#IslamoradaSailing, Snorkeling, Fishing, #FossilMining?

#catamaransailingfloridakeys #islamoradasailing #fossilmining

A popular destination from Port of the Islands is the Florida Keys. The marina favorite is Islamorado. Anchoring on the gulf side (we recommend Ocean View Resort & Sports Pub – best Karaoke on the island) , you still have easy access to all the island offers. If you like fossils, it’s an easy walk to the Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park, where you can view and learn about fossil mining. It was a former quarry used by Henry Flagler in the early 1900s to help his building of the Overseas Railroad.
https://www.floridastateparks.org/WindleyKey

Of course, we paid a visit to the Bass Pro Shop, explored the Hemingway PILAR replica, fished along the way, and explored the various mangroves and creeks.

One calm day, we even dinghied over to the ocean side for some snorkeling at Cheeca Rocks, a shallow 6-12 feet coral reef located within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. It lies approximately one mile to the southeast of Upper Matecumbe Key within a Sanctuary Preservation Area.

And of course, since we were in crystal clear water, we fit in some diving on the boat to do some repairs and check the keel damage, as well as some helm work replacing an incorrectly sized clutch block.

TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro – Islamorada Florida sailing and cruising
0:10 Sailing to Florida Keys
0:41 Islamorada anchorage
1:00 Bass Pro Shop Hemingway’s PILAR replica
1:55 Fishing Lessons for Joanna
4:33 Captain Larry’s Trail
4:50 Cheeca Rocks Snorkeling. Man o War Swimming
5:18 Fossil Mining History at Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park
5:20 Boat Repairs – keel damage inspection – Crab pot line around props – 71 degree water cold immersion therapy – Shallow water anchoring dangers
8:04 Fuel gauge not working
8:34 Sail drive zinc replacement with Brownie air compressor and a Honey Baked Ham Sandwich !
10:59 Clutch block replacement for Bill

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Blue Dot Voyages is a Sailing Adventure Company. On our Leopard48 Sailing Catamaran PILAR, we sail, fish, snorkel, scuba, and we offer travel advice on our blog and vlog. We offer charter sailing experience trips when we can. Watch our videos and live vicariously through us!

Master Captain: Stephen Bell
First Officer: Dawn Bell