Boat Ramps In The Keys: Open For Business?

The Florida Keys is a popular destination for boating, fishing, snorkelling, and diving. There are several boat ramps in the Florida Keys, including in Key Largo, Key West, and Big Pine Key. Some boat ramps are free for Monroe County residents, while others charge a small fee. It's important to note that boating in the Florida Keys can be challenging for first-time visitors due to shallow island waters. Additionally, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary aims to protect the surrounding waters and the unique resources they offer, such as coral reefs, shipwrecks, and seagrass beds.

Boat ramp locations in the Upper Keys

There are several boat ramp locations in the Upper Keys. Here is a list of some of them:

• John Pennekamp State Park Boat Ramp: This ramp is located at US-1 Mile Marker 102.5 in Key Largo, Florida. It offers four launching lanes, courtesy docks, pavilions, picnic areas, and restrooms.
• Card Sound East Boat Ramp: Found 1.1 miles east of the Monroe County Toll Booth on Card Sound Road/CR 905A. The ramp is on the left when heading south/east.
• Card Sound West Boat Ramp: This ramp is located just east of the Monroe County Toll Booth on Card Sound Road/CR 905A. The ramp is on the right when heading south/east.
• Harry Harris Boat Ramp: This ramp is located near Mile Marker 92.6, with the closest intersection being Dove Lake Drive & East Beach Road in Tavernier, FL. There is a small launching fee at this location.
• Sunset Point Park Boat Ramp: The closest intersection is Overseas Highway & Sunset Road in Key Largo, FL. The ramp is 2/10ths of a mile down Sunset Road from the intersection. This ramp offers a single launching lane and five designated boat trailer parking spaces.
• Indian Key Fill Boat Ramp: This ramp is located at approximately Mile Marker 78.5 on the Bayside. It is currently closed until further notice.
• Gilbert's Resort Marina Boat Ramp: This ramp is located at 107900 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL. It has one lane and offers unpaved parking for 20 vehicles. There is a fee to launch.
• Caribbean Club Boat Ramp: Found at Mile Marker 104 on Overseas Highway in Anglers Park, Key Largo, FL. It has one lane and unpaved parking for 35 vehicles. There is a fee to launch.
• Manatee Creek Boat Ramp: Located on US-1, just north of Morris Ave in Key Largo, FL. It has two lanes and unpaved parking for eight vehicles. No fee is required, and the hours are from 6 am to an unspecified closing time.
• Mike Forster Memorial Park Boat Ramp: This ramp is located at 102050 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL.

Boat ramp locations in the Middle Keys

There are several boat ramp locations in the Middle Keys. Here is a list of some of them:

33rd Street Boat Ramp

Located near the intersection of US 1 and 33rd Street in Marathon, this ramp is just 2/10ths of a mile from the intersection, between Mile Markers 48 and 49 on the bayside. It is well-maintained and offers dock space for loading supplies. Parking and restrooms are available, and there is 24/7 access. The City of Marathon has placed a payment kiosk at the ramp.

North Marathon Shores Public Boat Ramp

This ramp is situated at the intersection of Aviation Boulevard and Harbor Drive in Marathon. It offers a single-lane ramp and a courtesy dock, with limited parking available.

Crawl Key Boat Ramp

You can find this ramp at 13333 Overseas Highway in Marathon, between Mile Markers 53 and 54 on the Gulf side. It features a single-lane ramp and a courtesy dock, with parking available for about 10 boat trailers.

Harbour Point Marina Boat Ramp

The Harbour Point Marina Boat Ramp is located at 4681 Overseas Highway, Mile Marker 50. Please note that there is no parking available at this location.

Grassy Key Marina

Grassy Key Marina is located on US-1, MM 54, Bayside, in Marathon. It offers easy access to the Gulf side fishing and Atlantic side fishing.

In addition to these locations, there are also boat ramps in Duck Key, Ramrod Key, and Conch Key, which are all part of the Middle Keys region.

Boat ramp locations in the Lower Keys

Boat ramps in the Lower Keys are open to the public. Here are some boat ramp locations in the Lower Keys:

• Bahia Honda State Park Boat Ramp: 36850 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key, Florida 33043. This boat ramp offers two launching lanes, courtesy docks, about 30 paved boat trailer parking spaces, picnic areas, and restrooms.
• Cudjoe Key Boat Ramp: Between Mile Markers 21 and 22, at the north end of Blimp Road, Cudjoe Key, FL 33042. This ramp is between Mile Markers 21 and 22 on the Gulf side. It offers shoulder parking only and is best accessed at high tide.
• Gulf Crest Park: Corner of Barcelona Street and Del Mar Boulevard, Big Coppitt Key, FL 33045. This boat ramp is also known as Gulf View Park and is located at the north end of Barcelona Drive in Big Coppitt Key.
• Koehn Avenue Boat Ramp: North end of Koehn Avenue, Big Pine Key, FL 33043. This ramp is located at Mile Marker 30.8 and offers a single-lane gravel ramp in need of repair, with minimal parking along the roadway. No other amenities are available at this location.
• Little Duck Key Boat Ramp: South of the Seven Mile Bridge on the Gulf side, Little Duck Key, FL 33050. This boat ramp is located at Mile Marker 40 and offers a single-lane ramp, a courtesy dock, and 10 paved boat trailer parking spaces.
• Shark Key Boat Ramp: Overseas Highway and Boca Chica Road, Key West, FL 33040. This ramp is located three-tenths of a mile north on Overseas Highway from the intersection of Overseas Highway and Boca Chica Road. It offers a single-lane ramp, no courtesy docks, and parking for approximately 10 boat trailers. No other amenities are available at this location.
• Simonton Street Boat Ramp: Intersection of Simonton Street and Front Street, Key West, FL 33040. This boat ramp offers single-lane launching, a courtesy dock, and four paved boat trailer parking spaces near the ramp.
• Spanish Harbor Wayside Park Boat Ramp: Between Mile Markers 33 and 34 on the Gulf side, Big Pine Key, FL 33043. This boat ramp is located between Mile Markers 33 and 34 on the Gulf side and offers a paved ramp, concrete abutments on both sides of the ramp, and five boat trailer parking spaces. No other amenities are available at this location.
• State Road 4A Boat Ramp: Little Torch Key, FL 33042. This boat ramp is located on State Road 4A in Little Torch Key.
• Stock Island Boat Ramp: Overseas Highway and Key Haven Road, Stock Island, FL 33040. This boat ramp is located between Mile Markers 5 and 6 on the Gulf side.

