Boating, Fishing, and Travel Information for Cow Key Channel, FL

Cow Key Channel connects Stock Island and Key West. The channel is known to change frequently, causing many to advise boaters to acquire local knownledge before navigating beneath its bridges. The Cow Key Channel Bridge is also home to an annual Zero K Bridge Run.

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Boating in Cow Key Channel, FL Map View

Scuba tanks can be filled at a diving facility on the east side of the channel at the bridges. An adjacent marina has berths, water, ice, limited supplies, and a launching ramp. Another marina is on Stock Island about 0.5 mile north of the bridges; berths, gasoline, storage, and marine supplies are available. A forklift can haul out boats to 25 feet for engine repairs.
Navigation:
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Cow Key Channel, between Stock Island and Key West, is narrow and marked by private daybeacons. A shoal that bares is about 0.2 mile south-southwest of the southwest point of Cow Key. In 1999, the reported controlling depth was 3√Ç½ feet to the highway bridges about 0.9 mile above the entrance. In 1983, it was reported that the channel was subject to frequent change. Mariners are advised to seek local knowledge before entering the channel. Two fixed bridges with a least clearance of 36 feet horizontal and 9 feet vertical cross the channel between the keys. An overhead cable crosses the channel with a least clearance of 25 feet. The channel north of the highway bridges is unmarked and difficult to follow.