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Boating in Aventura: rules & local knowledge
The essentials for running a boat between Hallandale, Aventura, Sunny Isles and Haulover Inlet: what Florida requires of you, where the slow zones are, and what to know about the bridges and the inlet.
Rules & requirements
Boater education card required if born on or after Jan 1, 1988
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 must complete an approved boating safety course and carry the FWC Boating Safety Education ID Card to operate a vessel with an engine of 10 horsepower or more in Florida. The card does not expire and is not a boating license. Source
Boating under the influence limit is .08
Florida makes it illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, the same limit as for driving. FWC runs stepped-up BUI patrols on busy holiday weekends. Source
Year-round slow and idle zones around Oleta and Maule Lake
State manatee rules make the waters around Oleta River State Park, Maule Lake and Dumfoundling Bay year-round slow speed outside the main Intracoastal channel. The Oleta River south of Maule Lake and northwest of the Biscayne Boulevard bridge is year-round idle speed. Source
Seasonal manatee speed limits on the Intracoastal, Nov 15 to Apr 30
From November 15 through April 30, the main Intracoastal channel through Dumfoundling Bay drops to slow speed, with a 30 mph maximum the rest of the year. Between the Broad Causeway and the JFK Causeway the channel is slow speed in season and 35 mph max otherwise. Source
Haulover boat ramp fees and weekend closures
The Haulover Park boat ramp is open 24 hours, with trailer parking at $20 plus tax on weekdays and $30 plus tax Friday through Sunday and on holidays. The entrance may close on weekends and holidays when the lot reaches capacity. Source
Respect Baker's Haulover Inlet
Baker's Haulover Inlet, cut in 1925 between Bal Harbour and Sunny Isles, is the area's only direct link from north Biscayne Bay to the Atlantic. Its mix of wind, strong tides and natural obstacles can produce large waves capable of swamping unprepared boats, so check tide and wind before transiting. Source
Bridges, inlet & waterway
Baker's Haulover Inlet: A1A fixed bridge clearance
A fixed bridge carrying SR A1A crosses the inlet with about 32 ft of vertical clearance, which limits taller vessels. The inlet was cut in 1925 and links northern Biscayne Bay to the Atlantic. Source
Baker's Haulover Inlet: depth, current and route to the ICW
The inlet is reported to hold about 12 ft, with 10 ft depths on the run north to the ICW. Currents run about 4 to 6 knots. Inbound past the A1A bridge, the channel turns sharply to starboard and runs about 0.6 mile north to the ICW at flashing green 5. Use NOAA Chart 11467 and current Local Notices to Mariners. Source
Baker's Haulover Inlet: outgoing tide against swell
The inlet's reputation comes mainly from an outgoing tide running against incoming ocean swell, which builds steep standing waves at the mouth. There is no speed limit east of the A1A bridge. Source
Sunny Isles Causeway (NE 163rd St) bascule bridge
Bascule bridge with about 30 ft of closed vertical clearance. Weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. it opens on the quarter-hour and three-quarter-hour, and on weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. At other times it opens on request. Hail on VHF 9. Source
William Lehman Causeway (NE 192nd St) bridge
Fixed high-level bridge with 65 ft of vertical clearance over the ICW between Aventura and Golden Beach/Sunny Isles. No openings are needed. Source
Hallandale Beach Blvd (SR 858) bascule bridge
Bascule bridge at ICW mile 1074 with 26 ft of closed vertical clearance. It opens on the quarter-hour and three-quarter-hour. VHF 9. Source
Broad Causeway bascule bridge (Bay Harbor Islands / North Miami)
Bascule bridge at ICW mile 1081.4 with 16 ft of closed vertical clearance. It opens on signal, except from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. when it opens only on the quarter-hour and three-quarter-hour. VHF 9, phone 305-891-2221. Boaters have reported late openings. Source
Broad Causeway bridge replacement study
Bay Harbor Islands is running a PD&E study to replace the aging Broad Causeway drawbridge with a structure meeting current design and USCG standards. Design follows the study. Source
Three Islands Blvd fixed bridge (Hallandale Beach)
Hallandale Beach City Marina lies west of the Three Islands Blvd bridge, a fixed span with about 17 ft of mean high water clearance. Source
ICW federal project depth in this reach
The federal project depth for the Atlantic ICW is 12 ft from Norfolk to Fort Pierce and 10 ft from Fort Pierce to Miami (ICW mile 1089), which covers the Hallandale–Aventura–Haulover reach. Actual depths can be shallower where shoaling occurs. Source
Lowest fixed bridge on the Miami ICW
Coast Pilot gives the lowest fixed-bridge clearance on the ICW as 56 ft at the Julia Tuttle Causeway (mile 1087.1), south of this area. That matters for sailboats heading south from Aventura toward downtown Miami. Source
Haulover Park marina location on the ICW
Bill Bird Marina sits on the east side of the ICW at about statute mile 1079, with county-listed approach depths of 8 to 10 ft and 8.5 ft dockside. Source
Haulover Park boat ramp hours and fees
The Haulover Park ramps and their parking lots are open 24 hours. Launch rates are $7 per car and $20 per boat trailer on weekdays, and $10 and $30 Friday through Sunday and on holidays, plus tax. The entrance may close at capacity on weekends and holidays. Source
Maule Lake depths (Marina Palms)
Waterway Guide lists 7 ft approach and dockside depths at Marina Palms Yacht Club on Maule Lake. Marinas.com lists a 14 ft minimum channel depth. Source