The Route: Florida’s East Coast & The Keys

The Great Loop (Winter)
Written By Alison

We're excited to spend some time in the Florida Keys, surrounding areas, and the Bahamas during the winter months.

The remote Dry Tortugas National Park is almost 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West. This 100-square-mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands. The park is known worldwide as the home of Fort Jefferson, panoramic blue waters, coral reefs and marine life, and an extensive assortment of bird life. This park is accessible only by boat or seaplane; if the weather cooperates, we hope to adventure to this area while nearby.

As we make our way up the East Coast of Florida (and during our time in the Bahamas), we'll look for the many cruise ships coming and going from the area. As we skirt in and around the ICW, we'll also experience high pleasure boat traffic on the weekends. The water traffic may lead us to travel on some weekdays so that we can dock on the weekends and explore.

Alison

Alison Major is an experienced sailor and the founder of Loop Life Academy, dedicated to helping families navigate the adventures of America's Great Loop. With over a decade of remote work experience leading international technology and software engineering teams, Alison brings her expertise to the nautical world. Living full-time aboard a 2005 Beneteau 423 with her husband, Chris, and their two children, she has sailed over 7,000 nautical miles. An educator and lifelong learner, Alison teaches Software Architecture to graduate students and passionately shares practical cruising insights and homeschooling resources for nomadic families exploring the waterways of the Eastern United States.

https://svfika.com
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