Boating tips for the Florida Keys

Boating in the Florida Keys can be complicated, especially if it's your first time navigating shallow island waters. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects the surrounding waters, so it's important to be mindful of the unique environment and wildlife. Here are some boating tips to help you navigate the Florida Keys safely and responsibly:

Know the Area

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary extends from south of Miami westward to the Dry Tortugas, excluding Dry Tortugas National Park. It's home to coral reefs, shipwrecks, seagrass beds, and fisheries that support a variety of commercial and recreational activities. The waters are shallow, so be mindful of the environment and wildlife, and steer clear of seagrass beds to avoid damage.

Use Mooring Buoys

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary maintains mooring buoys to protect the coral reef. These 18-inch-diameter blue-striped buoys are free to use on a first-come, first-served basis. When tying off to a mooring buoy, approach slowly from downwind or downcurrent, keeping the buoy on the same side as your helm station for visibility. Safely retrieve the yellow pickup line with a boat hook, and remember to put your vessel in neutral to avoid entanglement.

Practice Good Seamanship

Maintain a safe distance from other boaters, fishermen, and divers. Do not troll over or near divers, and stay at least 100 feet away from a diver-down flag. Keep boating speeds and noise to a minimum, especially near isolated mangroves and diving areas. Slow down to idle speed when in a diving area.

Know the Regulations

It is illegal to dump trash at sea, and all trash, including fishing gear and plastic debris, should be retrieved and properly disposed of on shore. Personal watercraft and airboats are prohibited in all National Parks and Wildlife Refuges in the Florida Keys. Florida law requires a fishing license, and size, bag, and catch limits must be observed. Do not throw fish carcasses or wrung lobsters overboard, as they can degrade water quality.

Be Prepared

Before embarking on your boating trip, check weather conditions and ensure your boat is properly maintained. Inspect your water pump, fuel filter, batteries, trailer, and life-saving equipment. Check the tide and navigational charts to avoid accidental groundings, which can damage coral reefs and seagrass beds. Remember, "Brown, brown, run aground. Blue, blue, sail on through."

Respect Wildlife

The Florida Keys are home to diverse wildlife, including birds, fish, and invertebrates. Avoid disturbing or harassing marine life, and do not touch, handle, or feed them. Keep your distance, especially in very shallow areas and at entry and exit points. Remember, you are a guest in their home.

Boating rules and regulations in the Florida Keys

Boating in the Florida Keys is a popular activity, with thousands of boaters visiting each year to fish, dive, snorkel, kayak and paddleboard. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which has been in place since 1981, works to protect the fragile ecosystems of the area, including coral reefs, shipwrecks, seagrass beds and fisheries.

There are several boat ramps available for public use in the Florida Keys, with Monroe County listing eight free-to-use ramps for county residents. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary also provides a system of mooring buoys to help protect the coral reef. These buoys are free to use and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

To help preserve the natural environment, there are several boating rules and regulations in place in the Florida Keys. A free online boater education course is available to teach boaters about the local environment and how to navigate it responsibly. The course covers topics such as what to do if you accidentally ground your boat in seagrass, how to navigate the backcountry, and where to anchor safely.

Other boating rules and regulations in the Florida Keys include:

• Boating accidents must be reported to the relevant authorities if they involve death, disappearance, the requirement for immediate first aid, or more than $2,000 in damages.
• It is illegal to dump trash at sea, and boaters are encouraged to retrieve any fishing gear and equipment, as well as any trash they see in the water.
• Campfires and camping are prohibited on all National Wildlife Refuges in the Florida Keys.
• Personal watercraft and airboats are prohibited in all National Parks and Wildlife Refuges in the area.
• Boaters must maintain a safe distance from fishermen and divers, staying at least 100 feet away from a diver down flag.
• Florida law requires a fishing license for fishing, and size, bag limits, and seasons must be observed when harvesting seafood.
• Boaters should use reef mooring buoys where possible, and otherwise anchor in sandy areas away from coral and seagrass.
• Boaters must be aware of shallow areas and steer clear to avoid accidental groundings, which can damage coral and seagrass.
• Boaters should keep speeds and noise to a minimum, especially near isolated mangroves and diving areas.
• All vessels must have a Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD) for everyone on board, with additional requirements for children under 16 and passengers under six.
• All vessels must also carry a Coast Guard Type IV throwable device, such as a ring buoy or a horseshoe-shaped buoy.
• Motorized vessels in Florida cannot be operated by anyone under the age of 14, and anyone renting a motorized vessel must be over 18.
• All motor-powered vessels that are more than 16 feet in length must be registered within 30 days at the county tax collector's office, and the registration number must be painted on both sides of the vessel.

Frequently asked questions