Miami To Key Largo
Ambler Isle
V and S
Fri 5 Jun 2009 15:28
June 2, 2009
Leaving Miami from Biscayne Bay, we exited the cut and were in the Atlantic Ocean. It was a bit rolly, but ok. We headed to our old favorite, the uninhabited Rodgrigues Key. It provides a shelter and is near Key Largo. Snorkel boats run in and out of the harbor, taking swimmers to view the beautiful reefs at Pennecamp State Park. That afternoon, we dinghied into the Mandalay Tiki Bar and Restaurant. Our waitress, Frosty, served us cold beer and we ordered Ahi Sushi Tuna and coconut shrimp. After our light supper, we walked up to U.S. Hwy 1 to visit the shell shop. It was good to walk after being on the boat. Back at the Tiki Bar, we listened to live music and chatted with a local man. Back to the Amber Isle, we planned a snorkel trip on Pickles Reef. Just outside the Park boundaries, we could take our spears. But the morning proved too rough, so we skipped the swim and lifted the anchor to move south west to Marathon. The Hawks Channel, usually very calm, was rolly, too. We opted to go inside the Florida Bay. Charted at 7-8' most places, we found only 5-6' even in the marked channel.