Cabbage Key Inn and Marina (Statute Mile 21.5)
On 11/6/08, as part of a “Western Florida Wish List,” I posed the following question:
22. Cabbage Key Inn and Marina’s entrance channel cuts west from the Waterway, near Statute Mile 21.5. I have heard that the reception for cruisers is friendlier here now than in times page. Can someone who has recently docked and/or ate at Cabbage Key Inn please comment on this facility?
Responses follow:
We found the dockmaster at Cabbage Key very helpful and friendly. He really helped with our lines both upon arrival and departure. He also helped a nearby boat with engine trouble. Lunch was good, not fancy, but good and the service was good.
Doug Kendrick
Cabbage Key is still a great place to stop for lunch or dinner. Our grandson call it `The Cheeseburger in Paradise Place.’ The new Dockmaster is a big improvement and is actually nice. It’s easy to anchor just off Useppa and dinghy into lunch.
Jake Dye
Dear Cruising Writer,
I wanted to pass on some information about a recent stay at Cabbage Key. I have stayed there a handful of times over the past few years and have had a delightful experience with each visit. During the day, Cabbage Key can be a busy, bustling place and cruisers, and visitors alike, should be patient on their approach as the Dockmaster jockeys the many vessels to their docks. This man single handedly docks legions of boaters daily many of who don’t speak English or have the first clue about operating their rental boats. With this understanding and patience, you’ll find him to be quite likable and extremely helpful.
Once you’re docked, stroll up the hill to the restaurant and have lunch. I recommend the cheeseburger, potato salad and a Cabbage Creeper ‘“ a tasty drink that will soak the stress from your pores. While on the island, be sure to explore the nature trail with its well marked flora and fauna as well as climb the water tower for its amazing views over the ICW. From Cabbage Key you can cross the ICW to Useppa Island or scoot around the corner to Cayo Costa for one of the most amazing beaches in Southwest Florida.
One of the best kept secrets about Cabbage Key is the dinners. The restaurant transforms at night as the staff puts on a bit more formal attire, the white linens come out and the food is absolutely fantastic.Â
As far as amenities, dockside electric is conveniently located near each slip, but there is no dock water available as it’s a limited resource on the island. On our last trip our water pump failed so we needed to use the bathroom and shower facilities at the foot of the dock. The bathrooms were always clean, modern and spacious ‘“ frankly I remember thinking I might use them on our next visit as opposed to the confining, and shared, bathroom onboard.Â
Overall Cabbage Key is a great destination whether you’re staying overnight or just for a meal. Its quaint charm harkens back to times past, a friendly old Florida that’s sometimes hard to find on the mainland. I’ll be back.
Sincerely,
Matt
Fort Myers
Excellent reception and food, also the dock master was very friendly. The owner however was as nasty and grumpy as ever!
Richard
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