Starting your boat trip from Flamingo, nestled in the heart of Everglades National Park, offers a unique blend of solitude and nature. As you embark on this journey to Boynton Beach, you're set for an adventure filled with stunning sceneries and memorable stops.
Leaving Flamingo, you'll navigate the waters of Florida Bay. It's crucial to pay attention to your charts here, as the bay is dotted with shallow areas and shifting sandbars that require careful planning and navigation. I recommend ensuring your GPS and depth sounders are functioning well, and you might find an app like savvy navvy particularly useful to chart your course accurately and avoid hazards.
Once clear of Flamingo, heading northeast, you'll start your passage through the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), which will safely shepherd you up the Florida coast. The ICW is a famed route that's well-marked, but it's vital to remain vigilant: keep an eye on the channel markers—remember “Red Right Returning” when coming from the sea—and be aware of recreational and commercial traffic, particularly near Key Biscayne and other bustling areas.
As you continue northward, you'll encounter Biscayne Bay. This area is not only renowned for its aquatic beauty but also for its sheltered anchorages, making it an excellent spot should the weather turn bad. Crandon Park is a lovely stopover with mooring facilities and striking vistas of Miami’s skyline.
Further along, you'll pass through Miami’s busy waterways. Here, maintain strong situational awareness: bridges require close attention—they have specific opening schedules and height restrictions, which you need to plan for in advance. Keep your VHF radio tuned to the local bridge tender channels for the latest updates.
Continuing your journey, sailing past Fort Lauderdale offers a chance to dock and explore if you fancy a break. The Venice of America boasts canals lined with beautiful homes and yachts, complemented by waterside eateries and shops.
As you approach the Boynton Beach area, there are a few notable spots to highlight. Lantana offers a delightful stopover with an old Florida charm and marinas to accommodate your vessel. Point of interest here is the Snook Islands Natural Area, an excellent place for those inclined towards kayaking or birdwatching.
For the entire route, adherence to the slower "No Wake" zones is a must, as these protect both maritime life and properties along the coastline. Also, keep a handy eye on weather updates to anticipate any shifts that may affect the passage, ensuring you have a few pre-planned exits for anchoring, such as the sheltered waters off Key Biscayne or Lake Worth Lagoon.
In conclusion, this voyage from Flamingo to Boynton Beach is ideal for boaters who appreciate a journey as much as the destination. The trip marries the Florida coast’s natural grandeur with exciting nautical challenges, perfect for enthusiastic sailors ready to embrace both tranquility and adventure, always thrusting safety as the helm of the journey.