Just Moved to Fort Myers from the Mid Atlantic, Where's the ramps?

[1BadTundra]

I'm looking for advice on public launches as well as marinas you all may be keeping your boats. I'm in Buckingham (Fort Myers), we are finally settled in our new home, now I'm ready to get the boat wet. We want the easiest access to the Gulf. Not really interested in the Caloosahatchee. Any recommendations? Where are the ramps, how much to launch, do you need a county permit, etc... or what's a good marina, and does anyone have cost on those? We dry slipped in Maryland, but that was from April- September, it's too cold the rest of the year. We cant wait to get boating down here. Any advice is helpful. We have been boating for about 15 years now, we've owned our 2016 212x since 2018.

 

[14SX190]

Hi,
You have a few choices if you don't want to trailer further down river. No wake zones are killer. I always used Punta Rassa ramp and would cross over to Sanibel and go North to Cayo Costa.
I should have some videos posted of my Sanibel trips

You can anchor right up to shore

 

[VitaminSea]

FWC Has a list of ramps with the details that have been shared with them.

BoatRampFinderPublic_test3a

gis.myfwc.com

I would cross reference this with Google maps/street view to confirm, as in some instances the data is stale.

Also suggest getting on a waiting list for a Marina/High and Dry if that is what you are accustomed to as in some areas they have high demand.

 

[1BadTundra]

I found a slip in a high/dry… it was $5200. Before I fork that out, I wanted to see the ramp options. We only did the marina thing for the last 2 years. It does spoil u though!!!

 

[1BadTundra]

Hi,
You have a few choices if you don't want to trailer further down river. No wake zones are killer. I always used Punta Rassa ramp and would cross over to Sanibel and go North to Cayo Costa.
I should have some videos posted of my Sanibel trips

You can anchor right up to shore



View attachment 238333

How much was it to launch at Punta Rassa?

 

[14SX190]

Its was a while ago but it says its $10.
The ramp is closed right now. You can buy a permit it looks like for $60 a year. Thats a great deal

Annual Parking Pass

Visit Leegov.com to find useful information for residents, businesses and visitors of Lee County in Southwest Florida

www.leegov.com

 

[VitaminSea]

I found a slip in a high/dry… it was $5200. Before I fork that out, I wanted to see the ramp options. We only did the marina thing for the last 2 years. It does spoil u though!!!

Ouch! Rates are getting steeper and steeper! We were just shy of $350/month for our SX210. The 252SD we picked up is ~6inches too tall for our rack, so we’re on the waiting list for a top bunk. Every other marina in the area (Ponce Inlet, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna area), has a lengthy waiting list, and from what I can tell also charges higher rates.

Hope you find a compromise that works for you and that you can enjoy some Florida boating!

 

[1BadTundra]

Its was a while ago but it says its $10.
The ramp is closed right now. You can buy a permit it looks like for $60 a year. Thats a great deal

Annual Parking Pass

Visit Leegov.com to find useful information for residents, businesses and visitors of Lee County in Southwest Florida

www.leegov.com

It looks like that marina is slated to reopen on the 21st of this month. I'll take a ride down and see if we can walk around.

 

[1BadTundra]

Ouch! Rates are getting steeper and steeper! We were just shy of $350/month for our SX210. The 252SD we picked up is ~6inches too tall for our rack, so we’re on the waiting list for a top bunk. Every other marina in the area (Ponce Inlet, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna area), has a lengthy waiting list, and from what I can tell also charges higher rates.

Hope you find a compromise that works for you and that you can enjoy some Florida boating!

Thanks, we're super excited for FL boating... These rates are really a shit to the gut.

 

[14SX190]

Punta rassa is a awesome ramp .
It's just across sanibel and very convient

If you ever go south Lovers key is nice.
Go past to Naples and you have Hurricane pass.
It would be a nice day trip.

I have video crossing Lovers key to Sanibel in a Strom. It was a crazy cross.

 

[1BadTundra]

Punta rassa is a awesome ramp .
It's just across sanibel and very convient

If you ever go south Lovers key is nice.
Go past to Naples and you have Hurricane pass.
It would be a nice day trip.

I have video crossing Lovers key to Sanibel in a Strom. It was a crazy cross.

Is it usually over crowded? How's parking over there at Punta Razza

 

[14SX190]

It's a big lot and never had problem.
I would trailer from Miami for day trip
Early bird get the worm but I cant tell you it won't be packed on holidays

 

[1BadTundra]

That's awesome... I'll try to get that 1 year permit until I can decide if I want to do the marina. Where do you pick up an annual permit for this? Is it Lee County, or from the marina itself?

 

[Joatmon]

As 1BadTundra said Punta Rassa boat ramp is closed. It has been closed since hurricane Ian came through in September 2022. They used the ramp area to stage construction equipment to repair the Sanibel causeway. I do not understand why it has not reopened after almost three years. Great ramp with cleaning station and restrooms. I have not read any news on when it will reopen. The annual pass from Lee County Parks is now electronic and assigned to your vehicle so no more sticker needed when using ramps and certain beach assess locations.

I use Imperial River ramp since it is close to where I store my boat at a secure covered parking facility. $447/month for 35' spot with no power. They have raised the rate every year for the past five years. Everyone have increased boat parking rates.

Imperial River ramp is a Lee County ramp. The bad part is you have to no wake idle down the river for five miles before you have access to the Gulf of America! Lover's Key is nice and much closer to the Gulf but I would have to drive much further. It is not a Lee County ramp but so your county Park registration is not accepted. They have a pay to use honor system. I used to use Davis when I stored my boat in North Fort Myers. It is a single lane ramp at the end of a narrow canal that goes into the Caloosahatchee River.

Ramps are not busy during weekdays during off season but weekends during season be sure you pack plenty of patience. Have your boat ready to launch before you back onto the ramp, Use one ramp lane and not the middle of two lanes and finally pull way away from the ramp when pulling out of the water for strap down. Don't park on the ramp after the boat is out of the water blocking others from using the ramp. Sorry, my pet peeves.