FLORIDA TO BAHAMAS ♒︎ Gulf Stream Crossings
Here is a quick overview of why the rule “go 25 miles or so south of your intended Bahamas destination” in order to cross the Gulf Stream.
Northerly winds will make the crossing very uncomfortable; as the wind against current create short steep nasty waves – wait for no winds or light easterlies for a more comfortable ride
If you plan on Sailing look for S or SW winds
Tides and Currents
WINDS
Gulf Stream Crossings to The Bahamas
Because of the Gulf Stream’s north-setting current, most cruisers prioritize making as much southing as possible along the U.S. East Coast before crossing. From South Florida, it’s just a day hop across the Gulf Stream to reach the first islands of The Bahamas. This route follows the typical snowbird cruising path, as outlined by Van Sandt in A Gentleman’s Guide to Passages South. It allows for travel within the ICW or limits to manageable day hops offshore.
The Strategy for a Smooth Crossing
The general advice is to get as far south as possible before making the crossing. The farther south you start, the easier the crossing and the more route options you’ll have. Slower vessels benefit most from this approach. For instance, leaving from Key Largo with a moderate southeasterly breeze — a common forecast — allows you to take advantage of a more favorable heading and the Gulf Stream’s flow instead of fighting against it.
Chris Parker of the Marine Weather Center identifies two primary crossing zones: the North and South Crossing Areas. These terms are widely used in marine forecasts, even if you don’t use his services (though they’re highly recommended).
North Crossing Area
The North Crossing Area spans the track from West Palm Beach (Lake Worth Inlet) to West End, Grand Bahama — a route roughly 56 nautical miles east.
Common departure points include:
- Farther north: St. Lucie Inlet or Fort Pierce Inlet, often with crossings targeting the Abacos.
- Farther south: Departures from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, with direct routes to Grand Bahama or the Abacos.
Once on Grand Bahama’s southwest corner, it’s an easy passage through the Northwest Providence Channel toward the Berry Islands or Nassau.
South Crossing Area
The South Crossing Area typically covers the route from Fort Lauderdale or Miami directly to Bimini, about 46 nautical miles east of Key Biscayne. This is the shortest crossing from Florida to The Bahamas.
Other options include:
- Departing Key Largo or the Florida Keys: These routes lead to Bimini or South Riding Rock, opening paths toward Andros, the Berry Islands, Nassau, and the Exumas.
- Continuing to North Crossing zones: A route to Grand Bahama or the Abacos is also possible from this area.
SHORT WINDOW SCENARIO
For those of you considering crossing Monday night to Bimini, note that the forecast at 11 am Sunday shows the wind shifting into the north at about 5 am. Wave heights are forecast to go from 1 foot/4 seconds to 2 feet/3 seconds – not very comfortable at all. Winds go from 1 k SE to 11 k NW, gusting 15, but since it’s very early in the shift, it shouldn’t be too bad FOR EXPERIENCED MARINERS.
If you’re going to jump on this very short window, leave before midnight, you want to arrive in Bimini at sunrise or very shortly after, before things get lively.
Palm Beach to West End is showing essentially the same conditions, starting at 2 feet/5 seconds and moving to 2 feet NW on 3 seconds. Winds move into the NW instead of the north.
Same advice, with one proviso – that wave action will make entering the marina at West End a bit challenging. Be sure to consider its effects on your boat as you approach,and compensate for them.
N0TE – conditions are changing rapidly, so check again before you leave for any updated wind and wave forecasts.
FLORIDA TO PANAMA
FLORIDA TO PANAMA
FLORIDA TO PANAMA VIA THE WINDWARD PASSAGE
- Distance: Approximately 1,300–1,500 nautical miles, depending on stops.
- Sailing Time: 12–18 days non-stop, but most cruisers spend several weeks exploring.
- Best Season: November to May (Caribbean dry season, avoiding hurricane risks).
Key Waypoints and Recommended Stops
1. Bahamas
- Route Options: Cross the Gulf Stream from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini or sail to Grand Bahama (West End) as your first stop.
- Highlights:
- Bimini: Gateway to the Bahamas, with crystal-clear waters.
- Exumas: Stunning chain of islands with protected anchorages and excellent snorkeling.
- Georgetown (Great Exuma): A cruiser hub for provisioning and socializing.
