Waiting for our Window in Key Biscayne, Florida

In early December this year, the S/V Wanderlust crew were ready and willing to take our adventure international by making the big Gulf Stream crossing over to the Bahamas. But the weather was not cooperating. We were experiencing winds from the wrong direction, high seas, and all around bad travel conditions. Stuck in Florida, we chose an anchorage that would be the best departure point for whenever our weather finally cleared up.

That anchorage was No Name Harbor, in Key Biscayne, Florida. The distance from Key Biscayne to Bimini in the Bahamas is one of the shortest possible crossings of the Gulf Stream at only about 50 miles, so as beginners, it was the obvious choice for us to make our crossing.

Although slightly boring, No Name Harbor had some cool things to offer. We took advantage of the surroundings as much as possible while waiting for our weather window to Bimini.

One wonderful thing about No Name Harbor is that it is surrounded by a gorgeous state park. The park was perfect to walk with Ruca under the tropical trees and let her chase lizards and other critters. However, dogs aren’t allowed on the beach. Ruca was bummed, since she loves swimming, but we still enjoyed walking the nature trails and hanging in the pavilions.

We liked cruising in the dinghy, fishing or looking at local wildlife. We kept our eye out for sharks, as No Name Harbor is known habitat for them, but unfortunately (or fortunately?) we didn’t spot any.

Also interesting in No Name Harbor was the close proximity to an area called “Stiltsville.” Stiltsville is a small group of buildings constructed on stilts just outside the harbor in the shallows. All abandoned now, the buildings still stand in the middle of the water from the 1930’s. They used to house bait shops, and other small businesses.

We cruised around in the dinghy to take a look at the structures, and were slightly creeped out but mostly intrigued by the mystery of how these buildings were constructed in the middle of the ocean, in the early century.

We killed time here, and if in the same area again, we would probably choose the same anchorage as the holding was good and the harbor was dog friendly. The truth is, the whole time in No Name Harbor, our minds were in the Bahamas.

Next stop, Bimini!

Thanks for reading,

Quinn, Ben and Ruca

#destinations #Florida