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Itineraries along the Florida Keys
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Miami to Key West in 7 days
This is an itinerary for a one week trip from Miami to Key West, returning to Miami with a rental car.
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Day 1 - From Miami Beach Marina to Pumkin Key, 30 miles
Charter companies usually give their clients access to the boat at approximately 10 in the morning. They help you load the boat and they give you all necessary explanations, maps et gear. From the Port of Miami you will sail to Biscayne Bay National Park. The dolphins, curious by nature, will come and race your boat. The first night, anchor at Pumkin Key, a minuscule deserted island. Drop two anchors because the bottom is sandy and the winds unpredictable.
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Day 2 - From Pumkin Key to Marina del Mar, south of Key Largo. - 25 miles.
 Use the engine during the short passage from Angelfish Creek to the Atlantic. Then hoist the sails and steer south to the first coral reefs. Underwater visit of the Carysfort Reef and the Statue of Christ of the Abyss at Key Largo Dry Rocks. This is a must in this area. In the evening, you have the choice between dropping the anchor around Rodriguez Key or docking at Marina del Mar (1 800 451-3483) south of Key Largo. Have a drink at the marina and take a taxi to the "The Fish House", recommended by guides as one of the best seafood restaurants in the Keys. If Marina del Mar cannot accommodate you, try Key Largo Harbor Marina (1 800 843 5397). To access these little marinas, some map reading is essential. There is only one route for the sailboats and you might run aground if you try to pass at low tide.
Day 3 - From Key Largo to Windley Key, 20 miles
 Today, coral reef and multicolored fish at the sightseeing menu. You leave Key Largo to enter the world of the fantastic reefs of Molasses Reef (the most beautiful of all), Pickles Reef, Conck Reef and Davis Reef. Reserve a dock at Holiday Beach and Marina (1.800 327 7070) in Windley Key. This is one of the most fun marinas of the Keys: tropical atmosphere, pleasant bars, reggae musicians, white sand beach, pool, boutiques, and restaurants. Washing machines and dryers are available to clean those wet towels.  Make a stop at the "Horizon" restaurant on the last floor of the marina. The "Whale Harbor Channel" that leads to the port is bordered by mounds of white sand. During the weekends of hot weather, amateur sailors dock their boats, install a picnic table and a sunshade. They leave this marvelous place, when the tide is high. Try swimming along the mounds of sand: you will beat all speed records when going with the current and will go backwards the other way round. The Robinsons will drop anchor further south at Indian Key or at Long Key Bight, well shielded from the current and winds.
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Day 4 - From Windley Key to Duck Key, 23 miles.
The beaches of Holiday Isle Beach Resort and Marina will have taken up a few hours of your time in the morning. Course south-east towards Duck Key. Reserve a place at Haw's Cay Marina (1800 432.2242), one of the most luxurious stops (and the most expensive) of the Keys. You will find tennis couts, pools, fitness centers, restaurants, and bars. Take out your golf clubs; this is the right time to check out your swing. Duck Key owes its name to the form of an upside down duck head.
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Day 5 - From Duck Key to Boot Key, 15 miles.
 In the morning take advantage of the facilities of Haw's Cay Marina. In the afternoon choose Sombrero Reef for an hour of snorkeling. Your haven in the evening is Boot Key on Marathon. You have the choice between two well equipped marinas. It is also the right time to stock up on your food supplies, on foot from Sombrero Resort & Lighthouse Marina (1 305 743 2250) and by taxi from Faro Blanco Marina (1 800 7593276). If you prefer, there is an anchor drop, for the night, east of Boot Key.
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Day 6 - 15 miles from Boot Key to Newfound Harbor Keys or 8 miles to Bahia Honda Key.
Today, hoist the sails and head for Looe Key, one of the region's best place for snorkeling. Turn due north towards Newfound Harbor Keys where you will discover Little Palm Island (1-800-343-8567), a luxurious private complex. Elegant and expensive, count $100 minimum for docking and $30 to $70 per person for their excellent food. You can also drop two anchors at Bahia Honda Key (1-305-812.2353), that you will find en route to the Newfound Harbor Keys.
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Day 7 - Destination Key West. 25 miles from Newfound Harbor and 30 miles starting from Bahia Honda Key.
 Your goal is to reach Key West and the docks of the Key West Bight Marina where you will dock. Evening program: visit the city and its tropical houses, shop at Duval Street and see the festival of the setting sun at Mallory Square.
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Day 8 - Key West to Miami in a rental car.
The charter company will proceed to "checkout" at around 10 o'clock in the morning. Rent a car to return to Miami.
From Miami to Miami in 7 days
The first days are identical to those proposed when you head for Key West. Here are the stages that will take you back to Miami starting of the 5th day.
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Day 5 - 30 miles between Duck Key and Tavernier Key.
 Head for Tavernier where you will drop the anchor for the night. On route, make a snorkeling stop south of the Lower Matecumbe Key, facing the Caloosa Cove Marina. Then, ¼ mile south of the Indian Key, you will find buoys marking the site of where the Spanish Galleon San Pedro sank in 1733 due to a hurricane. Finally, facing the south point of the Upper Matecumbe Key, buoys indicate Alligator Reef.
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Day 6 - There are 30 miles to go to reach Caesar's Creek Channel.
Caesar's Creek Channel is your shelter for the night. We suggest that you discover the reefs that you did not have the occasion to visit when going.
- Day 7 - 25 miles between Caesar's Creek and Dinner Key Marina and 34 miles to reach the Miami Beach Marina.
Today, you will sail alongside Elliott Key and will borrow Biscane Channel to enter into Biscane Bay. The Robinsons will choose No Name Harbor (it really does not have a name) which is a small, much protected enclave at the south point of Biscane. Dinner Key Marina (1-305-579.6980) will be the destination of restaurant and atmosphere amateurs. It is within walking distance of Coconut Grove. Or if you prefer to savor the pleasures of South Beach, you can moor the boat at Miami Beach Marina.
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Day 8 - 8 miles between Dinner Key Marina and Miami Beach Marina.
Check-out of the sailboat at around 10 in the morning.
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Race with the dolphins from the stern of the sailboat, swim in the turquoise waters of Biscayne National Park, titillate the multicolored fish of the coral reefs, dive into the depths of a Spanish Galleon, sip a rum and lime at a tiki bar. The Florida Keys: The subtropical dream. 
