Disappearing Island

disappearing island florida, near new smyrna beach and the ponce inlet

Disappearing Island is a large, popular sandbar in Florida’s Ponce Inlet, near New Smyrna Beach. Why is it called Disappearing Island? Disappearing Island got its name because it “disappears” at high tide, and is only visible during low tides. During high tide, the Disappearing Island sandbar is submerged underwater.  The water level and depth varies … Read more

Fishing in Florida

Fishing in Florida

Fishing in Florida is world-class! There are thousands of miles of coastline and waterways in Florida – lakes, rivers, fresh water, salt water, brackish tidal zones, inland, coastal, offshore and everything in between. The entire state is filled with fishing spots and a huge variety of conditions and places to catch fish. Because fishing in Florida … Read more

Peanut Island, Florida

A beach on Peanut Island, Florida

Peanut Island, Florida Peanut Island is a small island in Florida’s Lake Worth Lagoon. It’s located in a beautiful area, between Riviera Beach, Singer Island and Palm Beach. Read about other things to do in Palm Beach County Peanut Island is a county park, and is open to the public. Admission is free, although there … Read more

Crab Island

Crab Island Destin Florida

Crab Island is a large underwater sandbar located north of the Destin Bridge in Destin, Florida.  The sandbar is located just east of Santa Rosa Island, and at the mouth of the Choctawhatchee Bay. Crab Island is located within the boundaries of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The sandbar is a beautiful spot, and is … Read more

Passage Key (Anna Maria)

Woman at Passage Key, Florida

Passage Key is an uninhabited island at the mouth of Tampa Bay.  The island is protected as a national wildlife refuge, and is closed to public access. Note: All of Passage Key closed to protect nesting wildlife. Trespassing on Passage Key is illegal. Visitors should remain well away from the beaches to avoid illegal trespassing.  … Read more

Nixon Sandbar

Nixon Sandbar on Key Biscayne, Florida

The Nixon Sandbar is a popular sandbar near Miami, on Key Biscayne. The sandbar is an extremely popular hangout for boaters near Miami and surrounding areas.  On busy weekends and holidays many dozens, or even hundreds of boats gather, anchor, raft up and party. The Nixon Sandbar is also known as Nixon Beach, and the Nixon … Read more

Mosquito Bank (Key Largo)

Mosquito Bank Key Largo Sandbar

Mosquito Bank is located in the upper Keys near Key Largo. It is just offshore of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.  The Mosquito Bank covers a relatively large area, and includes several sandbars and shallow areas. One part of the Mosquito Bank has a lighted navigational beacon. Note: Please be careful not to damage … Read more

Picnic Island (Florida Keys)

Aerial map showing Picnic Island, Florida Keys

Picnic Island is a small, undeveloped island and sandbar in the lower Florida Keys.  Location Picnic Island is located in the Newfound Harbor Channel, south of Little Torch Key and southeast of Ramrod Key. It is less than a mile northeast of the Little Palm Island Resort. Water around Picnic Island is shallow. Depths around … Read more

Marathon Sandbar

Grassy Key Sandbar in Marathon, Florida Keys

There are several popular sandbars in Marathon.  Each sandbar is unique and has its own vibe. The “feel” of the sandbars change dramatically based on other visitors who happen to be at the sandbar.  Like all sandbars in Florida, some of the more popular sandbars around Marathon become extremely crowded on weekends. Hundreds of boats … Read more

Islamorada Sandbars

islamorada sandbar, florida keys

The Islamorada sandbar is a shallow stretch of white sand, just offshore of Islamorada in the Florida Keys.  The Islamorada sandbar is an extremely popular place for boats to anchor and swim in the crystal clear water. Gatherings on the sandbar can be calm and relaxing, or wild parties, depending on the day and the … Read more

Boca Grande Key (Key West)

Boca grande key sandbar key west florida

Boca Grande is a small, uninhabited island in the Florida Keys.  Boca Grande Key is an extremely popular boating destination for people who live in Key West, and for visitors who visit the island with sandbar tours and captained boat charters. Note: Boca Grande Key should not be confused with the small residential community of … Read more

Content Keys

Aerial image of Content Keys in Florida Keys

The Content Keys are a group of small islands in the lower Florida Keys backcountry, near the Gulf of Mexico.  The entire region is famous for its beautiful clear water, abundant wildlife and fine, sugar-white sand. It is renowned for having some of the best sandbars in Florida. Note: The Content Keys are located in … Read more

Sandbars in Key West

sandbar in key west, florida

Sandbars in Key West are hidden gems. The sand is like white sugar. The water is crystal clear.  When you’re all alone on a sandbar there isn’t any noise, except for the sound of the water. They’re like private desert islands.  You can often see fun and exciting marine life on sandbars, including dolphins, sharks, … Read more

Beer Can Island (Tampa Bay)

Beer can island in tampa bay, also known as Pine Key

Tampa Bay has two islands with the name “Beer Can Island”. One “Beer Can Island” is located in the middle of Tampa Bay. It was recently renamed to “Pine Key”, and is the subject of this article. Click this link for the other “Beer Can Island”, located at the northern tip of Longboat Key, near … Read more

Three Sisters Spring

Manatees in Three Sisters Spring, near the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge

Three Sisters Spring is one of the most beautiful natural springs in Florida. It’s also one of the best places to see wild manatees in Florida. Note: The Chassahowitzka River is another excellent location to swim with manatees, and it’s relatively nearby Three Sisters Spring. If you will visit Three Sisters Spring, be sure to … Read more

Boating Impact on Florida Waterways

Florida Bay Seagrass Impact

Boaters can have serious, negative impacts on Florida’s waterways! As the population of south Florida and the Florida Keys grows, boater’s impact on the marine environment will become an increasingly serious problem to manage. Many boaters run aground every year and damage the fragile seagrass in Florida Bay and throughout Florida. Damage is especially intense … Read more

Anclote River Park

Anclote River Park Florida

Anclote River Park is located in Pasco County at the mouth of the Anclote River. The Anclote River Park is medium-sized and covers approximately 31 acres. The park is a favorite destination for locals who love it its beach, fishing pier, excellent boat ramp, picnic pavilions for outdoor gatherings, and more. The park is also … Read more

Chassahowitzka River and Springs

Chassahowitzka River Campground

The Chassahowitzka River is located in the city of Homosassa on Florida’s central gulf coast. It’s located in Citrus County. Chassahowitzka River Video Tour History of Chassahowitzka River and Springs Like many springs in Florida, Chassahowitzka Springs has a fascinating history. It has attracted humans for tens of thousands of years. There are several notable … Read more

Blue Holes in Florida

An underwater submersible Florida

Note: This article is about underwater blue holes in Florida’s oceans. Here is the link to Blue Hole Spring in Ichetucknee Springs State Park, if you were looking for that instead. I first learned about blue holes in Florida while doing research for freediving and scuba diving. Over time I’ve become obsessed. I’ve spent months … Read more