Safe Harbor Angler House

Florida law requires you to be at least 18 to rent a livery vessel other than a human-powered vessel. Florida sets no general minimum age to operate a boat, but a personal watercraft operator must be at least 14.

Under section 327.395, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, operating a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must carry the required boating safety credentials. An exemption applies when accompanied by a credentialed or exempt person age 18 or older who is attendant to the operation and responsible for safe operation and violations. The rental operator sets its own booking minimum subject to state law, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Florida does not issue a boating license, but operators born on or after January 1, 1988, must carry photo ID and a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating education card when running a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft. There is no general minimum age for boats; personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, and no one under 18 may rent any vessel other than a human powered one. Exemptions include Coast Guard licensed masters, private lake or pond operators, operators accompanied aboard by someone 18 or older who holds the card or is exempt and is responsible for the vessel, and nonresidents with proof of a NASBLA-approved out of state course. Any non exempt operator may instead pass an FWC approved temporary certificate exam and carry that certificate with photo ID for 90 days.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

From Islamorada, you can run Florida Bay and the bayside Intracoastal Waterway, or use marked passages to reach Hawk Channel and Atlantic waters. Florida Bay is shallow and irregular, while Hawk Channel is the navigable passage inside the Florida reef line and is less sheltered. Snake Creek connects bay and ocean but has strong currents near its bridge; Windley Harbor is a well-protected refuge; and Teatable Key Channel connects the Intracoastal Waterway with Hawk Channel. Put-ins include the Founders Park boat ramp beside Plantation Yacht Harbor and the Indian Key Boat Ramp.

Source: NOAA Office of Coast Survey (nauticalcharts.noaa.gov)

Boaters from Islamorada often head to the Islamorada Sandbar, Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park and the San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve. The sandbar draws boats to its shallow turquoise water and sandy bottom for swimming and socializing. Lignumvitae Key is accessible only by boat or kayak and offers a tropical hardwood hammock, historic Matheson home and self-guided grounds. San Pedro attracts snorkelers and divers to the submerged remains of a 1733 shipwreck, with mooring buoys provided to protect the site.

Source: Florida Keys tourism (visitfloridakeys.com)