Marco Island FL to Goodland and Gulf of Mexico Inside Passage

[TFM]

I'm planning a trip from North Fort Myers to the Keys shortly and would like to take the route from Marco's anchorage to the Gulf in my 33' Beneteau with a draft of 2'-11". My up-to-date charts and the Waterway Guide indicate it should not be a problem, but I'd appreciate input from anyone out there who has done it recently. Thanks in advance for your help.

[David Hughes]

It's well marked and should not be a problem. If you have Navionics or Garmin Blue Charts on your phone, or an updated chart plotter, it's very easy.

[Wmiii]

We are leaving today from Ft Myers Beach going down to Marco. Anchor and run the inside down through Goodland and on to Little Shark River.
The route is well marked, just MAKE SURE you turn to Starboard just past the bridge in Marco. The channel makes a hard turn to your right , then back to port.

[capngeo]

I made it without issue in 2015 with 4'9"draft

[Phisher]

I did it a few years ago with 6.5 draft.. No problem, just keep an eye out for the thousands of lobster traps! Little shark is a really cool area.

Brian

[CaptRory]

What is the controlling depth?

[Bay Breeze]

I think you should have no problem with draft - we have made this route on the way or back from Keys or Dry Tortugas for the past 5 years. We draw 30" - but check your sky draft - there's a bridge on the route that has shown 52-53 ft. on the benchmark gauge. Nice route. Also worthwhile is the side trip up on the inside of Keywadin Island from Marco to Naples. Don't think your draft should be aa problem on either - in the channel.

[stnick]

Ft myers beach to little shark river 40 some miles One days motor or sail Very safe anchorage all fresh water rushing out of the everglades. Great holding there too next day you should be in marathon .

[Wmiii]

Actually, It's around 40 miles out and in from Ft Myers Beach to Marco. Then 50 or so through Goodland to Little Shark or 55 around Cape Romano Shoals.

[stnick]

at Marco watch that channel the GPS will see a island at the entrance which has been back filled years ago and Condos built on them ! Its a very funny channel watch your depth its very snake like follow some one if you can . Rose Marina is the best there great people nice ships store. Want to go out to eat call a cab they are free to you the restaurants pay the cab . We got a Lincoln and the driver was in a suit ! We were in shorts and sandals ! from Marco we sailed to Little shark stay off shore 5 miles or so than we had a great 10 hour sail to marathon 18 knots of wind out of the direction I needed ! that never happens to me !

[dneve]

We sailed our Sigma 41 with 5ft draft from Ft Meyers Beach to Naples for a great meal and overnight at the Sailing Club dock. Next day to Little Shark River which is great this time of year. Well protected and great holding. Next day to Channel Five bridge to go under or north up ICW or south to Marathon. Traps are everywhere so best not to go at night. Just keep a good look out and follow the park boundary.

[Bay Breeze]

Originally Posted by dneve

We sailed our Sigma 41 with 5ft draft from Ft Meyers Beach to Naples for a great meal and overnight at the Sailing Club dock. Next day to Little Shark River which is great this time of year. Well protected and great holding. Next day to Channel Five bridge to go under or north up ICW or south to Marathon. Traps are everywhere so best not to go at night. Just keep a good look out and follow the park boundary.

When we get tired of dodging crawfish traps, we go just inside the boundary of Everglades National Park - good along the Ten Thousand Islands and part of Florida Bay - a bit out of the way.