Calusa Island Marina is found on the shores of southern Marco Island, within the borders of the old fishing village of Goodland. There’s lots of good places to eat within walking distance, including my personal favorite, “Little Bar.” Entering this facility can be a little tricky for first-timers, and the shallowest portion of the unofficial Marco Island to Naples waterway lies nearby with MLW depths of as little as 4 1/2 feet.

Calusa Island Marina update as of Feb. 1st, 2011. From Claiborne Young’s outstanding 2008 Cruising Guide to West Florida (7th ed.), he implied that Calusa would be cruiser friendly in our hour of need. They are. VERY. Our story follows the important facts: Calusa has now made available a dinghy dock fee for we who prefer the hook at night. The fee includes shoreside access, showers and laundry. Transient “dockers” are still very welcome too. Andrew Barksdale whose card says “President” and “Managing Partner”, absolutely ROCKS. I now think of him as “can do – Andrew”. That spirit runs thru what we saw of the operation. “Just ask first and we’ll make it work,” is what he told me referring to out-of-the-box arrangements. The protected anchorage in Blue Hill Creek has good depths for a half mile beyond him, Andrew said. Calusa has Block Ice! Gas prices competitive with Marco. Their water tasted very good on the day we filled up (after ASKING FIRST). Groceries, Ace Hardware with LP refill station (see our story below) and West Marine are about 3 and a half miles. We have our own bike which makes that easy for us in flat S. FLorida. Andrew has plans to have loaner bicycles available to dinghy dock users in March and I strongly encouraged that ASAP. A loaner car is hopefully in the works for next season. Goodland’s restaurants are a big draw as is prominently mentioned in the Guide (as well as above). We too have been told that Marker 8 Restaurant is good. The lunch special at Little Bar is still good at ~$6.95 we hear.
Our story: 8 o’clock on a Sunday morning at Tiger Key about 12 miles South and East of Goodland/Calusa Island Marina. A defective back-up propane 20 lb bottle (seal completely missing!!! on Blue Rhino exchange LP bottle – we’ll check that in future before accepting an exchange) won’t connect at all, which means our fridge and its contents will soon be room temp… Claiborne’s superlative guide steers me toward Calusa as my first call (on the cell). Andrew answers. He tells me that I can get my empty tank REFILLED at the Ace in S. Marco on a Sunday. ” I just filled mine there, so I know they have it.” he tells me. “Can you be here before noon?” he asks. We do. And he drives me in his car to Ace for a very reasonable charge. And the refill was less $ than the (defective) exchange had been at Winn Dixie in N. Marco (see Side note at end). The fridge stays cold. The food is saved. And we find a truly welcoming facility for cruisers like us who genuinely prefer lying on an anchor at night to docking. Showers, laundry, block ice and a friendly welcome. Perfect.
John McLaughlin

We really enjoyed our stay. Even though we were towed in and had a gps track to follow, we ran aground, so be careful
Bill Dixon

We called Tow Boat US for EXCELLENT blow by blow tips for this “inside” route thru Marco Island. We draw 4′ & still had a few “white knuckle” moments passing thru at mid-tide. Well worth it tho.”
Linda Gimbel Hughes

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

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We have anchored any number of times in Bimini Basin, and you could hardly find a more sheltered spot to spend an evening. Also, as Captain Nicole describes below, the nearby dinghy docking at a public park is welcome indeed.
On the other hand, while we have never had trouble getting our anchor to hold here, local cruisers have warned that the basin’s holding ground is not up to really heavy weather. Apparently, at least of portion of the basin bottom is silty. At all other times though, give this spot a try!

Cruising News*: Just wanted to let everyone know that there is a great anchorage in Cape Coral that beats the moorings/anchorage in the city of Fort Myers hands down. Protected, nice dinghy dock at a park, grocery store, hardware store, west marine, and bus transfer station less than a mile’s walk away. GREAT spot to re-provision and all around great anchorage.
Nicole

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For the Bimini Basin Anchroage

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Wow, here’s some input that EVERY single cruiser who plans on visiting Naples in the foreseeable future needs to note! The “underwater rock” in question lies off the western flank of the marked Gordon River/Naples Waterfront channel, north of the Naples City Pier and near marker #38.