- Navigation Note: Shallow waters and coral reefs require careful planning and daylight navigation.
2. Turks and Caicos
- Why Stop: Providenciales offers great provisioning and marina facilities, while the surrounding waters boast incredible diving and fishing.
- Anchorages: Sapodilla Bay (calm and protected).
- Tip: Check customs and immigration requirements for stopping here.
3. The Windward Passage (Between Cuba and Haiti)
- Why Sail This Route:
- Offers a direct and open-water route to the western Caribbean.
- Favorable NE trade winds often provide a beam reach or downwind sailing.
- Navigation Note:
- The Windward Passage is wide and deep, but currents and winds can funnel through, causing rough seas in adverse weather.
- Timing your passage with settled conditions is key.
4. Jamaica (Optional Stop)
- Key Ports: Port Antonio (Errol Flynn Marina) or Montego Bay.
- Why Stop: Jamaica offers a mix of vibrant culture, beautiful landscapes, and secure marinas.
- Tip: Port Antonio is particularly cruiser-friendly and a good place to rest and refuel.
5. Cayman Islands (Optional Stop)
- Why Stop: Grand Cayman is a great place for provisioning, diving, and resting in protected anchorages like Seven Mile Beach.
- Navigation Note: Anchorages can be exposed to northerlies, so plan accordingly.
6. Providencia or San Andrés (Colombia)
- Why Stop: These islands are gems of the Caribbean with friendly locals, calm anchorages, and excellent snorkeling.
- Tips:
- Providencia is quieter and more laid-back.
- San Andrés is better for provisioning and fuel.
7. Bocas del Toro, Panama
- Why Stop: A cruiser favorite for its protected waters, vibrant culture, and nearby provisioning. Bocas also serves as a great staging area for preparing to approach the Panama Canal.
Key Considerations
- Weather:
- NE trade winds dominate; you’ll likely enjoy consistent downwind or beam-reach sailing.
- Watch for cold fronts coming off the U.S. that can affect the Windward Passage and surrounding areas.
- Currents:
- The Gulf Stream runs northward and must be crossed carefully from Fort Lauderdale.
- The Windward Passage has strong currents; timing your passage is crucial.
- Customs and Immigration:
- Check entry requirements for the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands. Each country has different procedures for arriving yachts.
- Fuel and Provisioning:
- Stock up in major ports like Nassau, Georgetown (Exumas), or Providenciales.
- Fuel may be limited or expensive in smaller islands.
FLORIDA TO PANAMA VIA THE YUCATAN CHANNEL / AKA AGAINST THE GULFSTREAM
Route Overview
- Distance: Approximately 1,200-1,400 nautical miles, depending on the route and stops.
- Sailing Time: 10–14 days of continuous sailing, though most cruisers take 4–6 weeks or more to enjoy stops along the way.
- Best Season: November to May (dry season in the Caribbean) to avoid hurricane risks and enjoy favorable trade winds.
Key Waypoints and Recommended Stops
1. Biscayne Bay, Miami, FL
- Why Stop: Explore vibrant Miami and provision in a well-stocked city. Biscayne Bay offers a protected anchorage.
- Activities: Visit South Beach, the art deco district, and local marine supply stores.
- Tip: Avoid the busy shipping channels around Miami.
2. Florida Keys
- Marinas and Anchorages: Key Largo, Marathon (Boot Key Harbor), and Key West.
- Why Stop: Experience the laid-back atmosphere, excellent snorkeling, and fishing.
- Navigation Note: Shallow waters require careful charting.
3. Dry Tortugas, FL
- Why Stop: Remote and stunning national park with pristine beaches, snorkeling, and historical Fort Jefferson.
- Provisioning: Limited; ensure you’re well-stocked.
- Navigation Note: Anchorages can be rolly; watch for weather.
4. Isla Mujeres, Mexico
- Why Stop: A great international port of entry with vibrant local culture, clear waters, and a popular yacht destination.
- Tip: Ensure all paperwork for clearing into Mexico is ready in advance.
5. Belize Barrier Reef
- Why Stop: Explore the world’s second-largest barrier reef, with stunning coral islands like Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.
- Navigation Note: Reef navigation requires caution and good daylight.
6. Rio Dulce, Guatemala (Optional Detour)
- Why Stop: A unique inland river experience with protected anchorages and lush jungle surroundings.
