My GF and I are making the trip from Naples/Marco to Little Palm Island Resort later this month. A couple of questions. It looks like the best place to pass from the gulf to the Atlantic would be just south of Marathon. Is that right? Anything I should know about approaching Marathon from the NW? Best place to pass?

I'll be needing gas. Anyone have a favorite marina in the area?

Finally, any good day trips or boat to bar/restaurants in the area?

Thanks in advance,
Jim

Here is what I would suggest. Once you clear the Cape Romano Shoals just south of Marco set a coarse for North West Cape at the bottom of mainland, FL. Once there head south to Marathon where you can get food and fuel. When you are about 10 miles out from Marathon, a few radio towers on Marathon will come into view. Head for the most southerly one. From about 8 miles north of Marathon you will need to keep an eye out for a couple of shoals. They are marked. When you are about 5 miles out, aim for a point about 3/4 of a mile to the north of the start of Seven Mile Bridge. Once you reach the ICW ( about a mile north of Marathon ) you can run on an angle towards the bridge. ( there will be a shoal on your right ( starboard side ) Pass under the 3rd or 4th span and you are now on the Atlantic side. Pass Knight Key on your left and then pick up the marked channel that will take you into Vaca Key where you can get fuel and lunch / drinks at Lazy Dayz. When you leave there you can then pick up the Hawk Channel ( Atlantic side still ) and make your way south to Little Palm Island. Nice destination !
The Google Earth picture posted is not intended for navigation. Always follow your charts.
Enjoy.

Bob


GE Marathon by bobthebuilder707, on Flickr

Thanks Bob!

Anytime. I should also mention too, that once you clear the Cape Romano Shoals it is all deep water with no shoaling until you get to around 8 miles north of Marathon. By deep I mean 20' from Cape Romano to NW Cape and 8' to 10' deep across Florida Bay to Marathon.
Another tip, if the Gulf is nasty rather than go way out around the Cape Romano Shoal take the Marco River to Goodland then you can do a straight shot from Coon Key to NW Cape works good. Sometime I can show you how to come in Caxambas Pass at the south end of Marco for a quicker route to Coon Key but is too tricky to describe.

Have a great trip.

Bob

Thanks again Bob. This is very helpful. Hopefully sometime soon I'll see your boat on the water somewhere around Marco. Jim

Bob, if you happen to see this, this is the weekend for the Little Palm Island trip. Today looks great but what do you think about the weather for our return on Sunday? We are pretty experienced boaters but haven't spent much time in big water.

Thanks,
Jim