A dockmate just returned with a bent prop from Naples in his Tiara drawing 4 feet. Heading south on the Gordon River in vicinity of Red 38. Tide below MLW. He was hugging Green side of channel when “wham” he hit the rock. His advise stay in center or favor red side of channel. Location of rock reported as N26 08.063 W81 47.442, just above Naples City Dock.
Kevin Hopper

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position West of the Gordon River/Naples Waterfront Channel

Below is copied an interesting discussion from the T&T (Trawlers and Trawlering) list about good places to store one’s boat in the Fort Myers region of the Western Florida coastline.

I need to store my 35 ft trawler somewhere near the Ft. Myers area, while I fly up north for knee surgery. Probably 4 to 6 months.
Anyone have suggestions for a reasonable, no frills, dry storage yard in the area.
Glades

All American Boat Storage and Charlotte Harbor Boat Storage are next door to one another up a freshwater canal off Charlotte Harbor north of Ft. Myers. Both are first class and reasonable.
RC
Punta Gorda

I concur with Charlotte Harbor Storage. Last time I was there it was a well run, clean operation. They do allow owners to work on their own boats if necessary.
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Indian+Rocks+Beach,+Florida+33785&l l=26.87688,-82.234919&spn=0.004172,0.006877&t=h&z=17
or Tiny URL
http://tinyurl.com/5wewmal
Joel Wilkins
m/s Miss Magoo

Glades Boat Storage, Moore Haven, FL
863-983-3040
Patrick and Margie

You might want to call Owl Creek Boatworks in Alva, FL. It is just north of FT. Myers on the Caloosahatcee. He has covered fresh water storage and said no damage during Charlie.
RB

This is the second report, albeit a second hand one, about cruisers possibly being hassled when trying to anchor on the basin in Boca Grande Bayou, just behind the Pink Elephant restaurant. Follow the link below to check out an earlier article.
In mid-January, I had the good fortune to address the Boca Grande Yacht Club at Gasparilla Inn. A good time was had by all, particularly yours truly. I raised the topic of anchorage restrictions in Boca Grand Bayou, and no-one there seemed to know anything about it. One must wonder who is really causing trouble for boaters in Boca Grande??????

Boaters have reported being hassled when anchoring in Boca Grande Bayou. Anyone know which authority has jurisdiction in these waters?
Jo Mogle

Click Here To View An Earlier SSECN Posting About Cruisers’ Anchoring on Boca Grande Bayou

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For the Boca Grande – Gasparilla Island Basin Anchorage

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I remember the no-wake zone described below by Captain. I could find no satisfactory explanation for its presence either.

There is a no wake zone about one mile south of the Cape Coral Bridge. It is in the middle of the river and I can see on reason for it. As you say, it is heavily patrolled.
Do you know why and who determines the no wake zones?
Thanks
William Wallis

I am not entirely sure but I believe that is part of the “miserable mile” and I think that it is a manatee area. I am not sure why else it would be no wake, though being sailors who get waked frequently we kind of like it
BE CAREFUL there if you have a faster boat, on a busy day we have seen as many as 5 FWC, police, and/or other enforcement boats in this area.
Nicole

Sounds like the zone from marker 72 to 76, which is not in the miserable mile. It’s at the entrance to Gulf Harbour Marina. It is a manatee zone by name, but why it’s really there I have no idea. It is patrolled much of the time.
David Bernstein

Glad to see the most positive review below of SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Fort Myers Beach!

My wife and I visited FMB last march 3/10. We had cruised there 22 years ago and we GLAD to see town moorings, and less derelicts , although it seems they still had a couple of leftovers? We enjoyed the town and the beach and many of the local restaurants and stores. The Harbormaster “bubba” runs the pump out boat and was a great help and a great source for information. However the LARGE HARD encrusted mooring balls did a number on my new alwgrip hull paint job!$#!$#!!?. If you are not able to pull the entire ball out of the water, BEWARE.!!
Stephen Arkwright

We had no problems with the mooring rubbing on our boat fortunately. The showers are pretty low rent – like an old motel room. You step into a bathtub to shower. The shrimp are great across the way at Tico. Fresh & very reasonably priced. Bonita Bill’s is the only saving grace in this very honky tonk beach town. It’s a veru dog-friendly bar/restaurant. But watch out for the resident cat, Splash. He roams at will. Fort Myers Beach is a fine stop over if you’re going north on the west coast of Florida or heading south to the keys. Small grocery store about a 2 mole walk on the beach.
Linda Hughes

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For The Fort Myers Beach Mooring Field

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The mooring field in Naples is fairly new and lies just off the Naples City Pier in Naples Bay.