- Tip: The entry through Livingston requires careful timing due to shallow depths.
7. Bay Islands, Honduras
- Key Stops: Roatán, Utila, and Guanaja.
- Why Stop: Excellent diving and vibrant local culture.
- Navigation Note: Monitor local weather and safety conditions.
8. Providencia or San Andrés (Colombia)
- Why Stop: Quaint islands with a mix of Colombian and Caribbean charm. Friendly locals and stunning waters.
- Tip: Ideal for provisioning and enjoying shore leave.
9. Bocas del Toro, Panama
- Why Stop: A cruiser-friendly haven with vibrant expat communities, calm waters, and nearby provisioning.
- Tip: Use this as a base for staging before heading toward the Panama Canal.
Approaching the Panama Canal
- Balboa or Colón: Two key entry points for the Panama Canal.
- Shelter Bay Marina (near Colón): A popular choice for preparing to transit the canal. Offers good facilities, provisioning, and access to canal agents.
- Panama City: If entering from the Pacific side, La Playita Marina or Flamenco Marina are excellent staging points.
Key Considerations
- Weather: Monitor the Caribbean trade winds (typically NE) and avoid adverse conditions such as strong northerlies in the Yucatán Channel.
- Paperwork: Ensure up-to-date documentation, including passports, vessel registration, insurance, and any required cruising permits.
- Fuel and Provisioning: Stock up in larger ports like Fort Lauderdale, Key West, or Isla Mujeres, as supplies can be limited and costly in smaller stops.
HURRICANE MILTON CREATED NEW NAVIGABLE PASS
HURRICANE MILTON CREATED NEW NAVIGABLE PASS
"Nature Bats Last" usually harkens images of nature taking over in ways that override human construction and development. In this case, however, Hurricane Milton re-opened a navigable pass on the Southwest Florida coast that has been closed for 41 years and many locals are thrilled. This new pass goes by the name Midnight Pass, as it was before, or Milton Pass, as some are calling it now. While this pass has been closed in with sand and silt since 1983, the two hurricanes to sweep across Florida's Southwest coast recently changed that. The channel is navigable 'for now' and cuts through Siesta Key giving boaters another way to transit between the ocean and Little Sarasota Bay.
Michael Harris reports in the local Observer:
What Milton did is more than open a wide lane for boats to go from the bay to the Gulf, it's more about filtering out the muck of Little Sarasota Bay and "breathing" clean water into it from the gulf.
The water of the bay had been trapped with no outflow for a stretch of nearly 15 miles. Over the years, it was brown from various pollutants, algae and at times gave off an unwelcome odor.... It was a relatively lifeless strip of sand that acted as a barrier between lovely, clear pristine waters of the Gulf on one side, and the tea-colored, cloudy bay.
(Now)
It's beautiful.
It's welcoming.
It's clean.
Interestingly, as with most stories, as one digs deeper the plot thickens. While todays environmental regulations and project costs make opening and closing passes of this nature difficult to impossible, 41 years ago the pass was closed through the successful permitting of two households to actually fill it in and close it. According to Michael Harris the channel had been free flowing prior to 1983 but would shift due to shoaling on one side or the other. The two households thought they put a stop to this by getting permits and closing the Pass. Now Milton has come along and opened the Pass up again.
The question many locals are now asking is "how can we keep it open?" While the Sarasota County has issued a statement acknowledging that they are not permitted to maintain any openings that result from Hurricanes, U.S. Rep. Greg Stuebe is cutting to the chase seeking help from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to keep Midnight Pass open permanently. It remains to be seen how the Pass will fare naturally over time or if this new Pass will get the financial and physical support it may need to stay where it is.
Only one thing is certain, for better or worse: Nature Bats Last
TITUSVILLE MARINA 🇺🇸 FLORIDA SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE
TITUSVILLE MARINA 🇺🇸 FLORIDA SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE
28° 37.2466' N 080° 48.5316' W
We are pleased to sponsor the Ocean Posse and offer
10 % discount off our short term docking rate
Please let the Posse know that dock age reservations may be made directly through our website, or by giving us a call at 321.383.5600
Tom Lawson
General Manager
AMENITIES
Each and every member of the staff at Titusville Marina is invested in professional management and superior customer service.
