Matecombe Bight on Long Key



After another night of NNW winds of 15+ our batteries were fully charged again, allowing us to watch TV, use the computer, and recharge any 110 gadgets we had. By the time we got up at 6 this morning the wind abated and we had beautiful calm water. Our plan was to pass through Angelfish Creek into Hawk Channel. This is the open water between the Florida Keys and the barrier reefs that run 4 miles offshore along the islands.

Sunset at Pumpkin Key

Angelfish Creek is the last passage through for boats with over 4.5 draft. Over that depth the inside ICW route through Florida Bay is too shallow. We had 2 people confirm that we could make this passage with our 5.5' draft. both said to go at mid to high tide and expect some shallower water at the beginning and at the end. Jane had read the same advice online and in a guidebook. So with lots of confidence we hauled anchor and left our little Pumpkin Key sanctuary and motored about .5 miles to the entrance....exactly at high tide on the inside. The beginning was never less than 2-3 feet under our keel. As Peter motored through the middle of the twisting channel, lined with mangrove on both sides, the depths even reached 10 feet under our keel. We made it through the creek to the 3 pairs of markers that lead you into Hawk Channel. The depth went rapidly from 6' under to .7 feet under. That's only about 8 inches under our boat!!! Yikes, it was definitely an anxious moment because there was no where to turn around or back up. What a relief to finally make it through. On the ocean side we noticed that high tide had passed and the water had dropped about a foot on the marker poles. We never thought to check the tide times on the outside! We will not be repeating that route again. Because the wind prediction was suppose to be 15k again about midnight we traveled another 45 miles to pass under the Channel Five Bridge (65') to anchor inside Florida Bay again. Channel Five Bridge is only one of 2 bridges along the keys that a sailboat can pass through. Since today was Saturday there was a parade of fishing boats all heading out to the reefs to fish. It looked like a fishing competition.



Typical bridge connecting the keys

Along the way we did not see any man o'war jellyfish but lots of dolphins!! We haven't seen them since Ft Lauderdale last November. We saw them splashing about, rounding a school of fish together. We even saw them flipping fish in the air. It was not the typical docile dolphin you usually see. They were definitely hunting with aggression. Today was really warm in the sun and we were able to put full sail out...along with motoring since we had to travel some distance. The winds today were mild and the sea was calm. We are hoping tomorrow will be the same!


Once anchored peter made a hot crab dip which we enjoyed with drinks watching the sun set. Then after a light dinner Jane consulted her galley cookbook and made a type of bananas foster with a left over bunch. Life was very good to us today!