05/27/2026
Support Boats remember to touch up on your FAQ before the big day!
College of the Florida Keys Swim Around Key West 2026
Boater FAQ
Where to launch:
There are a few locations that you launch your boat from.
• Simonton Beach Park (Enters Gulf side of island)
• Garrison Bight Key West City Marina (Enters Gulf side of island)
• Key Haven Boat Ramp (Enters Atlantic side of Key Haven)
• Rivera Canal (enters Atlantic side of Key West)
• Cow Key Marina (Enters Atlantic side of Stock Island)
Be sure to always have the following items on the boat:
• Lifejackets: Be sure that you have enough Coast Guard Approved lifejackets for every passenger pls your
swimmer.
• Flares: Coast Guard mandates that all boats have flares aboard the vessel.
• Throwable floatation device: Coast Guard mandates that all vessels have an easily accessible item to
throw in case of emergency.
• Noise making device: Coast Guard mandates that all vessels have a noise making device in case of
emergency.
• Water: Hydrate participants both swimmer and support. This is a warm water swim, make sure to stay
hydrated.
• Snacks: For both swimmer and kayaker. Use snacks you’ve been training with.
• Sunscreen: Be sure that your sunscreen is water resistant and ocean friendly. Avoid chemical-based
sunscreen as it has negative impact on the marine ecosystem. Sunscreen that has non- nano Zinc Oxide
or Titanium Dioxide are best.
• Marine Radio: monitor race and hear updates to weather & announcements regarding the race. The
official channel for the Swim Around Key West is Channel 78
• Cellphone: for emergencies.
• Swimmer entry number: Must be displayed clearly on the boat and visible from both sides.
Race Day:
• All swimmers should arrive in the same boat.
• Check In: text 305-360-2124 your race number and wait outside swimming area to start.
• The first person on the relay will START beside the boat.
• Exchange positions-each relay team will be given a bracelet that is handed to the next swimmer.
• When exchanging positions, please ensure exiting and entering boat safely.
• Finish: The race will finish at the Orange Buoy inside the swimming area, all boats will need to anchor
outside the area. (all swimmers may swim together to finish)
• Higgs Beach has a submerged rusted pier along the swim area-please be aware of it and stay away.
Navigation:
• Please become familiar with the local waters outside of Key West.
• The surrounding waters are home to delicate marine life such and corals and seagrass in the shallows.
Be aware of the draft of you boat and do not enter shallow areas.
• In the event you run aground, do not push down on the throttle. Turn your boat off, exit the boat and
push it off the flat. This can be avoided by staying within the navigational areas.
• Be sure you have a working GPS on board the boat. We recommend also having a backup navigation on
your phone to assist you in navigation. We recommend the app called “Navionics”
Cow Key Channel:
• Make sure that the boat you use can fit under the bridge in Cow Key Channel.
• Starting off Sigsbee, when approaching the bridge from the Gulf side, keep the red on your port side and
the green on starboard. This will continue all the way through.
• Bridge clearance is approximately 9 feet during a high tide. Be sure to adjust anything you may have on
top of your boat beforehand.
Check Points:
• 1: first one is entering the Harbor—off Fort Zach; The first Checkpoint is a boat with large orange buoy
on the bow—anchored before entering the Harbor. The support boat/kayak will need to call out their
number to staff on board.
• 2: Second one is exiting the Harbor under Fleming Key. The check person will be on top of the bridge.
• 3: Third checkpoint is under the Cow Key Bridge. The check person will be located under the bridge
looking for numbers. Remember to call out the number.
Safety:
• The Coast Guard Sector Key West monitors VHF Channel 16. In the event you need to hail a boat outside
this event, you would use this channel. This channel should only be used for hailing boaters outside this
event and distress.
• If any of the swimmers or others develops medical issues during the event, contact: VHF Marine
channel 78 and or by cell phone 305-360-2124. Extraction points for swimmer will depend on the
general area where the issue or emergency occurs.
• Following are locations for extraction points in case of emergency:
o Higgs Beach
o Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
o Simonton Street Boat Ramp
o Coast Guard Station Key West
o Sigsbee Patio Beach
o Ibis Bay Resort
o Marriott Resort Beachside
o Hurricane Hole Marina
o Smather’s Beach
Do not enter:
• The area in front of Higg's Beach that extends to the end of Simonton is The Key West Marine Park
indicted by swimming boundary buoys.
• The area inside the submerged pier at Higg’s beach is a no entry zone for boaters. Must anchor outside
of that area. When anchoring, be sure to anchor in sand patches. Do not anchor on top of seagrass of
coral as it harms our marine life.
• Smather’s Beach swim area: There are active swimming areas in front of Smather’s Beach indicated by
pilings. Please stay outside those pilings for the safety of others.
• Under no circumstance may a boater enter the area inside the Navy Mole (in front of Truman Annex)
