Ft Myers Guide service

[Trm1765]

Hello all. I am a fairly experienced boater from Minnesota but ready to start spending some time during the colder months in Ft Myers. Does anyone have any suggestions or referrals who I could hire in the Ft Myers area for some on the water training of the area? Perhaps, a crash course of were not to go, what to stay away from. I am not looking for boat training, just some insight of the local waters and the differences of a different kind of boating than I do on the Mississippi river in Minnesota.
I won't get the pleasure of using my jetboat, I will be renting a boat for now until I figure out what I am doing.

 

[14SX190]

Hello all. I am a fairly experienced boater from Minnesota but ready to start spending some time during the colder months in Ft Myers. Does anyone have any suggestions or referrals who I could hire in the Ft Myers area for some on the water training of the area? Perhaps, a crash course of were not to go, what to stay away from. I am not looking for boat training, just some insight of the local waters and the differences of a different kind of boating than I do on the Mississippi river in Minnesota.
I won't get the pleasure of using my jetboat, I will be renting a boat for now until I figure out what I am doing.

Hi and welcome.

I am no expert but have boated around Sanibel to the North to Cayo Costa and to the South To Lovers Key all ocean side and it's great boating year round. The IC is marked and other than sucking up sea weed your fine but I stay away from those No wake Zones. Gas is available easily.
If you get homesick you can try the Caloosahatchee river at the mouth of the bay but I have never gone up it.

The West coast only place where they allow boat to beach along shoreline compared to East Coast.

If you go further South from Ft Myers you have Naples to Marco Island which is also a nice ride.

 

[CraigAR]

Great advice above, I'm from Cape Coral (past 10 years) and you will have to watch low tide often. It does get very shallow in the river, Matlacha pass, Pine Island Sound, the Gulf Pass's and even out in The Gulf. The ICW is easy to navigate just remember red, right return to the Gulf to keep the red channel marker to your right and do not just follow anyone with an expensive boat thinking they know the way because most of the time they don't.

 

[Trm1765]

Hi and welcome.

I am no expert but have boated around Sanibel to the North to Cayo Costa and to the South To Lovers Key all ocean side and it's great boating year round. The IC is marked and other than sucking up sea weed your fine but I stay away from those No wake Zones. Gas is available easily.
If you get homesick you can try the Caloosahatchee river at the mouth of the bay but I have never gone up it.

The West coast only place where they allow boat to beach along shoreline compared to East Coast.

If you go further South from Ft Myers you have Naples to Marco Island which is also a nice ride.

Thanks for the info. I am looking forward to some new exploration.

 

[Trm1765]

Great advice above, I'm from Cape Coral (past 10 years) and you will have to watch low tide often. It does get very shallow in the river, Matlacha pass, Pine Island Sound, the Gulf Pass's and even out in The Gulf. The ICW is easy to navigate just remember red, right return to the Gulf to keep the red channel marker to your right and do not just follow anyone with an expensive boat thinking they know the way because most of the time they don't.

Thanks Craig.. I love the expensive boat comment... Don't follow the rental either..I will be exploring.. lol...

 

[Brandon_SC]

@Trm1765 I have personally used Captain Mike at Beeline. He specializes in exactly what you are asking about. I think you will really enjoy his services. Fishing Charters Fort Myers Beach | BeeLine Fishing Charters

 

[Trm1765]

@Trm1765 I have personally used Captain Mike at Beeline. He specializes in exactly what you are asking about. I think you will really enjoy his services. Fishing Charters Fort Myers Beach | BeeLine Fishing Charters

Thanks Brandon.