Florida Keys
The Keys. Within this 100-mile-long stretch of islands, you will find world-class offshore and inshore fishing, numerous reefs and wrecks for snorkeling and diving, tropical sandbars, and warm, gin-clear water that’s incredibly inviting. In addition, you’ll find a long list of waterfront watering holes and dining options to choose from, and diversity within each community that’s sure to satisfy the homebody or the party-goer.
Jupiter/Palm Beach
Perhaps the nicest place on the east coast of Florida is the Jupiter/Palm Beach area. This location seems to have the right mix of everything, from amazing offshore and inshore fishing, to crystal clear water and an incredibly close proximity to the Gulf Stream, as well as easy access to the northern Bahamas.
In addition, you’ll find a few sandbars for relaxing and lots of sightseeing along the Intracoastal Waterway, especially along Palm Beach and Jupiter Island. The Palm Beach Inlet is one of the safest passages on the east coast, and the Jupiter Inlet is, possibly, the most beautiful due to its crystal-clear water and famous lighthouse backdrop.
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is a fantastic place to boat that’s loaded with options. Boaters can fish the vast bay or go offshore, or A day cruise to Downtown St. Pete or Downtown Tampa. They can also visit a number of spectacular islands and spend the day relaxing. Locations like Caladesi Island, Egmont Key, Passage Key, or Beer Can Island (inside Tampa Bay) offer visitors lots of choices and miles of secluded shoreline and sandbars to drop the anchor.
The high energy and active culture of this region provide additional benefits. You can even dress as a pirate and join hundreds of other boats as you invade Tampa during the annual Gasparilla Weekend.
Fort Lauderdale/Miami
This area is the most popular area for boating in the world. Fort Lauderdale offers an endless amount of canal-front living and sightseeing, as well as a downtown that’s really fun to visit. Here, you’ll also find everything you need to service your boat or yacht. While Fort Lauderdale doesn’t offer many inshore locations to relax, Miami does.
With its iconic skyline serving as a backdrop, Miami is a boater’s paradise. Sandbars like Haulover and Nixon Beach are very popular, while South Beach and Coconut Grove offer incredible nightlife. Warm tropical waters, incredible inshore and offshore fishing, and its proximity to Bimini and the Florida Keys are major advantages of this area.