Had a great time in Naples! They have a limit to 4 nights for the mooring balls (something to do with the EPA owning the bay bottom, kind of a strange story if you ask me) but we got to spend 8 nights total on the Naples mooring balls. (Left for one night in between and got another 4 nights.)
**CAUTION** The mooring balls DO NOT have a regular pennant on them. (It’s a rope loop that is about 5 inches long attached to the ball). You will not be able to pick it up with a boat hook and the dockmaster’s office for some reason does not inform you of this. When we are aboard when other boats have come in we have used our dinghy to help them.
When we went back the second time one of us got in the dinghy when we were close and slowed way down so that we could “walk” with the dinghy forward, grab the line we had attached to the cleat, string it through the mooring pennant and then back aboard. Fairly simple if you know about it ahead of time.
Naples is a great town to visit. There are a number of great restaurants within walking distance of the docks. (Bleu Provence is a stone’s throw away and has a great early dining special, $24.95 between 5-6pm for an appetizer, entree, and glass of wine. The food is first class, you won’t be disappointed.) Definitely can recommend Naples as a cruising destination, Enjoy!
Nicole

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For The Naples City Pier

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Every cruiser is certainly entitled to their opinion, here on the Cruisers’ Net and elsewhere. However, for my money the facility in question here is a dump. We welcome others point of view. Please click the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below if you would like to share your impressions of this marina.

This is one of the last truly Florida cruisers marinas. True, not a show place, but it doesn’t try to rob you blind or pretend to be what it isn’t. It is one of the few places that you can truly work on your boat and the owner and other boaters will truly help you. This is commercial fisherman and shrimper marina. So if you don’t like some commercial activity or cats, you might want to pass on this marina.
It is truly improving and recovering from the hurricane. Almost all of the boats dumped there be locals and the county have been removed totally at the expense of the owner. The only place I know left to do a major refit on a boat if you have questions, I have been customer several times.
Robert Burney

Riviera Marina is 5 minutes from our house, but we prefer another place to work on our boat, even though it takes us most of the day to get there. I would call Riviera Marina a dump IMHO.
Mary Dixon

To elaborate on my perception/experience with Riviera Marina, a few months ago we wanted to have our mast pulled to do some work on it. We thought it would be nice to have it done somewhere close to home. Riviera Marina is a 5-minute drive by car and about an hour trip by boat. We went to the marina and watched a boat mast being pulled. It was a real fiasco. After I scraped the cat poop off my shoes we left and said “no way, we’ll go somewhere else like we’ve done in the past.”
Mary Dixon

1 fact about marinas that will never change is the presence of rats or cats. If you don’t like cats you will be told you are not welcome-they live there, you don’t. I personally would prefer a cat next to me when cramped in a small engine room that suddenly becoming aware of a rat crawling over. I have yet to see a rat that wasn’t fleeing the riviera marina-notice Mary left quickly and good riddance. The owner works with a local vet to keep all cats vaccinated and license-out of his own pocket-customers frequently donate food and with an automatic waterer they are taken care of better than most solitary housecats-he names them all and knows ALL of them By name. Riviera Marina is a family. “I like cats and I don’t like people who don’t”
R.E. Ffolkes(Roger Moore)

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

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We agree wholeheartedly with Captain Nicole. The New Turkey Key Anchorage is for shallow draft vessels only, and protection is not the best. On the other hand, this is pretty much the only possible overnight haven between Little Shark River and the Ten Thousand Islands.

Good Anchorage but mind how far you swing if you don’t go all the way in. We anchored here on a calm night a swung a little to close to shore and found ourselves aground at low tide (we draw 3′9″). It wasn’t a big deal, we took the dogs for a run in the mud flats on the other side of New Turkey and floated right off an hour later but anyone with a draft of more than 4 might want to skip this anchorage.
Nicole

New Turkey is one of my favorite spots on the “outside passage” through Everglades National Park – but then again I draw a whopping 20 inches with engines up. It is worth noting that dogs are not allowed on shore anywhere in the ENP
Jonathan Gorham

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For The New Turkey Key Anchorage

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Calusa Island Marina sits at the southern tip of Marco Island, in the old village of Goodland. This facility’s entrance channel departs the Coon Key to Naples unofficial waterway near marker #6. Watch out from some depths as thin as 4 1/2 feet at MLW in the “waterway” channel along this stretch.
And, while I certainly second Captain Moran’s mention of Stan’s Idle Hour bar/restaurant below, where a good time is always had by one and all, also don’t dare miss Little Bar and Restaurant, less than a block away. The seafood here is awesome!

