[yachtbrokerguy]

I have done the trip back and forth from New England/ Northeast to Florida over 30 times including this area you talk about. One trip was on a 62 Nordhavn. I would avoid the Alligator River and canal and take the sound route if weather permits. The sounds are shallow and waves get close together and steep with NE or East winds.
My brief tips are for all of the ICW.
Keep looking behind you to make sure you are still in the middle of the channel.
Keep to the outside of the curve in most situations, do not cut short to the next marker.
At every inlet, wherever the ocean meets the ICW, be careful of shoaling.