Cruising the intercoastal Way

How to navigate on the Miami intercoastal Way

The creation of the intercoastal Waterway (ICW) was ordered by the US congress in the 1919. It is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers. The intercoastal Waterway measures 3000 miles it runs the length of the eastern shores form the Maine to Miami, Florida . It comprises some natural inlets, rivers sounds and bays and a large number of artificial men made canals.

The waterways tries to maintain a minimum depth of 12 feet, but in numerous areas this minimum is not respected. The Miami- Fort Lauderdale section is well maintained and provides with sufficient signage in order to prevent boaters to be entrap in shallow waters. Boaters need to be very careful and prudent by preparing their journey with the help of nautical maps or with a GPS. Boaters that are not familiar with the area should avoid cruising during night since signs often are not lighted and it becomes difficult to locate them. All along the ICW, boaters will encounter bridges that can become an obstacle for larger boats. Opening schedules and processes should be followed to request a bridge opening.

For much of the way the channel passes between the mainland and barrier islands, so you are only a short distance from the Atlantic surf.  One of the nation's largest metropolitan areas, Miami , is near the southern terminus of the route.  The ICW continues along the Florida Keys to Key West . This section of the ICW is navigated by a lot of boaters which increase accidents possibilities. The central channel is very well marked with two long poles. Boaters should stay within the boundaries of those 2 poles. This central channel shows also some speed sign restrictions that also should be respected. Alongside the channel eastbound and westbound, you can find other smaller poles indicating channels leading the way toward canals and communities. It is crucial to be very careful when getting out of the central channel and to navigate within the small channels. Those channels are either marked by 2 poles or by a single pole.

Speed on the Miami intercoastal Way 

All vessels should be operated at safe speed. Some areas specifically in the intercoastal Way have specific speed restrictions; they are usually posted on poles.

• Slow speed minimum wake (the boat should create very small waves, 3-4 miles an hour)
• Idle speed (boat should be at minimum speed without creating waves)
• Speed limitations when close to shoreline, usually slow speed is applicable.

It is very important to respect the limitations since they are usually strictly enforced. In doubt inexperienced boaters should observe around and mimic what other boaters are doing, when several boats runs as low speed usually there is a reason.

Boaters should also note that sections on the intercoastal Way may have 2 different speed limits during 2 different seasons in order to protect Manatees. Usually the tighter restriction applies from November to April each year. It is preferable to check with local authorities.  

How to cross bridges  

When passing a bridge, boaters should reduce their speed to idle speed (no wakes should be created, 3-4 miles per hour). Boaters should stick to their right and respect the first come first go principle.

With boats with limited height they are usually able to pass underneath most bridges, boats requiring a higher clearance should read signs that are usually posted on bridges that indicate opening hours. Opening hours usually change on week days and on weekends. Information can be obtained by communicating with bridge operators on the radio.  

Signs and poles found on the intercoastal should be observed with the most attention they often indicate shallow waters and speed restrictions.

Access to ocean from the intercoastal way

Boaters may choose to stay on the intercoastal way which offers beautiful and diversified sceneries or to cruise on the ocean. From Miami to Fort Lauderdale there are 3 outlets to the Ocean one in Miami Beach , one in North Miami Beach , and one in Fort Lauderdale . Boaters can get from Miami to Fort Lauderdale using the intercoastal way or through the Ocean. The intercoastal way is sheltered however; it takes much more time to get from one point to the other due to the number of low speed sections on the way. Furthermore large vessels will be stopped on the way by the numerous bridges that need to be opened.

This information brought to you by Miami Boat.