Florida West Coast... Boating Trip
 

Weather permitting & such... The wife, I & the 2 kids are thinking about taking a week or so down in the Ft. Myers area. Plans right now are to head down on or around June 15 or 16th. Spend 5-6 days touring the west coast area and then be back in Ft.Myers for my parents 60th wedding anniversary on Friday June 23rd.

Q? is: Where would everyone suggest staying / going? I know the area a little having spent many summers on Ft Myers Beach, but I know very little about available marinas. Would it be a huge trip to ride up the coats to Tampa where we have more family? I just would need a good place to stay on the water. (ie: Marina, Hotels, etc) We can sleep on the boat if necessary but a cheap room with a shower works well too. Remember I have 2 small kids. We're driving a 38 top gun.

Re: Florida West Coast... Boating Trip
 

Lots of places to see on FL west coast.
Going South: 1hr to Naples; 1.5 hrs to Marco Island and 2 hrs to Everglades City from Ft Myers Beach.
Also you can pick up helpfull info by going to Forums and scrolling downt to Boat Club Forums and checking the Ft Myers Offshore Forum.
June is a time of year where you will have to watch for afternoon thunderstorms almost daily. Don't get caught too far offshore. No need to go too far out in any case.
More to follow: :D

Re: Florida West Coast... Boating Trip
 

Going north from Ft Myers Beach you have lots of interesting stops on Sanibel, Captiva, North Captiva and Cabbage Key. All are within 1hr of FM Beach and are accessed from intercoastal.
North from there you have Charlotte Harbor with ports like Burnt Store Marina and Fisherman's Village at Punta Gorda about 2 hrs. from FM Beach.
If you go out Boca Grande Pass you can run north to Venice 1.5 hrs, Sarasota 2hrs and Tampa Bay, St Pete's and Clearwater about 3hrs.
I'm sure others will jump in and mention some of their favorite FL west coast spots.
Hope this will be a little help.
Good luck and it will make a great family trip.
Don't forget your charts and pick up a cruising guide.
Bob :D

Re: Florida West Coast... Boating Trip
 

I would definately try to spend a night in Sarasota, a slip and a room for a night at the Hyatt is priceless.

Tampa area: I would recommend the Tierre Verde Marina/Resort. It's a great area, and close to bay and Gulf waters.

Re: Florida West Coast... Boating Trip
 

I found a great place in Treasure Island. I will have to look up the name. It is a 6 story hotel on the beach. It has additional parking across the street, on a canal leading to the ICW right around the corner from Johns Pass. It has a public boat ramp right next to there dock.

Re: Florida West Coast... Boating Trip
 

South Sea's Plantation used to be great place to stay. Alos that Jimmy Buffet/Hmburger in Paradise ret on the isalnd between Captiva and Useppa Island. Oh--check out Useppa Isalnd if you get the cance--what a place.

Re: Florida West Coast... Boating Trip
 

If you want to try something different:


Make the trip across the stae via the Okeechobee Waterway. Just make sure all the locks are operating. Stay at Roland Martin's marina halfway across on the western side of the Lake, in Clewiston.


One of the absolute best boating experiences I've ever had. Done it twice.

Re: Florida West Coast... Boating Trip
 

I have been wanting to do this trip. How long does it take to get across the state? Is there allot of no-wake zones? I want to go from head south from Tampa and then go thru the middle of the state and finally on to the Bahamas.

Re: Florida West Coast... Boating Trip
 

How about Cabbage Key? Great place to eat & spend the night.

Re: Florida West Coast... Boating Trip
 

I have done the Ok..... Waterway twice and it can be crossed in a day if you start out first thing in the morning. 5 locks I think. A few no wakes but not a lot unless it has changed in the last 5 years. Some of it is not that interesting - just a ditch. If you are staying at Rowan Martin make sure you have a reservation cause anywhere else will be a disapointment.
The Bahamas for sure would be the best part of the trip. :D
Bob