Leg 4 - Florida Keys, Key West to Key Largo

3/18/24 - 3/30/24

119 Miles

A quick ride from Everglades City to Key West. We reached our southern most destination on the Loop! Key West is always a fun time, when you land on St. Patrick's Day it takes on a whole new meaning! There are no shortage of marinas in the Key West area, we like Galleon Marina. Within walking distance of the Harbor Walk, Mallory Square, endless bars and restaurants its a good option to consider if you want to swing into Key West for a short visit or longer. From Key West we traveled north up the keys bouncing between the Gulf and Atlantic sides.

Galleon Marina neighbor, Slainte.

Perfect companion for our St. Patrick's Day visit!

Gorgeous collection of historical schooners in Key West Harbor.

If you can get in, breakfast at Pepe's is the very best!

Iconic Key West breakfast, lunch and happy hour.

Running continuously since 1909. Its so fun and so good!

Picking up some snorkeling fins, we got to meet Maxine.

A beautiful parrot, she said nothing until we left than it was a chirp goodbye!

Hard to beat a Key West Sunset.

Mallory Square is Sunset Central.

That's it - Southernmost Point of the Continental US.

We did a quick swing by as we left. Bye bye Key West!

Marathon, mid keys was our next stop. While in Marathon we stayed in two different marinas; Marlin Bay and Safe Harbor Marathon. Marlin Bay is on the Gulf side of the Keys and Safe Harbor Marathon a quick trip under the 7 Mile Bridge to the Atlantic side of the Keys. Both great options in the area. Marlin Bay is a luxury resort and marina, Safe Harbor is a more traditional marina with luxury amenities!

An ideal slip assignment at Marlin Bay.

The luxurious Marlin Bay Pool and Clubhouse.

Marlin Bay Pool looking out from the Clubhouse.

Marlin Bay's lovely Mariners Lounge.

Good place to hang out if you need some time off the boat.

We loved their morning coffee setup:)

Marathon's thriving fishing economy.

Key Fisheries, the last of the great fish houses from the 1950s.

Today Keys Fisheries is the number one processor of stone crab and lobster in Florida.

Go early, the lines are long everyday, every minute they are open!

Known for the Grouper Reuben - it held up to its reputation as well as the old stand by

Snapper Sandwich!

Marlin Bay has some fun Beach Cruisers!

Marathon - Mid Key Sunset

Happy to reunite with Looper Pals from Brand New Day, docktails, dinners and sunsets! We spent many a weeks together at Kilbear Marina in Perry Sound, Ontario on Georgian Bay last August while we both waited out delayed boat repairs. One of the best parts of the Great Loop adventure is the amazing fellow Loopers, now friends, we have met along the way!

Safe Harbor Marathon was a short ride under the 7 Mile Bridge to the Atlantic side. Safe Harbor Marathon is full service marina with many great amenities, fantastic community spaces, mariners lounge and waterside pool.

Thatch roofs mark the many buildings across the marina.

We had some wild weather for a few days, high winds and big rain.

Bad weather is good for trip planning.

Fun outdoor chess set.

Not a lot of sleep after the big wind and rain we needs a

good old fashion diner breakfast at 7 mile Diner.

Safe Harbor Marathon Pool

Storms be gone, another great sunset.

Our last night with Brand New Day, fun dinner at Castaways,

a Guy Fieri Dinners and Divers restaurant!

Until we meet again!

Captain Walt back at the helm. Next up Ocean Reef in Key Largo.

Happily we made a visit to friends in Ocean Reef, a private community in Key Largo. For 4 days Coast took a break while we stayed with friends in their condo. Golf, walks, dinners, a birthday party and lots of laughs!