Port Tarpon Marina is the largest of several facilities gathered along Anclote River’s northern banks near marker #40. Recommendations like the one from Captains Bob and Ann below are perhaps the very best indication of a quality operation!!!

While on our trek home from Florida to Nashville, TN my wife came down with a very bad case of vertigo. What to do? We decided that we would have to cut short our journey but where? We ended up staying at Port Tarpon Marina.
The management of that marina went above and beyond what we could have asked them to do. Not only did they make sure that we had transportation to and from town but also the doctor and the pharmacies. The beauty of this marina is not only the management but it is the first marina on the port side as you approach Tarpon Springs, the water is over 9 feet at the dock, so there is no worry about running aground. The marina was clean, etc. I can not say enough good things about Port Tarpon and the crew.
After talking with them they are now members of the AGLCA so if you are going to stop at Tarpon Springs, please stop at Port Tarpon Marina.
Bob and Ann Levine
Sandpiper 44 Endeavour Cat

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Port Tarpon Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Port Tarpon Marina

One of the real advantage to our new ARGUS service, is that we receive advance warning of new shallow water reports directly from Survice Engineering. Be SURE to follow the “Chart View” link below to get a bird’s eye view of where this shallow spot is to be found. After following the link, turn on the new Argus layer by clicking in the “Argus (MLLW)” checkbox.
As you will see, the shallow soundings in question seem to lie just north of the intersection between the Clearwater Pass inlet channel and the marked, northward running cut which leads to Clearwater Yacht Club and Clearwater Municipal Marina, between markers #2 and #4.
We would WELCOME reports from local Clearwater area cruisers who have seen similar or dissimilar soundings along this stretch!!! Please click the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, and share your information.
We are establishing a Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Navigational Alert between markers #2 and #4!

Capt. Bill of Reality Check Sailing provides this report on the approach to Clearwater Marina. Capt. Bill noted water depths as low as 5 1/2 feet, confirming previous indications now available through Cruisers Net.
John Hersey
ARGUS Development Team
SURVICE Engineering

http://argus.survice.com

We ran aground between G6 and G7, less than 5 feet on that side of the channel. Favor R4 side in that area.
Stealing Home

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position on the Channel from Clearwater Pass to Clearwater Municipal Marina

Everyone refers to the large, downtown Sarasota, Florida “city marina” as “Marina Jacks” but, in reality, that is the name of the on-site restaurant, and the maritime part of the operation is officially known as “Marina Operations.” For twenty years, I’ve never heard a single, fellow cruiser use this moniker.
Whatever you call it, the food at Marina Jacks is certainly good, In March of 2012, I had the pleasure of speaking to the Sarasota Power Squadron, upstairs at Marina Jacks. A GOOD time was had by all, particularly yours truly!

Don’t miss Marina Jack, Sarasota. Dining from outdoor casual to upstairs white tablecloth. !st class marina facilities, and professional staff. Lovely city waterfront park on-site. Easy walk to Main St. with dozens of more dining choices.
Blake Whitney

We stopped here in early May 2012. The staff are anxious to help, floating docks are roomy, laundry and shower facilities clean,a free newspaper is at your slip daily, and free DIY pumpout is available at the slip. We loved being able to take the courtesy van to the Ringling Museums. Only gripe is the charge for WiFi – almost every marina now has FREE WiFi.
Julie Stocksdale

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Marina Operations/Marina Jacks

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marina Operations/Marina Jacks

Captain Sara contacted me and asked if the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net would be interested in publishing a list of on-the-water, cruising craft accessible restaurants in SW Florida. I may have gotten a bad case of whip-lash from saying “YES!!!!” soooo quickly.
Anyway, check out Sara’s message below, and PLEASE send her info directly if you can.
Once their June cruise is complete, we will publish Sara’s dining directory here so it can be a lasting tool for the cruising community!!!