- Transient Dockage
- Public Launch Ramps
- Newly Remodeled Ship Store
- WiFi
- Pump Out Station and Boat Available
- Diving Services
- 1 Hour to Orlando Attractions
- New Indoor Captain’s Lounge
- Newly Remodeled Bathrooms
- Gas & Diesel
- Laundry Facilities
- Nearby Restaurants
- 5 Minutes to Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge
- 10 Minutes to Canaveral National Seashore
- Grocery Store Within Walking Distance
CHART 11484
DOCK MAP
Contact Info
Tel +1 321-383-5600
tlawson@f3marina.com
451 Marina Rd, Titusville, FL 32796, USA
SAFE APPROACH
LOCATION
OFFICIAL WEBSITE >>
NEARBY
- Titusville Playhouse Inc.
- American Space Museum & Walk of Fame
- Brevard County Marina Dog Park
- BK Adventure Florida: Bioluminescence Tours
- Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Salt Lake Wildlife Management Area
Fernandina Harbor Marina 🇺🇸 FLORIDA SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE
Oasis Marinas at Fernandina Harbor Marina 🇺🇸 FLORIDA SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE
30° 40.3067 ' N 081° 27.95'W
We are pleased to sponsor the OCEAN Posse and offer
10 % discount off our docking rate
5 cent x gallon discount on fuel
there are hundreds of participating marinas all over the country where boater's can receive additional discounts -
visit marinalife.com/membership.
Taylor Fitzsimmons | General Manager
(904) 310-3303
Oasis Marinas at Fernandina Harbor is your gateway to Amelia Island's rich history and attractions.
Amelia Island is part of the Sea Islands chain of barrier islands, on Florida’s Atlantic coast. It has a history of Spanish, French, British and American rule. Today it’s a popular destination known for its luxury resorts, golf courses an sandy beaches.
Conveniently located on the Intracoastal Waterway Fernandina Harbor Marina has the services and amenities you need when traveling the ICW.
AMENITIES
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4,000 ft of alongside dockage
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Mooring balls on site
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Deep water, roughly 25ft
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Laundry
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Bait & Tackle
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Restaurant on-site
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Floating concrete docks
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Boaters Lounge with Television
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WiFi Internet Access
CHART
DOCK MAP
RATES
Contact Info
Email: fernandinaharbor@oasismarinas.com
Hail on VHF 16
Address:
Fernandina Harbor Marina | 3 S. Front Street | Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
30° 40' 14.34'' N
81° 27' 54.576'' W
Marina Hours:
MAP
LOGGERHEAD INLET HARBOR MARINA Ponce Inlet 🇺🇸 FL Sponsors the OCEAN POSSE
Loggerhead Inlet Harbor Marina 🇺🇸 Ponce Inlet, FL Sponsors the OCEAN Posse
29° 05.515' N 080° 56.3783' W
We are thrilled to sponsor the OCEAN Posse with a special transient rate of $ 2.15 x foot.
Please enjoy your stay and all there is to discover in the Ponce Inlet
Laura Hughes
Dockmaster
AMENITIES
Offering 100 Wet Slips for Vessels up to 120’
Inlet Harbor Marina is a full service marina offering both wet and dry slips with close proximity to Ponce Inlet.
Accommodations include concrete floating docks, vertical lifts up to 27,000 lbs., dry storage slips up to 25,000 lbs., ethanol-free gas, diesel, ice, 30/50/100 amp shorepower, and an on-site waterfront restaurant.
We are located 1 mile north of Ponce Inlet on the north cut, and ½ mile east of the ICW at Statute Mile 839.5, just a short boat ride away from the famous “Disappearing Island” of Ponce Inlet.
CONTACT Loggerhead Marina – Inlet Harbor
Address:
133 Inlet Harbor Rd, Ponce Inlet, FL 32127
Telephone:
386-767-3266
Hours:
Fuel Dock: 7 am – 6 pm
Dry Storage: 8 am – 4:30 pm
Office: 8 am – 4:30 pm
Email:
inletharbour@equitylifestyle.com
Loggerhead Inlet Harbor Marina SAFE APPROACH
LOCATION
OFFICIAL WEBSITE >>
NEARBY
- Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse >>
- Ponce Inlet Historical Museum >>
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Lighthouse Point Park
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Ponce Preserve >>
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Atlantic Center for the Arts >>
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Smyrna Dunes Park >>
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Cruger-dePeyster Plantation Sugar Mill Ruins >>