Anchorage Areas

Anchorage Areas

There is a large anchorage area south of the main Harbor channel, between Sister Creek and the Boot Key Bridge. In an East or Northeasterly wind, good protection can be found on the West side of Boot Key, just outside and to the south of the West entrance to the Harbor.

Mooring Balls and Information

The City mooring field occupies most of Boot Key Harbor, North and East of the main Harbor channel. It consists of 226 permanently attached, engineered mooring systems that provide secure holding for vessels up to 60’ in length. Since very little scope is required, more vessels can be accommodated within the same space as compared with a traditional anchorage. This increases the overall Harbor capacity and eliminates crossed-lines, flaring tempers and other ills associated with over-crowded anchorages.

Renting a Ball

Vessels wishing to acquire a mooring ball must contact the City marina upon entry into Boot Key Harbor. Moorings are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; there are no reservations. If all mooring balls are occupied, customers may place their name on a waiting list by coming in-person to the Marina office. Vessels will be assigned based on mooring availability and vessel length. 211 moorings have a maximum vessel length of 45′, while 15 moorings allow for vessels up to 60’.

Canal Dockage Information

Vessels wishing to dock in the City marina canal must contact the marina upon entry into Boot Key Harbor. Dockage is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; there are no reservations. If all dockage is occupied, or a vessel is too large for the space available, customers may place their name on a waiting list by coming in-person to the Marina office.

Assignments will be based on dockage availability and vessel length. Insurance coverage of at least $300,000 is required for overnight dockage in the City marina canal.

 Dinghy Dockage Information

Dinghy dockage is available at the north end of the City Marina canal and just south of the marina office building. There is a signpost indicating separate areas for hard and soft dinghies. Painters must be 4′ to 6′ in order maximize dockage capacity. A section of dock in the soft dinghy area has been marked as accessible for our disabled customers regardless of dinghy type (if you are not disabled, please refrain from using this space unless no other is available).

Use of the dinghy dock is free for mooring ball and canal dockage customers. Harbor guests at anchor may also use the dinghy dock for a fee. All dinghy dock users must register at the Marina office and receive a tag that must be displayed on the vessel at all times.

Full-time liveaboards only.  NO WET STORAGE

Additional Anchorage Areas

The City recognizes that there are times when a fast approaching storm or nightfall descends upon the mariner and an anchorage area is a welcome sight. There are several established areas where traditionally the cruiser has dropped anchor in the City waters for a comfortable stay. The following areas are intended for short term transient use only and are serviced by the City pump out boats called upon demand. The entire Florida Keys are a designated “No Discharge Zone” and as such, we ask that you close and seal your sanitary through hull discharge fittings during your stay in these waters.

GPS coordinates for reference only, not for navigation

Bone Fish Bay Anchorage
24.43.895 N
81.00.681 W

The most protected harbor in the City is Boot Key Harbor at the west end of the City.  At the east end located between Grassy Key and the City of Key Colony Beach on the Atlantic side of the Keys is Bone Fish Bay. The entrance is well marked by day markers with a controlling depth of 6 ft. Shoaling and winding channels occur at the entrance so it is a good idea to use high angle light on the first trip in and out. There is a long canal that takes you into the well protected harbor. The amenities are sparse, most of the landing ground is privately owned. There is a seafood market, outboard repair shops, a boat yard with a wheeled open end boat lift, and a convenience store within walking distance. The boat yard allows dinghy customers to access uplands.

Boot Key West Anchorage
24.41.805 N
81.07.095 W

The only other anchorage located on the Atlantic side of Marathon is on the west side of Boot Key south of the entrance to Boot Key Harbor.  This anchorage is best in the lee of the island with a prevailing southeast and easterly wind to the northeast. The anchorage provides a quick getaway on a cruise or a chance to find air on calm evenings. There is good holding ground and consistent depth contours. Three great restaurants, a marine store, two boat yards, and three fuel docks/stores are within a short dinghy ride from this anchorage.

Tranquility Bay Anchorage
24.42.766 N
81.06.184 W

Half way between the Coast Guard Base and the Marathon Yacht Club on the north side or Gulf side of the City is a beautiful anchorage for all but strong northerly breezes. This area is not well protected but affords good anchoring with south winds. There is good holding ground and consistent depths throughout the area. You can dine at several waterfront restaurants in this area.

Vaca Cut Gulfside Anchorage
24.44.023 N
81.01.276 W

Just to the east of the entrance to the Vaca Cut Channel, Gulfside, between the Quay Restaurant and the Island Tiki Bar and Restaurant is a small anchorage suitable for the overnight stop along the inter-coastal waterway. This anchorage has good holding ground, is protected from all but north to northeasterly winds. There is an on-the-water restaurant within a dinghy row away.