In advance of my bareboat charter out of St. Pete down to the Keys in June, I’m compiling a list of restaurants that offer tie-ups to boaters. I will be collecting lat/long, depth, dockage description, dining experience and any other relevant data for each restaurant. This information will then be made freely available to the boating community. If you have info to share that would make the resource more useful to all, please contact me via email at:

saraburns2000 AT yahoo DOT com

If all goes well, I believe I might have found another interesting and productive hobby! Thanks!
Sara Burns
Facilitator, The Work of Byron Katie
Transforming Education in America

Honestly, I have always considered this facility to be a “train wreck” on each and every occasion I have visited here since the first edition of my “Cruising Guide to Western Florida” in 1993. Clearly, there are others with a very different opinion, and Captain Broom (see below) is not the first to defend this facility and its owner.

The above comments [earlier reviews of this marina - editor] are a little out of date. Barry has continued to work on cleaning up after Charlie. Most all of the old boats are gone. Environmental problems have been taken care of. The biggest complaints come from cultural differences. Those of us that want a old Florida style DIY marina and those that have moved in recently and want a modern yachty marine. It is still a good usable marina that takes care of the locals here. Part of the problem has been people bringing in old boats to work on and then abandoning their. It would also help if people would stop dropping off their unwanted cats there, knowing that Barry will take care of them.
I have been a twenty year year resident in the neighborhood and not afraid to post my name.
Ted Broom

Well, as you will see below, I was challenged to amplify my “train wreck” comment above.

I have to say that describing a place as a “train wreck” is not very useful. What exactly does that tell me? Some details about what is wrong (or right) with the place would help others to know what to expect and to make a decision whether to stop there or not.
Don Million

Well, here goes. I’ve never been at this facility where I did not spy a host of ugly, abandoned craft, spread around the grounds, and sometimes at the docks. The entire marina is overrun with the largest population of stray cats I’ve ever seen, and the odor of cat urine wafts its way through the air everywhere. There has always been other trash lying around, and the one time I met the marina owner, I was, to be blunt, not impressed. In short, this is one of those marinas/yards, where I’ve sometimes paused to ask myself how it could possibly have survived this many years. Clear enough?

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Riviera Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Riviera Marina

SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR Riviera Dunes Marina is offering some really appetizing summer dockage and long term dockage special. TAKE A LOOK!

We are currently running the following specials:

I. 3 month lease for the annual rate of $10/ft

II. Month-to-month @ $12/ft. (vs $16)

III. Annual lease gets you the 13th month free

We now also have 4 dedicated slips for small boats (up to 26’) for $219/mo. or a 3 mo. lease that includes the fuel discount for tenants. All 3 month deals end after 3 months; no renewals. Special Hurricane Safe Harbor Storm Reservation Program
Doc

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Riviera Dunes Marina Resort

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Riviera Dunes Marina Resort

Glad to hear that Captain Steve discovered good depths moving upstream on the Indian Key channel to Everglades City. Some other cruisers have reported thin soundings at low water along certain stretches of this channel.
And, while Steve did discover some self service gasoline to pump, that does not solve the problem of finding Diesel fuel in Everglades City. Has anyone found a place to purchase diesel here??????

I posted a question some time ago about finding Fuel in Everglades City. I had found a marina there just up the river from the Rod and Gun club online and they advertised fuel. You posted my question and no one had any experience at
that time. I just wanted to let you know, i did go back there and found the fuel. I had plenty of depth. It was a self surface pump (gasoline only) that takes credit cards. There was a very nice floating dock and ramp. It was very
convenient and offered us a nice stop on the way to Key Large for refueling.
Thanks,
Steve

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For the Rod and Gun Club

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Rod and Gun Club and Everglades City

Well, of course, Legacy Harbour Marina is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!!!

If you want to experience a top notch marina while visiting a wonderful Florida city, consider a night or two or an entire season at the Legacy Harbour Marina in downtown Fort Myers. It will fulfill your every dream, ie floating docks, protected harbor, dockside pumpout, cable TV, Internet, attentive dock hands when coming or going, security fences, boaters lounge, swimming pool, cabana for hanging out, free parking, walking distance to bakery, Publix grocery story, liquor store and restaurants, weekend entertainment at adjacent city park, marina movie nights, and competive rates. If you need work done on your boat, they have a full service of
contractors. Try it the next time you are in the area and you will find it hard to beat.
Stay safe,
Tom (the weather guy)

