INDIAN KEY / LIGNUM VITAE DESTINATION INFO
Indian Key Anchorage: 24 52.681N, 80 40.807W. Approximate. Protected some in E or NW winds. Exposed to others. 5’ at approx MM 78.2 on US 1. About 25-30 SM N of Marathon (E). Have 3-5 mooring buoys from State Park - check for security if used. They have a small boat/dinghy dock on the west side by the anchorage.
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Indian-Key
Lignum Vitae Anchorage: 24 54.338N, 80 42.194W. Approximate. Protected in all but N & W winds. 5-8’. Have 3-5 mooring buoys from State Park - check for security if used. Can boat around to side of Island at State Dock to take tour at 10am or 2pm - $1 if use own boat. https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Lignumvitae-Key
Indian Key Bridge Clearance: 27’ at high tide, next higher is down to Ch 5 bridge @ Caloosa Cove. This is the crossover from Indian Key to Lignum Vitae - or over to Lorelei Restaurant. Winding, but well marked channel. If you need more than 27’, then Ch 5 bridge is back about 5.6 nm toward Marathon.
Lorelei Anchorage: Lorelei Restaurant / Tiki Bar. 24 55.363N 080 38.169W http://loreleicabanabar.com/
Protected in all but North winds. Directions: From Daymark #84 ICW Gulfside, head 130 degrees. Lorelei is 100 yards North of tower. Can also enter boat basin there and tie up in one part at docks for no charge, if space is available. Otherwise anchorage is right off Tiki bar & docks. Can tie up dinghy. MM 82 on US1 305-664-4656 at Restaurant.
Shell Key Anchorage: 24 55.480N 080 40.215W This Key is gulfside, between Lignum Vitae and the Lorelei restaurant, close to Lignum Vitae. It’s a state owned Bird Sanctuary. You’re not allowed on the island, but you can anchor or moor on it’s North shore and birdwatch. Several mooring buoys are placed there. If you’re spending overnight - always check them for security - they could be loose from storms and give way during the night. There’s no charge for the moorings, but no guarantees either.
Alligator Reef - snorkeling / diving: Roughly 3.5 nm from Indian Key - Oceanside of course.
Other Distances:
Indian Key Anchorage to Lignum Vitae Anchorage - 3.76nm via channel
Lignum Vitae Anchorage to Lorelei Restaurant - 6nm via channels & around Shell Key
Indian Key Anchorage to Channel 5 - 5.6nm (going West (south))
Indian Key Anchorage to Caloosa Cove Marina & Restaurant - 3.69nm+ (but still have to clr channels)
Restaurant/Bar s near Indian Key & Lignum Vitae-
Robbie’s Restaurant - right at highway by Indian Key Anchorage - no bar. Dockage (famous feed the
Tarpon place.) Good breakfasts, & serve lunch & dinner.
Islamorada Fish Company - beside the Worldwide sportsman. MM 81.4. Restaurant & small bar. Anchor out &
dinghy in. Very shallow bay there. Can anchor at the Lorelei anchorage and dinghy in from there with a powered dinghy.
Caloosa Cove Marina, Bar & Rest: approx MM 73.8, 24 50.965N 080 44.268. Tel: 305-664-8057 Marina there - have to check with dockmaster for availability of dockage. No anchorage around there - it’s at channel for Channel 5 bridge. Have Habana Restaurant (previously JP’s) and Safari Lounge (locally known as dead animal bar). Also ship’s store & hardware next door.
CHART: 11449 1 ICW Matecumbe to Grassy Key
*MM refers to mile marker on US Route 1
