There’s an old adage out there that goes along the lines of, “You can tell who a person is by the company they keep.” Bikers migrate to Daytona in the Spring for Bike Week, mothers hang out with other mommy groups, those who are obsessed with checkers can be found huddling in the dark recesses of a coffee shop or Cracker Barrel, triumphantly shouting “King me!” with gusto every time they win.
However, we want to take it one step further. While sure, you can read a person by their peer group, you can also learn a lot about a person by the clutter they keep. People up north most likely have an arsenal of snow shovels and cold weather gear hiding out in their garage. Those in the Pacific Northwest probably secretly brew their own micro-IPAs and have their bike kit buried under a tarp in their back shed. And out here? We’ve got boats.
One of the best parts of living in Florida is that if you don’t have a boat, you probably know somebody who has one. More than boat registration goes in to owning a boat in Florida. Life vests, an endless supply of sunblock, and coolers that are just waiting to be filled to the brim with icy cold drinks to haul aboard. We love our boats, which is why we also know about these three hidden gems that are best accessed by boat from South Florida.
1) Biscayne National Park. Nestled away on Elliott Key, this barrier island is a must-see for people who want to get away, but still want to see the Miami skyline on the horizon when they turn around.
Sure, it’s a little bit urbanized (it even has “designated parking spots” established by little floating buoys) but it also has fishing, snorkeling, and kayaking, too.
2) Islamorada. This island got its name from the Spanish word for “purple”, but the etymology of the island is still disputed. Was it because of the purple-shelled snails found there, or rather, the purple bougainvillea flowers that grew unchecked? The world may never know.
What remains undisputed is how dang awesome this island is, with a resplendent nature preserve, quiet beaches, and plenty of secluded places to enjoy a picnic.
3) Bimini. Located just 50 miles offshore, or about two hours by boat, this one is for serious adventurers only. No, you’re probably not going there to explore the natural wildlife, but if you want to see the Bahamas and go dancing, hit some casinos, enjoy fine dining, and escape the grind for a day, then this is the place to do it. Of course, they also have Rainbow Reef and Stones of Atlantis to explore, so plan on spending ample time here to get the most out of your day trip.
Here in South Florida, we love our boats and we love our beautiful ecosystems. When exploring these islands, please be sure to respect the natural environment and do as another old saying goes: “Take only pictures, and leave only footprints.” Our islands are, after all, for everyone to enjoy for generations to come!
Fort Lauderdale boat tags are easy to get, but don’t let the paperwork give you a headache. We’ll fill out the documents for you and get your boat tags same-day. Call us at (954)848-4808 today!
Photo credit: Elvis Vasquez (editorial photo 1), Nextvoyage (editorial photo 2), Symeon Ekizoglou (editorial photo 3)
