Bakers Haulover Inlet is the first (and northernmost) of two inlets that allow ocean access to and from Biscayne Bay in the Miami area. This is a popular and busy inlet the allows boaters from the northern Biscayne Bay area to access the ocean without making the long trek to Government Cut in South Miami.

Bakers Haulover Inlet is situated near Intracoastal Waterway Mile 1080 about 15 miles south of Ft. Lauderdale and 10 miles north of the Miami Beach area. The image above is a view from the east looking west over the inlet with the state Route A1A bridge visible in the center portion of the image. The ICW runs past the small spoil island in the background.

The inlet itself was mapped as early as 1823, and the full inlet was cut in 1925. The inlet reportedly got its name from a man named Baker who hauled small boats over the narrow strip of land where the inlet now lies.

Use NOAA Chart 11467.

The approach from either side of the Bakers Haulover Inlet is fairly straightforward, but there is a 32-foot fixed vertical clearance bridge that crosses the inlet channel, limiting overhead clearance for some. Depths in the inlet are reported to be holding at 12 feet, and the only other notable navigational issue to mind are the strong current that wash in and out of the inlet at speed up to four to six knots. Clear of the inlet, the passage north to the ICW carries 10-foot depths.

From the ocean, set a course to intercept the area near waypoint 25 54.015N 80 06.886W. Once you have picked up the waypoint, set an approximate course of 275 degrees magnetic to line up with the center of the inlet. Once you have passed under the A1A Bridge, the channel makes a sharp turn to starboard and proceeds about .6 mile to the north until meeting up with the Intracoastal Waterway at flashing green “5.”

The Haulover Beach Park Marina is located to the north of the inlet, but unfortunately doe not have transient slips available. You may be able to arrange a slip by calling ahead, though.

Local Notices to Mariners are now exclusively available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.