On 11/6/08, as part of a "Western Florida Wish List," I posed the following question:

24. Boca Grande Pass inlet (with its picturesque lighthouse) divides Cayo Costa and Gasparilla Island. This is an important inlet. Who can give us a current status report on this seaward passage, AND its so-called “Swash Channel,” west of the lighthouse.

Responses follow:

Entering or leaving Boca Grande Channel on the South side is deep if you keep off Johnson Shoals.  The north side of the channel is shallow and you shouldn’t try to cut it short.  That’s where Swash Channel comes in.  Departing through Swash Channel takes you through the obvious deep water that follows the tip of the island.  Pass close to the old dock, again in the obvious deep water.  Continue north from here about the same distance (about 300 yards) off shore for the next half mile before you start to gradually move off shore.
Jake Dye