NAV I GATOR | JOURNEYS SAILS UP: THE ULTIMATE CRUISE Key West to Key Largo START See America’s glorious Southeast coastline LEG 1 of 8 the best way possible: by boat. All year, we are collaborating with Waterway Guide Media to bring you the best segments of the 1,243-mile- long Intracoastal Waterway on a journey from Key West, Florida, to Norfolk, Virginia, at the end of the (watery) trail. This issue: a sun- drenched passage from Key West to Key Largo. MILE 1209 MILE 1243 DIVE-BAR MUST SUNSET KICKOFF Big Pine Key West No Name Pub may look like an old wooden Start the journey with a sunset at Mallory cottage on the outside, but venture inside Square surrounded by the nightly pageant and you will see that the walls and ceilings of tightrope-walking cats and acrobats. are covered with thousands of fluttering dollar (Watch for the green flash.)TIE UP: Dockage bills, many with personal messages. Locals rates at the Westin Key West Resort & Marina know the pizza is the best around. are $4 per foot. (Room rates start at $279.) MILE 1194 SNORKELING ADVENTURE Boot Key Join tropical fish, stingrays, and the occasional barracuda at the magnificent coral reef adjacent toSombrero Key Light. Grab Instagram snapshots at the natural coral limestone arch. TIE UP: Dockage rates at Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club on Marathon Key start at $3.50 per foot. (Room rates start at $139.) MILE 1140 PADDLE THE MILE 1160 MANGROVES FISHING PILGRIMAGE Key Largo Islamorada At John Pennekamp Coral Reef Of course the Worldwide Sportsman/ State Park, you can explore 50 miles Bass Pro Shop sells a huge selection of of natural mangrove trails via kayak, fishing gear and apparel, but it’s the paddleboard, or canoe, or take a saltwater aquarium and the full-size guided diving or snorkeling tour. 1933 inspiration for Hemingway’s yacht, TIE UP: If you have a shallow-draft the Pilar, that make this angler’s bazaar boat, overnight at a mooring in worth a port stop. Largo Sound, which you will share END with the resident pelicans. NO BOAT (YET)? It’s easy to rent or charter any type or size with or without a captain in the Keys. Get hooked up with the right vessel from family-owned Vacation Boat Rentals (866/420-1515 or vacationboatrentals.com) or Boatsetter (844/262-8738 or boatsetter.com). FROM TOP: TRINA DOPP PHOTOGRAPHY/GETTY IMAGES, ROBBIE CAPONETTO, MIKE THEISS/NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CREATIVE, TYPHOONSKI/GETTY IMAGES, IMAGES, TYPHOONSKI/GETTY GEOGRAPHIC CREATIVE, MIKE THEISS/NATIONAL ROBBIE CAPONETTO, IMAGES, TRINA DOPP PHOTOGRAPHY/GETTY FROM TOP: CASERTA MAP: MATT IMAGES; PETER PTSCHELINZEW/GETTY TOTAL ISLANDS 103 600+ 1,700 IN THE FLORIDA KEYS MILES SAILED BRIDGES YOU DON’T SPECIES OF FISH SHIPWRECKS 42 HAVE TO DRIVE OVER! IN THE FLORIDA KEYS 9 TO EXPLORE READY TO SET SAIL? Order guidebooks and begin 46 COASTAL LIVING January/February 2017 BY JANI PARKER planning your boating adventures at waterwayguide.com.