The islands of the Florida Keys separate two distinct and different bodies of water: the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The Atlantic side is the better known because of the famous reef which runs parallel to the island chain about five miles off shore.
Marked by a string of antiquated lighthouses, the reef has claimed its share of ships and lives over the years, but with the advent of GPS and chartplotters, it has become more of a recreational attraction than a hazard to navigation.
The backcountry, or the Gulf side is a different story. Riddled with shoals, sandbars and small keys, the waters take an experienced eye as well as electronics to navigate. The waters are perfect for clandestine meetings as well as chase scenes.
In order to illustrate how these features interact with each other I have included a screenshot from a chart. The yellow dot in the bottom left is Mac’s island, and the green are the flats surrounding it. In the books, I refer to a cut that Wood had dredged from Harbor Channel, the lighter blue running adjacent to the island, through the flats. That would be the only way for a boat to reach the island, which is actually Upper Harbor Key.
Above are several channels, again represented with lighter blue. The picture below is from one of my (and Mac’s) fishing spots. You can see how the deep water runs directly into a shallow bank which would be stop most boats.
These kinds of features are sprinkled all over the backcountry of the Keys. They are more frequently found to the east of Islamorada and to the west of Marathon.
Flats and Shoals
That area is just beautiful. Nothing like it in Oregon on the left coast. Hope to be back there in July which is probably not the best time. I have read all your books and most of the keys authors. I’ll be coming up on 80 soon God willing I want to see your area.
Thanks for the books. Ron
I am quite amazed at how shallow the water is in this area.