July 2020 | WOW! Marco Island Jet Ski Tours & Rentals

Marco Island is one of Florida’s greatest gems for so many reasons.

Boasting clear Gulf of Mexico water, resort hotels, paradise-like golf courses, breathtaking white sandy beaches, marinas and an unlimited amount of entertaining activities for families and couples alike, Marco Island consistently makes the top of the charts for vacation destinations.

But by and large, people flood the island for one main reason: boating and fishing.

If you’re looking to enjoy the clear blue water and fish supply Marco Island has to offer, you’ll need to know where to dock your boat for launch. Keep reading for four ramps available in Marco Island and other need-to-knows for boat usage on the island!

Boat Ramps in Marco Island, Florida

You’re not from here, so it’s hard to know where to find a boat ramp for launching. You need a boat ramp that is easily accessible. Here’s the good news: Marco Island has plenty of them!

Caxambas Park

Caxambas Park Website

Address & Directions: 909 Collier Court, Marco Island, FL 34145

Hours of Operation: 7:00 AM to dusk, Monday-Sunday, Year-Round

Phone Number: (239) 642-0004

This public access area boasts a 2-line boat ramp, concessions with food, drinks, bait, tackle, fuel, and more, public restrooms, a picnic area, and breathtaking views (stay to watch the Marco Island pelicans). The best part: it’s free!

Goodland Boat Park

Goodland Boat Park Website

Address: 740 Palm Point Dr, Goodland, FL 34140

Hours of Operation: 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday-Sunday

Phone Number: (239) 389-4247

This park features a two lane boat launch, ample trailer parking, covered picnic space, fishing pier and cleaning station, and life jackets for loan.

Calusa Island Marina

Calusa Island Marina Website

Address: 385 Angler Drive, Goodland, FL 34140

Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday-Sunday, Year-Round

Phone Number: (239) 394-3668

The marina offers boat storage, rentals, and maintenance, as well as yachts for sale. If you’re staying on Marco Island for an extended vacation or getaway, getting a membership at the Calusa Island Marina may be well worth your investment. Wet and dry boat storage is available for month-to-month rental, and you can opt-in for fuel discounts if you’re really dedicated. If the membership life doesn’t coincide with your traveling plans, a boat ramp is available to the public.

Lucky Lobster Co. Marina

Lucky Lobster’s Website

Address: 3200 San Marco Road (CR 92), Goodland, FL

Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday-Sunday

Phone Number: 239-642-1920

Conveniently located at the Goodland Bay Bridge, this marina is close to restaurants, shops, and water sports activities, and a network of inland waterways. Lucky Lobster offers slip rentals, a boat ramp, and an eatery you don’t want to miss during your stay.

Marco Island Marina

Marco Island Marina Website

Address: 1402 N Collier Blvd, Marco Island, FL 34145

Phone Number: (239) 642-2531

This marina features 121 boat slips for rent, pump-out facilities, showers, restrooms, a pool, a dog run, barbecue grills, and a boat ramp one mile away. It boasts WiFi, showers, restrooms, pump-out service, a dog park, a pool, barbecue grills, and more!

Collier Boulevard Boating Park

Collier Boulevard Boating Park Website

Address: 3620 Collier Boulevard, Naples, FL 34113

Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM to Sunset, Monday-Sunday, Year-round

Phone Number: (239) 252-4000

Located just north of the Marco Island Bridge, this public water access point is open sunrise to sunset. While there is a fee to use the launching ramp, there are also 77 boat parking spaces available (which fill up quickly during the season, so arrive early!). No fuel is sold at this location, but boasts easy access to the island and the nearby Snook Inn restaurant, a boater favorite.

Permits to Launch on Marco Island

Boat ramp permits are necessary for visitors and locals alike, but are fairly easy to obtain. Simply call the Collier County Parks and Recreation at (239)-353-0404 or contact the department via their official website.

Basic Waterway Regulations

Below is the essential list of boating safety precautions and requirements, taken directly from the City of Marco Island’s website. Be sure you’re familiar with all regulations before launching.

Idle Speed / No Wake in all waterway canals, bays, and within 500 feet of a seawall. *Idle Speed / No Wake is defined as the minimum speed required to maintain steerage.
Idle Speed / No Wake within 500 feet of all Marco Island beaches. Any boating activity in beach areas should be kept to boating directly to and from the beach and well away from any swimmers.
United States Coast Guard “rules of the road” apply to all navigational channels. Marco Island channels are marked with the standard RED markers (triangular) and GREEN markers (square) using the conventional “red-right returning” system.
Operation of a boat while intoxicated is prohibited.
All boats must conform to United States Coast Guard Regulations.
All boats must be properly registered and documented.
Mooring to or damaging any navigational marker is prohibited.
Anchoring or any other activity that interferes with navigation in channels is prohibited.
Discharge of untreated sewage is prohibited in Florida waters.

Additionally, it is essential for all new boaters on Marco Island to be familiar with all of the bridge clearances, as there are 14 throughout the gulf water, crossing various bodies of water. Boaters need to know the specs of their individual boats as well as the route they plan on taking so as to not put themselves and others in danger.

Last, but certainly not least, if you are renting a boat during your time on Marco Island, you will need to obtain a temporary certificate to get on the water. Luckily, there are unlimited attempts available, and printing your certificate is easy!

