The following thread was copied from the MTOA List-Serv. By the way MTOA is an organziation that the Salty Southeast Crusiers’ Net highly recommends for trawler owners.
Anyway, this discussion has been so extensive, it was impossible to acquire individual permissions, so I have ommitted names.
The so-called “Inside Route” from Marco Island to Naples is an “unofficial” Waterway that begins at Coon Key Pass and Goodland, and runs north to the Gordon River and Naples. Most of this passage is deep enough for cruising craft, BUT the southerly extreme, near Goodland, can run as thin as 4 1/2 feet at MLW. At least that’s what I have observed over the years. Read on for more info!

Hi All,
I will be traveling from Punta Gorda to Marathon in June.
Has anyone travelled the inside route from Marco Island to Coon Point.
The trip looks interesting, but appears to be trickey. Rounding Cape Romano is more miles on the outside route. My boat draws 3’6″.

The last time I made a trip up that way was about 3 years ago, but had no problem taking the inside route. I draw 4’8″, so I need at least 5′ of water. I have seen 58′ Hatteras take that route also..When you go under the bridge @ Marco, make a tight right turn to stay in channel. Going around Cape Romano can get really rough..You will have no problem drawing 3’6″..

We have taken the inside from Gordon Pass at Naples to Coon Point in both of previous boats. 4′ draft and 5′ draft. I would recommend planning the trip to exit the Marco River at Coon Point at or near high tide.

We have done the inside passage several times with trawlers that draw 4 feet. You will have no trouble as long as you realize that channel turns sharply to Starboard immediately after you clear the bridge at the east end of Marco. The bouy over to your right looks like it is for a different channel, it’s not.
I don’t know what level of tide we were at (Gulf tides are confusing) at the Coon Key end on our last trip but we were watching the Depth Sounder very attentively while it read 4 t0 5 feet. It reads a 2′ less than actual.
Good luck and enjoy the trip. The inside passage from Naples to Marco is also nice and should be done at half tide or higher. We did hit bottom there a few years ago.

Speaking of the bridge where the sharp turns are required – I believe that’s where the “Red Right Returning” changes from returning from the Marco River to the Coon Key Inlet. Pay attention. It’s a fun passage but it’s really skinny outside the channel.

Inside at Naples, went south to Rookery Bay. The channel south from Naples is very shallow in spots, narrow, and lots of very inconsiderate, childish fishermen who think you’re the problem. Try to time tides in that area to hit it near high. Very nice spot to anchor; remote and wild. Watch charted shoal to north. Room for 5 – 6 cruising boats in 6 – 11 ft of water. If it matters to you, THERE IS NO PLACE THERE TO TAKE PETS ASHORE.
From Rookery Bay, went south, through Marco and Goodland. No water depth problems. Be careful headed south from Naples at Marco. The southbound channel turns west and goes almost all the way out to the gulf, then does a 170 degree turn back east to take you into the south side of Marco. Also, as already mentioned, be careful at the bridge south of Marco. Turn hard stbd immediately after passing the bridge southbound, to clear the red marker there. Then, the channel turns south, but is very poorly marked. There is a field of pilings there. Southbound, take them to stbd and you’ll be fine.

Subject: Naples to Marco to Goodland
Cruising News: We just made this run 3 weeks ago in a 44 Sea ray and while there were some “skinny spots” we always saw at least 5 feet at near high tide. The Marco Bridge, as noted, needs your attention. The bridge is the “divider” between the Marco inlet red, right returning and the Goodland inlet red right returning. On the Marco side of the bridge (north) red is to the starboard. Immediately under the bridge towards Goodland (south) red is now on your port. Very important! Headed south to Goodland from Marco you must immediatley turn hard to starboard as you go under the bridge and then put the red marker on your port side. Failure to do the “jog and marker-side switch” will put you aground.
Joe Curley

We have motored from North Naples Bay to Goodland on the inside route in our Catalina 30. Be careful and do it at high tide and you’ll be fine. It is a beautiful trip with an abundance of natural beauty.
Bill Foster