Islamorada

The folks at Banana Bay Marina recommended Sombrero Key and Loue Key for great reef snorkeling and the forecast seemed to be agreeable with 10 knots out of the SW for a peak out to the ocean side. The day started out with a bit more breeze than was forecasted.  It was time to pull up anchor and head out Moser Channel, cross Hawk Channel to Sombrero Key. 

Moser Channel

The plan was to pick up a mooring, go snorkeling, have lunch, and if the conditions were right, stay the night.  Up until this point we have been on the inside / north / bayside of the Keys, Hawk’s Channel is on the outside / south / Gulfstream  side and is a haven of reefs for divers, snorkeling and fishing  and many boats were already there along with lots of breeze and choppy water conditions. 

Sombrero Key

When we arrived at Sombrero after 1 ½ hrs of bouncing and washing the deck with salt water in a 15 knots breeze on the nose, we re-evaluated the situation. A few boats on mooring balls were pitching like crazy and it was not going to be fun, forget about snorkeling, time to switch to plan B which is to continue on the outside in Hawks Channel and move back into the Bay Side under Channel 5, and after 50.3 NM, 7.25 hours we dropped anchor at Islamorada exhausted.

The next day had us in the dingy (Moonie with her new chaps) touring the area, and to our surprise we discovered the Worldwide Sportsman Pro Bass Store where we gathered tackle to catch the big fish for our upcoming big fishing expedition in the Bahamas and outfits for JP – bathing suit, shirt and Diane now has a new hat and sunglasses all a MUST HAVE to keep the crew happy and for a successful cruising trip. 

Moonie with her new Chaps