Jet Skis: A Different Way to Enjoy Marco Island

If you’re excited to experience Florida gulf waters, but aren’t thrilled about boat rental and usage costs, WOW Marco Island Jet Ski Tours & Rentals has good news for you! Our jet ski experiences are unlike anything a boat can offer. We will take you on a tour around the entire property of Marco Island. You will be able to reach areas that boats are unable to access, and see the beautiful landscape from a new point of view.

On WOW’s Jet Ski tours, riders take an exhilarating ride through the only subtropical mangrove forest in the United States. All participants will be given a safety briefing and a lesson on how to use their personal watercraft before setting out onto the water.

First Person View of Yellow Jet Ski in Marco Island

First person view of jet ski in Marco Island

If it’s your first time riding a jet ski, there are a few things you should know about before jumping on!

Jet skis, much like anything else, can be dangerous if not operated properly. Luckily jet skis are pretty straight forward and are tons of fun!

First things first; safety.

Always wear a life jacket. You may think you’re too cool for one or you’re a good swimmer, however, they are required for your safety. Jet skis are great, but it’s important to be safe while riding one.

Understand how jet skis work. If you’ve ridden a jet ski before, you can skip this tip. However, it is important to know that not all jet skis are made equally. If you are riding a different jet ski, it is important to note the differences.

Jet skis typically average up to 65 mph, but can climb to over 80 mph… that’s fast! So it’s important to understand how they work before getting on one. Reference to “Getting Started” below to understand the basics.

Be Prepared. This includes having sufficient gas in the tank, a properly sized life vest on, either a wet suit or dry suit depending on how cold it is, eye protection, as well as knowledge of what to do in certain situations – such as if it flips. You will get wet and you may fall off, so be prepared! But don’t let that shy you away from getting on!

For first time riders and those riders who just need a refresher, below we have listed out seven things you need to know before getting on a jet ski.

1. Getting Started

Straddle the jet ski seat by climbing on via the back so as not to tip the watercraft. Hold the handlebars tightly but not too tight. Get comfortable in that position before starting the engine.

Turn the jet ski on and push the throttle on the handlebars. Slowly begin to push the throttle to get the feel of it. Only go about 5 to 10 mph until you get comfortable and are away from the shoreline. There is typically a marina zone where you are meant to move slowly, just like a car through a residential area.

Once you are out of the way of boats and the shore, begin to gradually pick up speed as you start to feel more comfortable. Remember to look up and out and not down at the handlebars as you go, and hold the handlebars straight for the majority of your ride.

2. Remain in Your Comfort Zone

As you get more comfortable you may want to begin to speed up, but do so as you feel comfortable. Don’t try anything too crazy right off the bat if you’re a first-timer.

As you get more comfortable, practice turning the jet ski. You need to accelerate into the turn, however, it is gradual and not drastic.

Don’t turn too quick or sharp because jet skis can tip over! That means, you better be prepared to rock the jet ski back to an upright position before water starts to collect in the engine. If it does, you’re not only sunk, you’re bank account will hate you.

Be careful of wakes as they can make for a bumpy ride the faster you go over them.

3. Standing vs Sitting

You may have seen people standing on jet skis before. Some jet skis are even made for standing only, however depending on your comfort level, it may be best to stay seated for the entirety while riding.

Standing gives you less control and a greater chance of you falling off.

However, if you are feeling uncomfortable by staying in the seat for too long or you are moving over choppy waters, standing for a few seconds could help.

4.Turning

As stated above, it is important to keep your hand on the throttle when turning. Don’t turn too sharp or you could flip it.

Also, you don’t want to let off the gas if you are trying to turn, especially if you are turning away from danger. Keeping your speed will help you to maneuver easily and quickly in the intended direction.

5. Wakes

Riding a wake is part of jet skiing. As boats or other jet skis go by they will leave a wake behind them, some big and some small.

Maintaining a relative speed is important when going over wakes. If you feel comfortable riding a jet ski you may be able to catch air and jump wakes, however, this takes time and practice to master the timing of it.

If a wake seems too big, let off on the throttle and just ride the wake out until the water smooths out. Don’t become anxious as your balance when riding out a wake is very important.

6. How to Get Back On

Maybe you fell off, or maybe you jumped off the jet ski. Either way, you need to know how to get back on the jet ski while in the water. This is called re-boarding yourself.

In order to do so, you can easily swim to the back of the jet ski, grab the handle that is back, and pull yourself up onto the back deck of the jet ski. If you are riding with another person, allow one person to board at a time. The other person can then help board the second.

If you have had many failed attempts at boarding the jet ski, take a break, catch your breath, and re-evaluate the best way to board. This may take some upper body strength to maneuver.

7. How to Be a Good Passenger

If you’re riding tandem with another person on a jet ski it is important not to disrupt the driver by holding on to their arms or shoulders while they drive.

Holding the driver’s waist or the bottom/back part of their life jacket allows both people to ride comfortably and hang on. Don’t be too tense either, relax your arms and enjoy the ride!

Riding a jet ski can be an extremely enjoyable experience for you as long as you remember to be safe, learn the basics, and stay in your comfort zone!

If you’re looking for an incredible jet ski experience, WOW Marco Island Jet Ski Tours and Rentals is the place to go! Before we start our tour or your rental, we ensure you are fully comfortable with riding a jet ski. We’ll go over all of the safety precautions and features so you know what to expect and the actions to take to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.

Remember to have fun while on your jet ski!

6 Marco Island Boat Ramps for Launching Boats