April 6, Ft Lauderdale, Fl

We left Coral Bay Marina in Islamarada and motored northeast through the Florida Bay using the inside passage known as the 'Intercoastal Waterway' (ICW). After about one hour underway we were boarded by the Coast Guard for a 'routine safety inspection'. One young man and one young lady in uniform with sidearms. They checked all our safety equipment, black water discharge system and took all our identifying info. Everything was 'ship shape'. Whole inspection took about 15 minutes. Two more armed officers remained in their boat standing about 30 yards away.



The ICW route here is relatively protected and includes Florida Bay, Card Sound, Barnes Sound and then heading north, Biscayne Bay. After about 60 miles of easy travel we traveled under the Rickenbacker Causeway (bridge to Key Biscayne) where we entered the Miami River and cruised right next to the large high rise buildings that make the downtown Miami skyline. No cruise ships in port today.




Container ship in Miami.

Ship designed to carry yachts to distant ports,

We continued north through the Intercoastal Waterway, past Baker's Haulover inlet and through Hollywood and Dania (lots of highrises, neat cruising) to Port Everglades in Ft Lauderdale. Lots of mega yachts here! Then through the Ft Lauderdale Beach waterway (lots of mega yachts here, too) to the Las Olas Marina which is part of the City of Ft Lauderdale Marina program. Here we are just under the Las Olas Bridge on the north side and a short walk to the beach. Total run today was 80 miles.

After docking we found 'PERFECT REMEDY' with Fred and Sharon Clarkson already here along with several other 'loopers'. We met the Clarkson's on our loop last year in Panama City and then saw them several more times along the way. Clarkson's have come from Clearwater and are making the trip around south Florida in reverse of the trip we are making. They're heading south from here to Miami and then the Keys and then home. Sorry we missed hosting them in Stuart as they passed through. Good to see old friends on the waterway.

Several other looper boat are here and will be heading north from here for the summer. Boats doing the 'loop' this year will all be heading north soon.

We finished the day with a nice dinner near the beach.