One of our “really want to do’s” on this trip was to take the Okeechobee Waterway (OCWW) across the state of Florida. We constantly look for new and different adventures and sights. The ICW is a great place to cruise, but a chance to turn off and experience a different waterway was right up our alley. Before we planned this trip, we never imagined that one could navigate the entire Florida peninsula. In three days, for a total of 112 miles, we traveled from the Atlantic to the Gulf, the East Coast to the West Coast of Florida.
Lake Okeechobee was named by the Seminoles and means “big water.” Being 79 miles long and having a surface area of 730 square miles, half the size of Rhode Island, Lake Okeechobee is the second largest body of fresh water entirely in the United States. However, it is very shallow with depths from 7-11 feet. It is believed thousands of years ago when ocean water receded to create Florida, some water was left behind in a shallow depression that formed the lake bed. Swimming is not allowed and highly discouraged in Lake Okeechobee. The reason, tens of thousands of alligators live in this lake. Supposedly, you can see many gators on your travels through these parts, but we only saw the nose of one.
The 154 mile, Okeechobee Waterway (OCWW) provides a shortcut from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico and divides central Florida and South Florida. Needing to transit 5 locks and time many bridge openings, we planned our travel on this waterway into three days. The first segment had us traveling the St. Lucie River where we tied up to the dolphins (no, not the mammals – see the picture below) outside the Port Mayaca Lock and spent the night. This allowed us to queue up for day 2 and cross Lake Okeechobee early when the winds were low. After an easy crossing and clearing the Moore Haven Lock, we docked at Riverhouse Marina. Once we had our ‘here beer’ and did some chores, we walked to the local Eagles Club where we enjoyed chatting with the the locals, drinks and a steak dinner. On day 3, we traveled the Caloosahatchee River to Ft. Myers docking at the Marina at Edison Ford , where we intend to stay until the New Year!
St. Lucie River – Day 1
We pulled up our anchor at Hoggs Cove in St. Lucie a little anxious about the new experience ahead of us. We needed to time three bridges that were within a stones throw of each other and no room to move or turn around, then 40 minutes down the river was lock that would raise us 14 feet. Supposedly, because this lock does not use pumps and just opens the gates, you get lots of turbulence and current. To end the day, we planned on using a bow and stern line to tie up between two dolphins out side of the second lock. We did our research, had our notes, and off we went. With temperatures around 80, the sun shining, amazing lock masters and bridge tenders, bountiful sights and calm waters it was an absolutely wonderful day!
Crossing Lake Okeechobee – Day 2
Caloosahatchee Canal – Day 3
Day three was the final segment of traveling the Okeechobee Waterways. Our route was on the Caloosahatchee River from Moore Haven to Ft. Myers. Early morning fog and mist did not curtail our planned departure at 6AM. With temperatures around 71 and quickly rising we know the fog would not last. A beautiful sunrise was our treat for the early pulling away from the dock. The Caloosahatchee River was wide and deep making it unlike the other waterway traveled over the last few days. The deep water borders all kinds of vegetation including lush ferns and stately oaks. There appeared to be patches of construction to the landscape. A few spots had piles and piles of dirt, sand and stones and every here and there a front end loader or crane. During this segment, we needed to clear two locks; one dropping Three Sons nine feet and the other a three foot drop. Many bridges were on the route but three needed to open for us to clear. One of these bridges, once you radioed the bridgetender, a lovely older woman, she got out of car, closed the gates walked to middle of the bridge and opened it. The closer our approach to Ft. Myers, the bridges became bigger and wider, high rises appeared, jet skis bounced around and boats went faster. The Marina at Edison Ford is completely rebuilt after hurricane Ian, with construction projects still happening. They have been open for two months and pretty sure Three Sons was the second boat the new deckhand ever helped.
Segment Stats
- Hoggs Cove/St. Lucie, FL to Port Mayca Lock – OCWW
- Thursday, November 30
- Cruising Time: 4 hours 22 minutes
- 29.7 Nautical Miles
- Route: St. Lucie River/Okeechobee Water Way Mile 4-38 (Statute Miles)
- Weather: Sunny, Temperatures: 65-85, Winds: NNE 5-10mph
- Tied up to dolphins outside of Port Mayaca Lock
- Port Macaya, FL to Moore Haven, FL
- Friday, December 1, 2023
- Cruising Time: 4 hours 57 minutes
- 33.9 Nautical Miles
- Route: Lake Okeechobee (Route 1 Crossing Lake Okeechobee to Clewiston (open water) then Rim Route to Moore Haven)
- Weather: Sunny, Temperatures: 61-85 Winds: W 6mph
- Docked at Riverhouse Marina. Directly on Caloosahatchee Canal, 0.5 NM past Moore Haven Lock
- Moore Haven, FL to Ft. Myers, FL
- Saturday, December 2, 2023
- Cruising Time: 6 hours 36 minutes
- 48.4 Nautical Miles
- Route: OCWW Mile 78- 135 via Caloosahatchee River
- Weather: Sunny/HOT, Temperatures: 70-86 Winds: SE 5mph
- Docked at The Marina at Edison Ford