When you think Miami, you think Miami Vice, Little Havana, the Dolphins, the Heat and Miami Beach. Miami Beach is one of those special places where boating is more than a luxury, it’s a way of life.

Miami Beach Marina is popular with local and transient yachtsmen alike. If you don’t own a boat, they have rentals, casual and fine dining hotels nearby.

If you visit the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center you’ll see a 36′ sculpture titled “Sailfish in Three Stages of Ascending” by artist Kent Ullberg. The Fort Lauderdale work of art also features a marlin, turtles, wahoo and dolphin. To see more photos of this work visit the Broward County Cultural page.

If you’ve been in the Florida Keys and haven’t visited Robbie’s of Islamorada you’re missing out on a view of tarpon that all Florida Keys fishermen dream of. It’s the scene of a 100 lb. tarpon jumping straight up with gills flaring and head a shakin.

And you get to see it very close up, while you feed the tarpon by hand. That’s me while I’m starting to look at the camera, the tarpon is about to inhale the small frozen Spanish sardine that Robbie’s sells to unsuspecting Islamorada tourists.

Robbie’s also has a nice little bar and a restaurant that serves local seafood. There’s an open air market with art, jewelry, clothing and other tropical necessities. Fishing charters can take you to catch your own tarpon and snorkel charters will take you to the reef for a complete day on the water.

Key West Bight along with Garrison Bight are two popular marinas in Key West. The Marina offers charter boats for fishing, diving, snorkeling and cruising.

From Duval Street, take Greene Street northeast three blocks to the marina area. There are lots of shops, bars and restaurants like Commodore Waterfront Restaurant to enjoy while you’re there.

The Jolly Rover is one of the sailing ships offering sunset cruises from the marina.

One building that stands out when visiting Miami’s South Beach is Portofino Tower on Government Cut.

Portofino Tower is a condominium is 484′ tall and has 44 floors. It is the fourth tallest building in Miami.

The crystal clear water of Bahia Honda Key offers some of the best snorkeling places in the Florida Keys. The State Park offers camping, canoe and kayak rentals, boat tours and more.

It’s boat show season and there’s none bigger and better than the Miami International Boat Show. The show is held at two different venues plus an in the water brokerage show.

Miami Beach Convention Center

Strictly Sail - Sea Isle Marina and Yachting Center

Yacht and Brokerage Boat Show in Miami Beach

The Venice of America has many similarities with Venice, Italy. Both have beautiful architecture of waterfront homes and Fort Lauderdale is the yachting capitol of America where people like to move around on sleek watercrafts like this cigarette boat.

Sitting at the eastern corner of Duval Street and South Street in Key West is this statue of a mermaid riding two dolphins.

The sign above her head reads:
Ramos Lopez
Duval Street
Key West Florida

Pegasus II - 198′

Beam: 33′, Guest Cabins: 6

Bacarella - 197′

Guest: 10, Crew: 8, Guest Cabins: 5

Dolce Far Niente - 191′

Beam: 34′, Range: 11,000 kn mi, Guest Cabins: 6

Ultima III - 188′

Beam: 33′, Max Speed: 16, Range: 4,000 kn mi, Guest: 16, Guest Cabins: 8

Noble House - 174′

Beam: 30′, Max Speed: 16 knots, Guest: 12, Crew: 10, Guest Cabins: 6

Man of Steel - 164′

Beam: 30′, Max Speed: 15 knots

Mine Games - 164′

Beam: 28′, Max Speed: 24 knots, Guest: 12, Crew: 9, Guest Cabins: 5

Gallant Lady - 161′

Beam: 31′, Max Speed: 15 kn, Range: 4,200 kn mi, Guest: 10, Guest Cabins: 5

Lady Linda - 157′

Max Speed: 21 kn, Guest: 10

Ingot - 153′

Beam: 30′, Max Speed: 15

Bella Bri - 151′

Beam: 31′, Max Speed: 20 kn, Guest: 10, Guest Cabins: 5

At Last - 145′

Beam: 27′, Max Speed: 23 knots, Guest: 10 , Crew: 5, Guest Cabins: 7

Cocoa Bean - 142′

Beam: 28′, Guest: 10

Aqualibrium - 131′

Beam: 26′, Cruise Speed: 14 knots, Guests: 8, Guest Cabins: 4, Crew: 8

Blind Date - 115′

Beam: 25′, Max Speed: 20 knots, Guest: 10, Crew: 6, Guest Cabins: 5

Just Lucky II - 106′

Beam: 23′, Max Speed: 20 kn, Guest: 10, Guest Cabins: 5

Fair Skies

Vita

White Star