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Legacy Harbour Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Legacy Harbour Marina

Saw the signs for “Dock and Dine” at the Marker 4 marina. Tried to contact on vhf with no answer. Called the restaurant and they said “sure, come on in, just pick a slip”. Up to this point, everything is great. Great restaurant, grocery store near by, and good food and vibes at the restaurant. However, at sunset, here comes the so called dock master, who wants two dollars a foot for dockage, forget the “dock and dine” sign. Forget that you have no power or water or that you just go suckered into a “dock and dine” situation. I have just about crossed Venice off my list of stop over sites. it seems like just when you think everything is going OK, someone intervenes and give the town a bad reputation for cruisers.
I paid the dock master $1.50 a foot just to keep peace for a slip. I’m sure the cash never made it out of his pocket into the confers of the marina owners.
Bob & Pat Hutchison
S/V Maverick

Doesn’t dock and dine mean just what it said? You had free dockage while you dined. How do you expect to get a free night of dockage after that? You eat, you go back to your boat and you leave to drop your anchor back in a proper anchorage, not think dock and dine entities you to stay all night for free and then accuse the dock master of pocketing what was actually less than the required fee.
You can actually still drive a boat after eating and at night.
Jesse

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Fishermens Wharf Marina Park

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fishermens Wharf Marina Park

Apparently, Esplanade Marina on Marco Island’s Smokehouse Bay will no longer allow dinghy dockage unless you spend all your time ashore at the marina and its surrounding shopping complex. It’s a good thing there is another source of dinghy dockage nearby at the local Winn Dixie (see below).
We verified this report by calling Esplanade Marina on 4/23/12, and were told their “dinghy slip space is for patrons of the Esplanade.” So, looks like Captain Noel’s info is accurate!

April 19, 2012 — We are anchored in Smokehouse Bay and just notified the harbormaster of our intention to come ashore to do some shopping and sightseeing around the island. We were informed that new rules have been adopted that anyone coming into the Esplanade docks will be required to remain on Esplanade property. I was informed that a dinghy found at he dock earlier was going to be “locked up”. The harbormaster was very polite and informative. I’m sure the rules are not his to decide – only enforce. We will be proceeding to the dock behind the Winn-Dixie where we expect our presence and money will be more welcome.
Noel

It’s their private property. I see nothing wrong with this. Especially with a great dock at Winn Dixie.
Ted

And, well considered input directly from the folks at Esplanade Marina:

While the above reports are true, I think that it is important to clarify that this rule actually has always been in effect and is contained in the Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions that were filed 04/02/2003 with Collier County, FL. In this document we have USE RESTRICTIONS that outline how and what of our marina will be used for the general boating public. This outlines that in fact the general boating public has access to the Esplanade to conduct business at the Esplanade. (Para phrasing of course with consideration to time and space with no change to the intent),. In addition it goes on to say that the Esplanade Marina Board of Directors has the full responsibility of enacting and enforcing rules regarding dockage and the entire marina facility property.
With all of that stated; in the past, the Marina Board, my staff and I attempted to be very generous with our enforcement of the rules when it came to cruisers moored in Smokehouse Bay. However after having our generosity taken advantage of more and more over the last 24 months by cruisers who have trespassed on to locked private gated docks to dump trash and fill water, cruisers who came in to walk pets and did not pick up after the pets, documented and proven cases of cruisers who have been pumping waste straight overboard into the water, and more and more cruisers who would leave dinghy’s tied to our docks for 5,6,7 and 8 hours a day without contacting the Dockmaster we decided that we needed to take a more defined level of enforcement regarding how our docks are being used.
So with all of that said here is our current policy that follows our Use Restrictions, and Marina Guidelines generally related to dinghies and Boaters moored in the bay so there is no question:
All vessels entering into the Esplanade Marina must abide by all Coast Guard Regulations or will not be allowed to dock.
The Esplanade Marina technically does not provide any dingy dockage however will allow those with dinghies to dock only on the single floating slip to the left of the mole located between B and C dock. If a powerboat is in this spot than unfortunately we will have no dingy dockage at that time regardless of what other space exists at that time. All guest dockage is limited to 2 hours.
All Guest dockage is for the use of the Esplanade Businesses only. You may not dock your dingy and leave the Esplanade Property; if you do so your dingy may be locked to the dock and or towed at the owner’s expense.
All Boats needing dockage must contact the Dockmaster either on VHF ch.16 or by phone number provided on the whalers of all docks.
The Esplanade will not accept any Trash from any boat and will not fill water containers.
The Esplanade Marina will provide Pump Out services to any boat based on Dockmaster availability. You must schedule your pump out in advance.
It is and always has been the intent of the Esplanade Marina Board of Directors, its Staff and Slip Owners to be good neighbors and great Stewards of the Sea’s that we all share. It is however our responsibility to those individuals and businesses invested in the Esplanade Property to make sure that we are taking each one of them into consideration when it comes to how we manage the Marina Property. We hope that all Boaters can understand and appreciate the knowledge that we welcome you to our property with the understanding that while you are here you are our guests and must follow a simple set of rules that we have set forth.
We look forward to seeing you on the water and on the docks.
Kris Greenough
Dockmaster