We ended up staying at Calusa Island Yacht Club (just a marina) at Goodland, just south of Marco Is. for a month last year. Laid back and beautiful setting and Stan’s Idle Hour Bar (http://www.stansidlehour.net/) is just up the street!! Anchorages are also available around the Goodland area if you decide to stay for a shorter time.
Wish you warm breeze and calm seas.
Joe Moran

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

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If you visit the still backwater (but very charming) community of Everglades City by water, THE place to coil your lines is the old Rod and Gun Club. They have good services and a restaurant on-site, though there are other places to eat in town that I prefer.
I hope one day the entire Rod and Gun Club can be restored to its former glory, including all the guest rooms, but, for now, it’s still very much a fascinating picture of “old Florida.”
To reach Everglades City, you must traverse the marked channel from Indian Key to the Barron River. While I have never found shallow depths along this passage, others have reported that soundings are marginal at MLW. If any of you have cruised this channel recently, please share the depths you encountered by clicking the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below

A trip up the west coast can be enjoyable. Remote anchorages and beautiful beaches.
Check with the Rod and Gun Club in Everglade City (http://www.evergladesrodandgun.com/) about the Seafood festival. I believe it is usually held in early Feb and it is great fun. Also a good place to hop on an Airboat ride thru the Everglades.
Joe Moran

just spent two days at the Rod & Gun Club with a small group of boats from Pine Island. I would most definitely return here – docks were OK, view was great, the Club a place you have to experience at least once. Food was absolutely great! Showers were clean and had plenty of hot water. There are several other spots for breakfast or dinner within an easy walk. We carried 4′6″ all the way up to the Club with NO problems, even at a very low tide.
Captain Mike Smith

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

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The marked channel to Smokehouse Bay anchorage cuts off the Capri Pass channel near the northern tip of Marco Island. While we have always found MLW depths here to be as thin as 4 1/2 feet, this passage does indeed lead to a super anchorage, offering great protection from foul weather, on Smokehouse Bay.
Captain Nicole mentions nearby “Esplanade Marina” in her comments below. We are NOT yet familiar with this facility, and would like to learn more. Those who have previously visited this facility, please click the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, and share your information.

GREAT GREAT ANCHORAGE.
Chris, the dockmaster at Esplanade, is fantastic. Give him the courtesy of checking in with him (we walked over from the dinghy dock at Winn Dixie) and he will treat you like gold. Fantastic guy.
It was mentioned to us that other cruising boats have “snuck” onto the dock early in the morning to take on water and leave their trash. The marina considers this trespassing, just a word to the wise. (besides if you ask the dockmaster he will probably let you do both of these things, just ask!)
One warning: We were warned by a helpful person on the dock that if you anchor here for more than 4 consecutive nights the shoreside neighbors will call the Coast Guard and tell them you have been there for a long time and must be pumping out in the water. Apparently the CG will then send one of their small boats to visit you and I assume, do a safety and head check. Not a big deal (kind of a waste of the CGs time I think) but good to know in the event in happens to you.
Esplanade will pump you out for free if you give them a call on VHF 16.
Nicole

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

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Laishley Park Marina is the city of Punta Gorda municipal facility for pleasurecraft. It is located between the twin US. 40 fixed bridges, and these span’s 45-foot height limits access for sailcraft. If you pilot a powerboat, however, this is one of the best Western Florida facilities with which you might choose to visit.

We stayed at Laishley Park Municipal Marina in Punta Gorda and were very impressed with the facility and the dockmaster Rusty, and asst John, were very happy to help you in anyway they can. The facility is new, with floating docks, free pumpout and only $8/ft per week + a small charge for electricity. It is located right in front of the Crab House restaurant which has great food. For example, we loved the Ahi Tuna Salad!! The downtown area is in walking distance, only 2 blocks away, it was perfect to celebrate New Years with friends. There are free bicycles to use. There is a great 2 mile harborfront walk for you to stretch those legs! We highly recommend this marina!
Todd & Paula Sue Russell
“Ocean Breeze”

My blog includes more options at Punta Gorda, especially for sailboats that can’t get under the fixed bridge to Laishley Marina.
Mary Dixon

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

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Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club is a member of the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs, for my money a collection of the most successful and prestigious yacht clubs on the Eastern or Gulf seaboards. Having had the good fortune to visit with Treasure Island myself on multiple occasion, I join my voice with the author of the note below in voicing the first class status of this facility.

