Make a Donation - Adopt a Buoy

Local schools, individuals, groups, and corporations can conceptually adopt-a-buoy to ensure the continued protection of our valuable natural resources by donating for the continued maintenance of buoys. 

Various contribution levels are available.

• Learn about adopting a buoy
• See the list of donors and sponsors

Mooring Buoy Locations

There are 14 mooring buoy locations along Miami-Dade County's shores. See each of the locations, descriptions and other characteristics.

News: In August 2023, five new sites were added to the Mooring Buoy Program: Golden Beach Artificial Reef Site, Anchorage Wreck Trek, Royal Reef, Flamingo Reef, and Paradise Reef.

• Begin the tour of mooring buoy locations
• Use the GIS application to find reef and buoy locations
• View the buoy maps and coordinates

Proper Mooring Buoy Use

Please maintain idle speed with no wake in the vicinity of the mooring buoys. Watch for swimmers, snorkelers, divers and diver bubbles. Follow these instructions:

• Slowly approach the mooring buoy head-on against the wind or current (whichever is stronger and will have the greatest effect on the boat's course). The mooring buoy pick-up line will be pointed toward you in the direction of the current/wind.
• Never tie your boat directly to the pick-up line as this puts too much stress on the buoy anchor system.

Always connect to the mooring buoy with a line from your boat. To secure your boat to the mooring buoy, follow these steps:

• Cleat off one end of the bowline to the bow.
• Use a hook to lift up the pick-up line. 

• Run the free line of the bowline through the eye of the pick-up line.

• Cleat the free end of the bowline to the bow of your boat.

• With the proper amount of scope, the buoy should not be pulled under the water by the action of the boat. During rough weather, add extra scope to the pick-up line to improve the ride of your boat and reduce wear on the buoy system.
• Use buoys at your own risk! Always inspect the buoy system your boat is moored to. Check that the lines and buoy are in good condition and the mooring system is holding as intended.

Note: Vessel captains are responsible for the safety of their vessels and passengers. Miami-Dade County assumes no liability for the use of any mooring buoy.

Maintaining a Mooring Buoy

Regular maintenance is necessary to keep the mooring buoys in good working condition. The Miami-Dade County Mooring Buoy Program requires monthly and quarterly maintenance inspections for each buoy.

Monthly inspections:

• Inspect all buoys and pickup lines.
• Clean pickup lines of growth or replace as needed.
• Clean buoys and check for cracks; replace as needed.
• Inspect and clean exposed portions of the buoy through-line and replace as needed.

Quarterly inspections -- complete all tasks required during monthly maintenance, as well as:

• Inspect down line and protective hosing for wear and damage; replace as needed.
• Inspect down line and protective hosing for wear and damage; replace as needed.
• Inspect anchor for wear or damage; replace as needed.

If you would like to help with the maintenance of the Miami-Dade County mooring buoys, learn how you can adopt a buoy, or contact the Program Manager at [email protected] or 305-372-6789.

Feedback

When mooring buoys are installed, preventive maintenance is the key to sustaining the entire program and system. Please help us keep the mooring buoys in good working condition by immediately reporting damage to any part of the mooring buoy system or by reporting missing mooring buoys or by reporting a found buoy no longer attached.