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For Smokehouse Bay Anchorage

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Smokehouse Bay Anchorage

The Seafood Shack Marina and Restaurant guard the eastern flanks of the Western Florida ICW, only a few miles south of the Waterway’s entrance into Tampa Bay, hard by the Cortez Bridge. The marina part of this operation has always seemed a bit “casual” to me over the years, but our dining experience here has always been good.

Nice people at the restaurant. Docks are in terrible disrepair.
M. Farinas

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Seafoof Shack Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Seafoof Shack Marina

Longboat Key Moorings, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, lies along the western shores of Sarasota Bay, north of the like named city, and south of Longboat Pass. LKM is blessed with a very well sheltered harbor, and there is an excellent shopping center with supermarket and multiple restaurant within easy walking distance, And, would you believe, there’s even a golf course next door!

Very classy marina. Helpful staff. Excellent facilities. Italian restaurant needs a real Italian chef.
M. Farinas

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Longboat Key Moorings

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Longboat Key Moorings

The Alafia River entrance channel from Hillsborough Bay is heavily used by commercial vessels coming to and from a large fertilizer facility which lines the river’s northern banks. HOWEVER, cruising craft also make use of this passage to access several anchorages (see links below) and Inter Bay Moorings, a marina and repair yard facility on the upstream side of the river’s westernmost 28-foot fixed bridge.
From the description below, it looks like a major dredging operation is starting on the river’s approach cut as this is being typed. ALL Tampa Bay – Hillsborough Bay mariners bound for Alafia River, should proceed with the greatest caution.
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is declaring a Navigation Alert for these waters while dredging operating are in progress.

FLORIDA-WEST COAST-TAMPA BAY-HILLSBOROUGH BAY-ALAFIA RIVER: Dredging Operations.
Goodloe Marine, Inc. will commence dredging operations on or about April 15, 2012 on the Alafia River. Operations will begin at N 27 50 49.9/ W 82 26 26.3 and progress to the east to the turning basin at Mosaic docks N 27 51 25/ W82 23 22.8 between Alafia River Buoy 2 (LLNR 23250) and Alafia River Daybeacon 16 (LLNR 23320). There will be numerous buoys, anchors, pipelines, barges and other equipment located within the channel and outside the channel limits. All equipment will be lighted and the hydraulic Dredge “TENACIOUS” can monitor VHF-FM channels 16 and 13. Operations will continue until approximately August 1, 2012. Mariners are urged to use extreme caution in the area and pass the dredge and equipment at a slow speed and proceed with caution throughout the channel. Project point of contact is Mr. Ben Goodloe at 813-355-7494. Chart 11416

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For the Alafia River Interior Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For the Alafia River Spoil Island Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For the Alafia River Bird Island Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Inter Bay Moorings

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at the Alafia River Entrance Channel

Jug Creek cuts into the western shores of extreme northern Pine Island, north of Useppa Island. This stream provides access to shallow Four Winds Marina, and successful entry from the deeper waters of Charlotte Harbor is a trick proposition, courtesy of correctly charted Jug Creek Shoal. Marker #11 is the northernmost aid to navigation on the Jug Creek entry channel, and it has now been replaced.

