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I have not been to Elliot Key for a few years, but there was a boat basin on the bay side near the middle of the island. Many years ago we would beach our boat on the bay side north of the boat basin. There was a narrow beach and the water was shallow. This was a great place to let the kids play on days when the wind was from offshore. But there may be "rules" about beaching a boat now ... seems like there are rules about everything. Check the NPS site for Biscayne National Park.
Elliot Key has a stretch of beach just north of the docks that take you to the Ranger station on the island. The island does allow overnight camping and has bathroom facilities. You are allowed to beach your craft on the island, but it is really shallow and depending on the draft of your vessel it may not be recommended. As you approach the island there is no wake/ idle speed zone a couple hundred yards from shore. Sands cut which is on the north side of the island gets pretty busy on the weekends with 18-30 yr olds partying. Sometimes it does get out of control and not suitable for the young ones. The ranger station on Elliot Key also has a info and artifacts for the kids to check out.
On windy winter days you can pretty much have any spot you want at Elliot Key. But, there aren't many real winter days in Miami, as you probably know. Anytime it's warm, the weather is nice or on weekends, Elliot Key sandy strips get really crowded. However, you can go south of the ranger station and harbor and anchor in about 3 feet of real clear water without being crowded like around the sand bar or the northern section by the docks where there is a strip of sandy beach. I hardly ever anchor north of the docks or around the sand bar. Just too crowded and I find it more enjoyable when I can anchor without another boat being on top of me.
Joe is right, unless you are a glutton for punishment, you should stay south of Ranger station. Between Ranger Station nad Ceasar Creek there depth is 2-4 feet and the water is gin clear. Very few boats around so you can relax without anyone hitting your boat, running over your anchor line or being subject to cr..ppy music.
Joe is right, unless you are a glutton for punishment, you should stay south of Ranger station. Between Ranger Station nad Ceasar Creek there depth is 2-4 feet and the water is gin clear. Very few boats around so you can relax without anyone hitting your boat, running over your anchor line or being subject to cr..ppy music.
I camped at Elliot key last year at spring break with my son and a friend of his for several days. The boys loved it.. The marina is well protected and is a beautiful place for a picnic lunch especially on a beautiful winter day. No or at least less bugs. On weekends it is way to loud and crowded for my taste. Gets crowded on Friday afternoon and stays that way till sundown on Sunday. The campers party late and loud on weekends. I have been there and been the only boat there on a weekday. the approach is very shallow and the water is very clear so it looks even shallower than it is. The approach is straight forward and idle speed. The bottom is sand, sea fans and stuff like that no real hazards that I have seen.
Elliot Key Questions 