If anyone is in the area of Treasure Island, FL, you just can’t beat “The Club at Treasure Island” just off from Treasure Island Causeway on the GIWW at Mile 119. Talk with Les, the Dock Master, and go to this website and he will take good care of you.

http://theclubti.com/

The price is right. (really, really, right.) There is a junior Olympic size swimming pool, a Tiki Bar by the pool, tennis courts, a big work out room with everything you can think of, and a good restaurant. You are within a mile of Publix and the gulf. On Gulf Blvd you can pick up the “Suncoast Beach Trolley” that will take you anywhere from Clearwater to St. Pete Beach to Pass-a-Grille. Any place else you want to go, Les or Bob will drive you or “Lady Etta”, the Harbor Host, will also help you out. They are wonderful people here and they make you feel right at home.

Just to let you know, Treasure Island Tennis & Yacht Club is no longer a member of the FCYC.
Lynne and Rich

Treasure Island Yacht and Tennis Club hasn’t been a FCYC member for sometime. Their association with the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs, as a member club, ended when the Treasure Island Yacht Club was sold to the current owner.
Kathy

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club

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Twin Dolphin Marina is an excellent facility, particularly since breakwater protection was added to this facility’s twin harbors some years ago. I have not personally had the good fortune to sample the bill of fare at Mattison’s Riverside, but after reading Captain Laura’s description below, we are going to correct that oversight SOON!
And, oh yes, let’s not forget that Twin Dolphin Marina is a much prized SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

We love Mattison’s Riverside! They have the best Happy Hour in town. $5.00 appetizers (mini pizza, Thai Chicken, Calamari, and lets nots forget the cheap beers! Plus you can’t beat the sunset view. The outside bar is great, and the fire pit looks really fun too, they have lots of heaters too for those cold winter nights. We love this place!!
Laura

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

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The Western Florida ICW channel through Lemon Bay has always been notorious for shoaling along its edges. However, the shoaling discovered the hard way, described below, by Captain RB, calls for extra attention by ALL captains cruising this section of the Western florida ICW.
We are establishing an SSECN Navigation Alert for this section of the Western Florida Waterway. Please follow the link below to open a Chart View page zoomed to this Alert!

We ran on the inside to Cape Haze Marina and for the first time in over 30 years of boating I had to get commercial help (Tow Boat US) to get pulled off a sand bar. The spot is between 11 and 13 in Lemon Bay very near Stump Pass. A shoal is encroaching in the channel on the red [East] side. So definitely slow down and favor the green [western] side. I draw 5 feet and ran aground about 2 hours before high tide but there had been that Northern wind that was blowing that day and the 2 days prior. The tow boat driver (very nice) said that the day before he towed a 55, 46, & 39 footer from that same spot. So I don’t think I made a major error. Fortunately I knew I was in trouble and had slowed down and was out of gear so no apparent damage. The tow was $972 (13/ft plus 160/hr). Did not wish to spend the money but I am glad they were there as I was not getting of by myself and it took him a solid hour of pulling to get us to about 150 feet to the channel. Any way let your readers know so they can be prepared for this problem area.
RB

Came through this section on 1/31/11 at 13:30 with 0.8 ft tide. Stayed center channel and saw no less than 9 ft.
John Vierra

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position on the Lemon Bay section of the Western Florida ICW

Crows Nest Marina lies just off the Western Florida ICW, on the eastern reaches of the Venice Pass channel. This facility is also home to one of the best restaurants in all of Florida.

We stayed at Crow’s Nest and as your Cruising Guide said it proved to be rolly in the strong wind we had for 2 days. We “fendered up” and it was OK.
RB

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

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The Naples City Pier is now one of only two facilities near downtown Naples that offer anything in the way of transient dockage. There’s lots of places to shop and eat within easy walking distance of the city pier.

Went to Naples and spent 2 nights there at the Naples City Dock. Nothing to complain about. The staff was very nice and the price with Boat/US was 1.50/ft. The Gordon river did not present any challenges as depths were atleast 7′ the whole way.
RB

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For The Naples City Pier

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A quick but happy word about this repair facility on the Caloosahatchee River, just east of Fort Myers.

Had a fair amount of work done at Owl Creek Boatworks near Ft. Myers and was pleased with the workmanship and how they did business.
RB