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Boot
Key
Harbor An On-Line
Cruising Guide for the Florida Keys & Cuba |
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Everglades National Park
The lodge is open year round with 103
comfortable, air-conditioned rooms and 24 cottages with kitchen facilities, plus
the swimming pool overlooking Florida Bay. The Restaurant overlooks Florida Bay
and numerous keys. It features an extensive
Everglades National Park: Flamingo Lodge is in the
middle of the Everglades National Park, with a Park Ranger Station located at
the Lodge. The Everglades are protected under 36 CFR-7.45 . Park Boundaries are
marked on the nautical charts, but cover a considerable portion of Florida Bay,
coming within a mile or two of the Upper Keys down to about Long Key. The
killing, collecting or molesting of animals, the collecting of plants, and
waterskiing are prohibited by Federal Regulations. For the protection of
wildlife, all Keys in the Florida Bay portion of Everglades National Park are
closed to landing except those marked as designated camping areas. A backcountry
use permit is required for overnight camping and can be obtained at part Ranger
Stations. Very nice beaches line the South shore of the Florida peninsula from
Cape Sable eastward toward Flamingo. The water is very shallow far out from
these beaches though, so anchor and dinghy or walk in. There’s not much
protection though in bad weather except for Flamingo marina. Airboats, swamp
buggies, Jet Skis and all-terrain vehicles are not permitted in the Everglades
park. Firearms and hunting are prohibited. Metal detectors are prohibited.
Pets must be leashed in the parks and are not allowed on trails or the amphitheaters
(besides, you don't want
At left, Shark Valley is known for its observation tower, lots of alligators and a two hour tram tour. Located at the north end of the everglades.
Fishing in salt or freshwater requires a Florida fishing license. The saltwater license is sold in the park, but not the freshwater. Swimming in everglades waters is not recommended for obvious reasons. Alligators tend to eat things like children, pets and sometimes adults. They look sluggish but can move quite quickly. Four types of poisonous snakes are found in S. Florida including diamondback and pygmy rattlesnakes, coral snakes (red, black, yellow rings) and water moccasins that swim on the surface. Bug spray is a must. Enjoy, but pay attention.
Swimming in the everglades to scrub your waterline is not
recommended. Alligators tend to eat things like pets, small children, and the
occasional boater. Wilderness Waterway: The wilderness waterway extends throughout the Everglades. Buttonwood canal from Flamingo Lodge leads directly into the waterway and is good for exploration by dinghy. This waterway goes on for miles and can become complex. . Take a VHF radio and bug spray if you go. Don’t get lost. Navigation of the Wilderness Waterway is not advisable for boats over 18 feet in length or for boats with high cabins and windshields, because of the narrow channels and overhanging foliage in some areas. For additional information use charts 11433, 11432 and 11430. It's about 17nm from Flamingo marina, up the wilderness waterway to Little Shark River. Navigation: Approximately 30nm NNE of Marathon in the
Middle Keys. Starting at the Oceanside of the 7 mile bridge, by Knights Key
channel, by the new R19 daymark below Bethel Bank, it’s a heading of about
009M and approximately 21.4nm to the R2 mark just West of 1st
National Bank Shoal. You’ll turn to starboard (East) here following the
channel below middle ground into Flamingo - about another 7nm into the Flamingo
Lodge & Marina. It’s not a straight shot so pay attention to the Daymarks
and then follow the Flamingo Channel in for about 1nm.
Charts: Waypoints from Marathon: Flamingo Lodge
itself (not for navigation) 25.08.554N 080.55.364W CLICK HERE for a chart view of Flamingo & the approach Channel. SIDE TRIPS: The Little Shark River and Tarpon Bay (about 15 miles up into the Everglades) are not far from Flamingo and make a good side trip for a couple days or so. |
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Boot Key Harbor website created and maintained by Capt. Gregory
T. Absten, Marathon. - A Boater's Guide to the Florida Keys & Cuba |
Flamingo Lodge is almost directly
North of Marathon, in the middle of Everglades National Park. It has a marina,
lodge, restaurant and covered swimming pool. Phone is 941-695-3101 ext 245 (or
800-600-3813). Guy
Leach runs the Marina (08/00). However, slip reservations are made through the
Activities Desk at ext 286. Guests can also drive to the Flamingo Lodge by
turning West at the one main intersection in Florida City off US1. Signs mark
the way to the Everglades National Park. Because of mosquitoes, winter is the
best time to visit, but is workable from about November through May. The
swimming pool and facilities are well screened.
menu
of seafood, steak, chicken, vegetarian dishes and local specialties. The bar
serves exotic concoctions including the Flamingo Sunset,
Rumrunner and a Coco Loco. From November to April, breakfast, lunch and dinner
are served. During the summer season continental breakfast is available for
lodge guests, and light meals, sandwiches and salads are available at the marina
store. The Buttonwood patio serves pizza, salad, sandwiches, and tropical
drinks. It's open from December to April. Flamingo Lodge accommodations are
clean and comfortable; most rooms offer great views of the surrounding scenery.
the
alligators to eat them).