Red Square Denotes Approximate Positon of Blue Heron Restaurant Docks

The series of messages below concern a waterside restaurant, located just north of Marco Island, and northeast of Capri Pass. Take a gander at chart 11430, and notice the wide swath of water with the notation, “Isles of Capri,” east, northeast of marker #3 on the Cari Pass channel (or consult the chartlet above).
I’ve known for a couple of years that there were several waterfront restaurant with their own dockage located on this side – “Isles of Capri” channel, but I must admit to never having explored this passage during my many research trips to these waters. Fortunately, that oversight has now been corrected, courtesy of the two cruisers below.
Sounds like the “Blue Heron” is really worth checking out, and with Captains Peter and Peggy’s specific navigational info in the second note below, all those piloting vessels drawing 5 1/2 feet or less, can check it out!

We just recently had the opportunity to find a real jewel on the SW coast of Florida. Just north of Marco Island on the Isle of Capri, The Blue Heron restaurant has been around for over 35 years and just recently added 4 new docks which you can stay at free for the night when dining with them. There is electric available on the docks and they just ask that you leave a contribution to help offset the cost of the electricity. Alex Alexander is working to make sure that fine dining is available in this area. The meal we had was outstanding. Call ahead (239-394-6248) for availability and to make your dinner reservations with her. She will also help you with directions on how to navigate to the docks. Both she and her husband, John, are avid boaters and enjoy sharing experiences with their visitors.
Commander Jerry

After reading the mouth watering account above, I asked Commander Jerry for specific location data, and received the following reply:

Claiborne –
The Lat/Lon’s are as follows –
N 25 59 15
W 81 43 52
When we went through we had a minimum of 6.5-7 feet. They have the capability of handling a 70′ boat in the largest well and the other three go on down from there.
Jerry

The above exchange of notes took place on the T&T (Trawlers and Trawlering) mail list, and Captains Pete and Peggy chimed in and offered to check on the passage to the Blue Heron in great detail. Their report below lays bare all the details needed for cruisers to take advantage of this nautical gastronomical find!

Hi Claiborne…
The Lat Long of the Blue Heron is 25 59.145 and 081 43 528
Concur with Meal evaluation
At low tide(which was still 1.5 the depths ranged from 6.5 to 7.6 to 7.7 to 7.9 to the dock
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To get to the Blue Heron:
Enter Marco Pass; ICW to Naples passing between 1A and 2 to head toward the Isle of Capri North side
Pass by green 3
Pass by Red 2 on starbd side to enter secondary channel
Pass close to green 3 on port avoiding shoal area on the starbd side east of #3
Pass red 4 to starbd
Pass green 5 to port
Turn at red 6
Head for green 9 (5-6′ in channel)
Continue heading 090 beyond Pelican Bend Restaurant
Turn to 060 passing marina and old abandoned Backwater Nicks docks
Turn to 105 to Restaurant and Docks (Snow white roof on Building)
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Dock next to large occupied slip will accommodate a 40-45′ boat with depths of 5.5 to 6′
Then adjacent docks probably best for 30′-35′ boats.
Docks are wooden piling slips (not floating)
Pete and Peggy

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the “Isle of Capri” channel