2/21/17: Marco Island, Fl. Factory Bay Anchorage – Everglades City – Camp Lulu Key Anchorage = 47 NM

With good weather we left Marco Island, out into the Gulf of Mexico, around Cape Ramano, up to Everglades City, then to Camp Lulu Key Anchorage.

Our next few days would be spent in the Ten Thousand Island chain. Everglades City and Camp Lulu Key are located in the Ten Thousand Island National Wildlife Refuge which covers 35,000 acres. Because Camp Lulu Key is not located in the Everglades Park we did not need a permit to go onto the Island & we were allowed to take Jake and Ike ashore.

Everglades Rod and Gun Club located along the Barron River in the Everglades. The channel from the Gulf of Mexico to Everglades City can be shallow and is best taken at high tide. Luck for us we only draw 3’ so even leaving at low tide did not cause us any trouble. The Rod & Gun Club transports you back into old Florida. 

Free Docking While We Eat

A Must See Stop

Old Southern Florida Charm

We had stayed at Camp LuLu Key in November 2013 when we started the Great Loop. We enjoyed it so much we put it on our ‘must return to’ list. We are so glad we did because we were not disappointed. 

The weather forecast called for double digit high winds so we tucked in behind Camp Lulu Key. From where we anchored, using our binoculars, we could see the large waves coming in the entrance but our anchorage was well protected. 

We stayed for 4 wonderful days. Jakes first beach experience. Turns out unlike Ike, he is a beach dog. 

We dinked too Lulu Key and to Picnic Island were we all took in some beach sun and fished. Between the 3 boats we ate like Kings! Our new upper deck seating area has turned out to be a great addition to our boat. Great time had by all.

Camp Lulu Key is home to a wide variety of plants and animals. There are approximately 200 species of fish, 189 species of birds and innumerable plant species. The Black & Red mangroves provide wind coverage. We saw a variety of birds; a Bald Eagle, Egrets, & Osprey as well as raccoons and bottlenose dolphins.