article is about underwater blue holes in Florida’s oceans. Here is the link to Blue Hole Spring in Ichetucknee Springs State Park, if you were looking for that instead. I first learned about blue holes in Florida while doing research for freediving and scuba diving. Over time I’ve become obsessed. I’ve spent months…