Miami to Flamingo across Florida Bay via Short Key.

Miami (Black Point) to Flamingo is approximately

a 70 mile one way trip via Short Key.

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Eerie view from Short Key as the glow from Miami lines up with Turkey Point nuclear plant!
Kayakfari ART Photography

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Orion rising over Short Key and Barnes Sound in the Florida Keys.

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A multi-day paddle trip so that we could really enjoy ourselves out there in the wide open expanses!

After a late start from Black Point marina, we paddled past the sun set into the delicious darkness of southern Biscayne Bay. There was no moon out this November night, just a nice light breeze to keep us cool. Winding our way in the darkness, we navigated mostly by the light pollution from Key Largo and the coastline to the west. There were shoals between the Arsnicker Keys to watch out for so as not to get stuck. Then the distant Card Sound bridge lights loomed on the horizon and seemed to go on forever. It was a very surreal moment, paddling continuously yet feeling as if not moving! Unfortunately the tide was not in our favor, but it was a good workout. Our destination was Short Key, about three miles west past the Card Sound bridge. It took a moment to find the camping area in the darkness, but we did make a landing about midnight after all and had a good nights sleep!

Short Key is Key Largo’s backyard, and not a part of Everglades National Park.

The island is private and has a different usage pattern with lots of non-native vegetation and evidence of camping parties. I erred in offending the local Chief Raccoon, where I probably should have presented an offering. He got back at me by tearing a gash in my brand new tent during the night. I did not notice this until the next morning when looking for the PBJs in soft cooler. My bad! This was pretty much the only place to camp along our route. During the week with fewer people it was kinda like hanging out on Hobie Beach (Key Biscayne) back in the “day”.

The next morning we arrived at Gilbert’s right off Jewfish Creek. They are paddler friendly with a nice beach to pull up on. It was a perfect place to stop for a great fish sandwich and a cold beer, the last one until Flamingo at least!

There’s a cut from Blackwater Sound into eastern Florida Bay and it’s a great feeling as you face into the fresh wind. You know you are heading into the wilderness of Florida Bay! Navigating here is easy with a chart, just head due west and look for the various keys. North Nest Key is the official campsite, but space is limited if there are other folks already on the couple of choice spots. We elected to pitch our tents on the south west side only a couple of feet from the waterline. The tidal range is only about a foot here! After getting up at 4:20am, we packed up quick to launch before sunrise into a favorable tide to take us due west across the bay. Once past Eagle Key I parted from the main group to head further south and explore the area south around the Black Betsy Keys, and then onto towards End Key. I did not see any other boaters at all, and the water has the “keys colors” hue to it there, which is different from other parts of the ‘Bay.

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Black Point to Flamingo paddling route was approximately 70 miles in total.

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Florida Bay is a truly remote area!

Being in a kayak you have the ultimate freedom of movement to free-range, only limited by low tide shoals or banks. The Shark Point chickee is a great landmark, kinda like a condo on the water! It’s a tall one, about 8ft above the water to reach the platform. From here you can easily see the tower at Flamingo which is just across Snake Bight. After more than 35 miles of paddling on this one stretch I was treated to a glorious sunset approaching Flamingo.

I arrived at Flamingo having paddled all day,

from sunrise to sunset!

🙂

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BIG thanks to my friends at the Miami Kayak Club. Good times!!

You may also be interested in:

Across Florida Bay: Flamingo to Long Key Roundtrip Adventure

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Enjoy!

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Lining up at Black Point marina launch ramp

Heading out from Black Point marina

Shades of 029 .. http://www.got029.com

Sunset over Turkey Point nuclear power plant

Final approach to Card Sound bridge feels like this..

Midnight camp setup on Short Key

Kayakfari ART: The glow from Miami lines up with Turkey Pt nuclear plant .. looks eerie from Short Key!

The timeless Keys .. Short Key

Chilling off Short Key in Barnes Sound, Florida.

Short Key camping

BBQ Key Largo style!

Short Key

Classic Keys colors and hues, looking back at Card Sound bridge from Short Key

Eggplant with peppers and squash in garlic & beer sauce

Good times kayak camping on Short Key!

Gorilla tape fix of gash Chief Raccoon made in my new tent after I offended him~

Gilbert’s on Jewfish Creek in Key Largo

Paddler friendly Gilbert’s!

Entry into east Florida Bay

North Nest Key

Gorgeous hues of colors out here..

Not much camping room on Nest Key

Small beach on North Nest Key, Florida Bay.

Launch from Nest Key before sunrise

Don’t let the smile fool you .. it’s like 6am!

Eagle Key

Black Betsy keys

Greenland stick and mangrove seedling by Black Betsy Keys

Sneak peak at End Key interior

Leathery guano-sand-dirt-salt crust of End Key

Sneak peak into Rankin Key

Shark Point chickee camping platform

Sharks hunting in the flats

due West

due East

One of those awesome Florida Bay sunsets

Flamingo Ranger Station

Route was approximately 70 miles in total

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More on paddling Florida Bay:

Chickees and Keys in Florida Bay – Kayaking, Camping and Nice Dreams!

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Some of my routes traveled over the 800 square miles of Florida Bay.
Chickees and Keys in Florida Bay – Kayaking, Camping and Nice Dreams!

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NIGHT LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY and DIGITAL ART from the EVERGLADES, FLORIDA BAY, TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS, BIG CYPRESS & BEYOND!

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To learn more about Florida Bay and the Keys, I can recommend this informative and beautifully done book. There is a wealth of information inside along with incredible images by internationally recognized and top local Everglades photographers. If you like Florida Bay and the Keys, you will LOVE this book!

Full Disclosure: A few of my images are in it too.

“Florida Bay Forever” – Everglades Foundation book edited by Dan Burkhardt (with some photography by Flex Maslan).
Cover photo by Rob O’Neal

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! Bless UP

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© 2012 – 2021 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / digital029art.com. All original photographs, artworks and music in this portfolio are copyrighted and owned by the artist, Flex Maslan, unless otherwise noted. Any reproduction, modification, publication, transmission, transfer, or exploitation of any of the content, for personal or commercial use, whether in whole or in part, without written permission from the artist is strictly prohibited.

All rights reserved!

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DISCLAIMER:

The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!

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I hereby disclaim any sponsorship, endorsement, nor association with any product or service described herein. The photographs, depictions, products, and ideas presented on this site are for informational purposes only. Your results may vary, and I do not imply nor guarantee the effectiveness, suitability, design or operation to adhere to any standard. I assume no legal responsibility for the implementation of anything herein presented! Use any and all information at your own risk! By using any and all information from this website, you accept the final liability for any use or possible associated misuse!

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With that said..
Blessings friends!

🙂