Charlotte Harbor, FL. The green day board at the entrance to Jug Creek, #11 from Charlotte Harbor is missing, as of Friday, March 30, 2012. This makes finding the entrance thru the shoals difficult.
Treadsdock

Mark was replaced as of 4/12/12.
Ron McGuire

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jug Creek

We simply can’t praise our good friends, Barbara and Vic Hansen at Southwest Florida Yachts enough. Not only are these good people a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, but they also offer one of the best power and sail charter fleets in Florida, and all within easy cruising distance of the cruising rich waters of Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor. What’s not to like?

PDQ 34-Foot Catamaran Joins Charter Fleet at Southwest Florida Yachts
Named ChriSea, the roomy power cat has two queen bed cabins and offers economical cruising in the Pine Island-Sanibel-Captiva corridor
NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla., April 5, 2012 –Southwest Florida Yachts has added a new PDQ 34 Power Cat – ChriSea — to its charter fleet for cruising the scenic Pine Island-Sanibel-Captiva corridor.
The spacious catamaran features two cabins with queen-sized beds, a fully-equipped galley and a roomy head with a separate shower. It has a large dinette with a settee that converts to an extra large bed for additional sleeping room. Amenities include a generator, color TV, washer and dryer, and a CD player with stereo speakers. The skipper’s array of navigation and operation electronics includes GPS and autopilot.
Barb Hansen of Southwest Florida yachts said the power vessel is economical to charter and to operate. It charters for only $3273 per week in the summer and $4090 in the winter. The vessel is known for being stingy with gasoline. It is powered by twin Yanmar diesel engines, each generating 100 hp.
Hansen said summer charters of three days or longer will earn two free days of cruising as part of a three-year celebration of the company’s 50th anniversary in 2014. Winter cruises of three days or more from Dec. 15 to April 30 earn one free day of cruising.
Hansen said ChriSea is docked at Marinatown Marina in N. Fort Myers. Marinatown Marina provides quick cruising access, via the Caloosahatchee River, to the sheltered Gulf ICW. ChriSea is now part of a fleet of nine power cruisers from 32 to 50 feet The company’s five-boat sailing charter fleet is based at Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda.
Southwest Florida is ranked as one of the best cruising and sailing areas in the world. Visitors have scored the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva as the best islands to visit for their ambiance, beaches, friendliness, restaurants and scenery.
For more information about Southwest Florida Yachts and Florida Sailing & Cruising School visit http://www.swfyachts.com, http://www.flsailandcruiseschool.com, http://www.swfyachtsales.com Mailing Address: 3444 Marinatown Lane, N.W., N. Fort Myers, FL 33903. Telephone: 800-262-7939 or 239-656-1339, or email info@swfyachts.com

Higel Park is a city maintained park with a wooden dock and anchorage for stays up to 18 hours. And, as Capt. Sullivan points out, Fishermens Wharf-Marker 4 Marina lines the northeastern shores of the Western Florida ICW, just northwest of the Hatchett Creek Bridge, and southeast of marker #4.

Tried to anchor at Higel Park anchorage March 19, 2012, but found it too shallow even for our 3′ draft. Unable to find an anchorage, we docked at Marker 4 Marina which we can recommend. Well protected, good facilities, friendly people, and lower dockage rate than Crow’s Nest. Good restaurant, too. I read they were damaged by the hurricane but they are in business now. Marker 4 Marina is located at Marker 4 just NE of the Tamiami North bridge, just N of the “ditch” going S from Venice. Main business, like Crow’s Nest, is a restaurant [Marker 4 Oyster Bar and Restaurant]. But they have large new floating docks with plenty of space and welcomed us at $2/ft. I didn’t inquire about depth, as we docked at the end and only draw 3′, but there were several large boats there. In the absence of a good anchorage, they would be my first choice at Venice.
Dennis Sullivan

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Fishermens Wharf Marker 4 Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fishermens Wharf Marker 4 Marina

This channel dredging will occur southeast of Gadsden Point, northwest of Apollo Beach and south of the Alafia River Channel.

