Pine Island Marinas Florida

[gunkylump]

We would like to visit the Pine Island Florida area in January, relatives and friends all staying in the area.

We draft 6' and have a mast height of 65' plus instruments....are there any marinas close by that we can get into?

Thanks for any suggestion!

gunk

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by gunkylump

We would like to visit the Pine Island Florida area in January, relatives and friends all staying in the area.

We draft 6' and have a mast height of 65' plus instruments....are there any marinas close by that we can get into?

Thanks for any suggestion!

gunk

The 6 foot draft might restrict you somewhat but the mast height with only a few exceptions isn't a problem. Your best bet for checking out the area is to click over to ActiveCaptain.com, register (its free) and use the Interactive Cruising Guide which is filled with information on commercial marinas as well as anchorages et al contributed by other Cruisers as well as comments and reviews. You'll find it most helpful.

FWIW...

[olepedersen]

East coast pine island,or west coast Pine island ??

[gunkylump]

Either side, or either end of the island would be great. Relatives staying on the north tip, friends in Ft. Myers and Bonita Springs....

Kind of shallow around there, was looking for some first hand experiences, but will also check out Active Captain.

Still have a bit of time, January is a ways off yet

Thanks for the help, much appreciated!

gunk

[velero]

We have the same challenges both air and wate draft. Pine Island Marinas are very shallow. I anchor at Pelican Bay or the west side of Usepa. Cabbage Key rstaurant is a dinghy ride away. You can also anchor south of St James City.

[TacomaSailor]

My father and brother fish all over that area in a 24' cuddy cabin with a 2' 9" (33 INCH) draft. They have been doing so for the last 30 years.

They run aground pretty much every time they go out into the sound between Cape Coral and Pine Island. The sand moves around and depths change on a regular basis.

We spend a lot of time drinking beer while sitting on the outside deck at Bert's on the east side of Matlacha/Pine Island. We see lot's of boats come tippy toeing in. Some make it to the dock and some find the sand.

If you are moving slowly the sand is no big deal - just back off.

[DotDun]

AFAIK, there aren't any marinas on Pine Island that can handle your boat. You'll probably end up at Cape Coral or Ft. Myers Beach, which is a ways from the north end of Pine Island, but closer to your friends in Ft. Myers & Bonita Springs.

The most obvious choice in Cape Coral is Tarpon Point Marina. The Sanibel Causeway bridge is 70', so not a problem. Tarpon Point from the river is narrow, stay in the channel and you'll be fine depth wise.

Ft. Myers Beach north of the bridge is Moss Marine, I'm not sure Diversified Marine has transient slips. The bridge is 65', you can go under with no problem at a lower tide (+0.5 or less), I do it with a 65' + antenna, etc. all the time. Once under the bridge you have options of mooring balls or a couple of marinas, Mantanzas Inn, Salty Sams, or Snook Bight Marina.

The are good places to anchor towards the north end of Pine Island, Useppa, Pelican Bay, etc. The marina on Useppa is a private club, I don't think you can get a slip there. I'm not sure whether Cabbage Key Marina has overnight transient slips or not. Otherwise it's Gasparilla or Burnt Store Marina.

Good Luck!

[sailingfarmer]

I see big sailboats have made it in to the north side of Pine Island... but I am sure they are using high tides and have under 5 or under feet of draft.... It would be a great place for a little dredging... it would put Pine Island on the nautical map!