Naples Florida Area Day trip

[Locke]

I'll be in Naples Florida visiting some friends mid November and they asked if I could rent a boat for the day and cruise them around. They live there 3 months out of the year but have never boated, don't know where to get a rental or where to go. Help! I looked on a map and it appears that anywhere from Ft Meyers to Marcos would be a good place to look but I've never been there and know nothing about the area.

Any Ideas?

Locke

 

[Mooney driver]

Re: Naples Florida Area Day trip

Hello Locke. I'm a little north of Naples by Matlache, but I can give you a couple of tips. There are rental places all over the area. You should have no trouble renting anything you want from a little Boston Whaler up to serious motor yachts. The main thing to remember about the Florida Gulf coast is that there is a lot of shallow water. Stay in the channels if you are not sure and watch other boats. If you have a small group I like Hurricane boats. For places to go, there is a popular island called Keywadin that has a nice beach. I know that is not how you spell it, but ask the rental place, they will show you where it is on a chart. If you have a portable GPS, bring it. There is a great bar on Goodland that is close to there. Lots of little islands south of Naples. Rent a boat with a radio, and bring cell phones. It's no fun breaking down and drifting out to the Gulf. Pack a cooler and bring sunscreen and camera and you'll have a ball.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Naples Florida Area Day trip

Good advice from MOONIE. Not familiar with that area but am sure there are area where you can/ will run aground, count on it. Getting to the season where high tides are very low. One other thing to point out. Have seen a lot of people rent a boat and attempt to beach it on the gulf shore. Looks like fun and it is but you run the risk of having the boat beached with an outgoing tide. Anchor off shore about 20 ft. or more and wade onto the beach, water will still be warm enough.
One other thing. Be aware that it is illegal to fool with the MANITIES. Do not give them fresh water, soft drinks, or god forbid, cheap beer!!! Also they are very slippery to hold on to. They do not have teeth and only eat sea grass. You can tell they are around by patches of oily looking water. They are as docile as the family cat. You should enjoy yourself. FRED

 

[gcboat]

Re: Naples Florida Area Day trip

During November we usually have a weather pattern that brings in some N.E. breezes. Blows up the Gulf to three of four feet easy. With that being said renting a boat in the Naples area will give you a very limited safe cruising area. Naples Bay will be your only decent body of water but it takes a whole two hours to see it all. Possibly head a little north to Bonita Beach of maybe Ft. Myer's beach for your rental. Plenty of inside traveling available. The water is calm, some very open spaces to explore and lots of places to stop and eat, drink, etc. You have ready access to the Gulf via four inlets if the water is nice enough to sneak outside. Be advised that a lot of rental agency's don't allow their rental boats to travel into the Gulf. I would ask beforehand.
Anyhow if you want me to look around for a rental boat for you just send me a PM and let me know what you want, how many folks,etc. Be glad to do it.
I'm off work for the next couple of weeks anyhow so it would give me something to do. Getting tired of cutting the lawn twice a day !!!!!!!!
Jerry

 

[Locke]

Re: Naples Florida Area Day trip

Thanks for the advice guys! The folks I'm boating with have zero experience so I'll probably just stay out of the Gulf, they'll have fun just getting on the water. The advice about a larger boating area is what I was looking for, on Google Maps the area around Marcos Island looked good, I'll chack out the area north of Naples too. GC I'll take you up on your offer.

Thanks again.