Sandbar day in the Keys: the rules and the etiquette
By Brian Williamson, Key West · Updated October 2, 2026
The short answer
Most Key West sandbars sit inside the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Federal rules prohibit running a boat in a way that strikes or injures seagrass or coral — including prop scars from cutting across shallow flats — so come in slowly on the marked or deeper approach, anchor in sand, and use mooring buoys where they're provided. Then keep it simple: give other boats room, keep music to your own boat, and take everything home with you.
| Do | Don't | |
|---|---|---|
| Getting there | Approach slowly; follow the deeper water and markers | Cut across shallow seagrass flats under power |
| Anchoring | Drop anchor in sand; use a mooring buoy where one is provided | Anchor on coral or seagrass |
| Spacing | Leave room for boats to swing on their anchors | Raft up to strangers uninvited |
| Leaving | Check the tide; leave before it strands you | Leave trash, cans or bottles behind |
The sanctuary rule that matters most
Under 15 CFR 922.163, it's prohibited throughout the sanctuary to operate a vessel "in such a manner as to strike or otherwise injure coral, seagrass, or any other immobile organism attached to the seabed." Prop scars — the trenches a spinning propeller cuts through seagrass — count. If you touch bottom, stop and trim up or pole off; don't power through.
Mooring buoys
NOAA maintains mooring buoys at many reef sites so boats don't need to anchor on coral. Where a buoy is available in the sanctuary's special zones, use it.
Watch the tide
Sandbars change with the tide. A spot that's easy at high tide can strand you at low tide. Check today's tide times before you go — or let a captain handle it.
Common questions
Can I anchor anywhere at a Key West sandbar?
Anchor in sand, never on coral or seagrass. Inside the sanctuary, injuring seagrass or coral with your boat is prohibited (15 CFR 922.163), and you should use mooring buoys where they're provided.
What is a prop scar?
A trench cut through seagrass by a boat's propeller in shallow water. It's prohibited in the sanctuary (15 CFR 922.163).
Should I book a captain for a sandbar day?
If no one in your group knows the local shallows and tides, yes — a captain knows the approaches and where to anchor.
Sources
- 15 CFR Part 922, Subpart P — Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
- NOAA — Florida Keys mooring buoys
General information, not legal advice. Operators set their own rules; confirm with yours before you go.