FLORIDA-TAMPA BAY- HILLSBOROUGH BAY (CUTS A + C) AND ALAFIA RIVER: Dredging Operations.
Orion Marine Construction Inc will commence dredging operations in the Hillsborough Bay and the Alafia River on or about April 9 until approximately July 1, 2012.
Between Hillsborough Bay Lighted Buoys 10 to 31
Longitude: (Start) 27 48 13.7314 N, Latitude -82 27 52.5882 W
Longitude: (Middle) 27 48 42.4213 N, Latitude -82 26 53.5882 W
Longitude: (Stop) 27 53 53.0000 N, Latitude -82 26 21.3353 W
Alafia River
Longitude: (Start) 27 50 42.4068 N, Latitude -82 26 41.2325 W
Longitude: (End) 27 51 20.1865 N, Latitude -82 23 23.215 W
The project will involve the Hydraulic Cutter Suction Dredge “JERI-B”, Tenders: Gator and Jay-Jay. A mechanical clamshell Dredge “DRAVO”, Tenders: Miss Shirley and Erin P. The Dredge “JERI-B” will operate 24/7, cell phone 904-412-8496. Floating rubber and submerged polyethylene pipeline associated with dredging operations will be utilized. Pipeline and vessels will be visibly lighted and marked according to Coast Guard regulations. Floating and submerged pipeline will be utilized from the dredge to the authorized dredged material discharge area. The pipeline path will be outside of and perpendicular to the navigation channel. Buoys with “Danger Submerged Pipeline” will mark the submerged line as required by Coast Guard regulations. Mariners are urged to use extreme caution in the area, transit at their slowest safe speed to minimize wake, and proceed with caution after passing arrangements have been made. VHF – FM Channels Monitored: channels 12, 13, 16 and working channel 1. Project POC Mr. Jared Rackley, Project Manager cell (904) 868-9498.

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Start of Dredging

Our thanks to Captain Jay Wheeler for the welcome, in-depth account of the Redfish Pass channel below. Captain Jay also sent us notes on the channel from Redfish Pass to South Seas Resort Marina, which we have posted separately (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=84905)

Cruising News:
I wanted to shorten my passage from Naples to Useppa and decided to use Captiva Pass. After speaking with Tween Waters and South Seas Resort Marina, they pointed out that Captiva Pass was the only unmarked Passage into Pine Island Sound. Neither of them was familiar with Captiva Pass but they were both familiar with Refish Pass and recommended it over Captiva Pass.
Unfortunately, my North Star and Garmen Chart Plotter as well as my old NOAA charts are not as up to date as the Chart that you have here on Cruisers Net has online. And, if I had inquired online before i made this voyage, i would have had a much better idea as to what i was facing.
Coming into Refish pass from the Gulf involves following the correct marker confirguration, which requires red right returning. Even as the bottom [soundings - editor] shown on ALL the charts has not changed in years, AND IS TOTALLY INACCURATE AT THIS TIME, this is after all an inlet and subject to radical changes. The marks to Redfish Pass are marked “private’ but now that South Seas Resort has adopted the traditional Port and Starboard marking configuration, you need to follow that routine when approaching Redfish pass from the Gulf.
On all the charts there is an outside green marker G 1, which is a good starting place for coming in through the Pass. After you pass G 1, line your self up between the Red N 4 and Green Can 5 and proceed with caution. The locals follow this route and the channel is deep enough to get you past Red Nun 4 and into some very deep water in the center of the Pass. From here you want to look for the first Green marker just off the the NE tip on Captiva and stay inside of it, running in along the shore of the island until you are able to pick up the South Seas Resort channel running from their Marina out to deeper water in a SE direction. Remember to leave the reds, going into Pine Island Sound, in this direction to Starboard, Red- Right- Returning from the Gulf. I did this at almost high tide drawingh 5.5 ft. and had not trouble, once I got the buoys straightened out..
Coming in through Refish Pass from the Gulf saved me a lot of time heading North to Useppa and Cabbage Key.
Jay Wheeler

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Redfish Pass