December 30, 2011

After waking up in the early morning and taking a look outside, we realized that it would be a great day to go out on the jet skis. We decided to head directly into the ocean. We left early at around 9AM and decided to make a run out just a few miles into the abyss. The trip ended up taking longer than expected. We headed out of Haulover Inlet in Sunny Isles, Florida and ran 30MPH straight into the open ocean. Favorable conditions allowed us this opportunity and we could not pass it up. We were on a direct path to Bimini, our favorite trip that we have made thus far. Louis and I decided that we had enough gas to to get to Biscayne National Park and back without refueling. The trip was a little easier for me due to the design of the jet ski hull on my 2009 Yamaha FX HO. Louis was battling the 2-3 foot waves on his FZR, just a little bit tougher due to its shorter ride plate designed for performance and speed. Heading along the coast 7-8 miles offshore allowed us to be close enough to have phone service and far enough to avoid being bothered by constant Miami traffic. Yes you heard right, even at this point int he season we have boat traffic. Constant boats going and coming out of the inlet's. Since we were passing Government Cut in Miami, we set ourselves up to see cruise ships such as the Oasis of the Seas and Carnival Cruise Lines on almost every ride!

We are about 8 miles offshore in this picture. I was just sitting back checking our location on the GPS and plotting our course.


Louis cruising south on his Yamaha FZR. While its a 70+MPH jet ski in the bay, its not easy to keep that beast planted down in the open ocean with unpredictable wave conditions.


We decided to head south and not waste any opportunity to put some hours on the jet skis. Although Key Biscayne National Park is off-limits to personal watercraft, it is not strictly enforced and never guarded. The idea to ban personal water craft was enacted to keep them out due to their excessive pollution back in their 2 stroke dsys. We are fighting to get this law removed and changed to allow us all back in legally. Personal watercraft have changed quiet a bit from the early 90's, they are clean burn!

About 4 miles offshore we met our new friend lonely in the ocean all by himself. This is a Portuguese man o war, a dangerous little guy.


After around 25 miles of various offshore cruising we finally arrived at our destination, the Fowey Rocks Lighthouse! This is one of the most beautiful places to snorkel. It is filled with various types of species of fish. Sometimes you can see turtles and other animals nearby.

Me on my Yamaha FX HO to show you the size of the Lighthouse

Louis on his Yamaha FZR next to the Lighthouse


We didn't stop there! Looking to the south west we saw an island out in the distance. Curiosity got us both and we did a straight shot there. We ran over some shallow water 1-2FT so we knew boats could not access it. Or at least not in the direction of our approach. It looked interesting from far away and uninhabited. Thoughts of being stranded have crossed my head many times. Watching movies such as Waterworld and Robinson Crusoe while growing up have really helped me burn the passion of the ocean into my soul.

Luis wanted to be first to touch land, unfortunately it was way too rocky to attach to the dock.


We saw beautiful water for most of the ride there! Closest water you will ever see to the Bahamian waters we once visited


We started heading back after finding this no name island (Later determined to be Soldier Key). After roughly 34 miles of cruising we were both getting a bit tired and we did not want to be caught in the ocean at night. Not because it would not be fun but paying the hefty fines to the local police enforcement would be a big downer.

Out in the beautiful sea just taking a moment to breath and relax. Its nice to just take it all in once in a while.


We made it just in time coming in through Haulover Inlet and arriving at Beer Can Island (Just a local name). The sun started to set as we were approaching our launch location. In Florida jet skis are only allowed to be on the water till 30 minutes after sunset. After that its illegal due to us having no running nights and it being a law.


Fuel was running low after this trip. I still had 5 gallons of gas left over after 68 miles of travel, not bad for this Yamaha!


Thank you for joining me on my adventure through my blog :)

Roman